Project Profile: Reduce Forest Vulnerability to Drought, Fire, and Other Effects of Climate Change in Sierra Parks

Giant sequoia trees in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

NPS

Inflation Reduction Act
Resilience | FY24-25 $2,261,100

The National Park Service (NPS) will address impacts of climate change, drought, and wildfire on giant sequoia, old-growth, mixed conifer forests, and wildlife in three parks in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The project will complete assessments and develop treatment plans to restore and maintain climate and wildfire resilience.

Why? The NPS aims to reduce climate change vulnerability in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and Yosemite National Park by increasing scientific understanding of local factors influencing drought susceptibility, wildfire risk, and genetic and landscape-scale drivers of drought and disease in key conifer species. This information will be used to select sites for fuel reduction through mechanical means and prescribed fire, as well as increase drought and disease resilience by reducing stand densities.

What else? By updating scientific information on climatic, fire, and disease drivers, the parks can ensure that resources are prioritized for use in areas most likely to resist or adapt to climatic changes, thereby increasing forest resilience to climate change and wildfire.

About the Inflation Reduction Act

The Inflation Reduction Act provides the National Park Service with an historic opportunity to address critical ecosystem resilience, restoration, and environmental planning needs. Projects funded in national parks represent broad-scale and impactful resource investments across every corner of out nation—from Alaska to Florida to Maine.