Grantee research will produce critical information and tools to support forest landowners, resource agencies, fire management organizations, and policy makers
Sacramento – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Forest Health Research Program has awarded $4.4 million to support 13 scientific research studies that will improve our understanding of fire severity, post-fire restoration, and effectiveness of forest treatments.
Research projects will produce scientific publications, outreach and education events, and decision support tools.
“The research funded through the Forest Health Research Grant Program is important to our department and to statewide collaborative efforts like the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force,” said Chief Matthew Reischman, CAL FIRE Deputy Director of Resource Management. “Effective forest and fire management depends on a solid scientific foundation, and the results of these studies will ensure that we continue to build a strong foundation for the future.”
Grantees include the University of California, Cal Poly, University of Washington, Utah State University, North Carolina State University, and San Mateo Resource Conservation District.
The Forest Health Research Program was established as part of California Climate Investments to answer important questions that further our knowledge in forest health and resilience, impacts of wildfire on communities and the environment, science-based tools that aid in land management planning and best practices, effectiveness of fuel treatments, carbon storage and uptake, and many other topics.
Funding for these grants comes from Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds through the California Climate Investments program and supports the goals of the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force.
A complete list of the awarded projects and their summaries can be found on the Forest Health Research website. The Forest Health Research program also hosts monthly webinars highlighting funded research projects.
