Much of California’s water supply originates in the Sierra Nevada, making it dependent on the health of forests. But those forests are suffering from widespread tree mortality and other ecosystem degradation resulting mostly from the growing frequency and severity of droughts and wildfires.

On our Headwaters Tour July 24-25, we will visit Eldorado and Tahoe national forests to learn about new forest management practices, including wildfire prevention and recovery.

Among the tour highlights:

• A stop at UC Berkeley’s Blodgett Forest Research Station in the American River watershed, where experts are studying tree growth, forest succession, harvesting costs, water yield, forest insect and disease dynamics, forest ecology and wildlife population dynamics.
• Experts with the U.S. Forest Service and several state and local agencies will explain their work, their challenges and what the future holds for forest management. 
• We’ll get a glimpse of that future when we visit a pilot project in the Yuba River watershed where Blue Forest Conservation is managing a collaborative effort to invest in restoration and apply the latest research on management practices.

The 2-day, 1-night tour with an overnight in Lake Tahoe travels up the Sierra and around Lake Tahoe to learn about upper watersheds and the critical role they play in water supply and quality across California. We will also discuss meadow restoration, climate change, wildfire impacts and water quality.

Space is limited and registration closes soon, so don’t miss your chance to experience the beauty of California’s forests firsthand and their effect on our statewide water supply. Click here to register!