Lyceum Series Continues on March 19 and March 26

Date: March 14, 2011
Contact: Kyle Patterson, [phone]

 Rocky Mountain National Park Lyceum Series Continues 

2011 Lyceum Series "Trying To See The Forest For The Trees: Forest Health In The Rocky Mountains"

Saturday, March 19, 7:00 p.m. A Look Back at the 2010 Fire Season: The Cow Creek and Onahu Fires

In this overview, we will look at two fires that occurred in Rocky Mountain National Park in 2010: Cow Creek and Onahu. Have you ever wondered about the strategies and response framework the wildland fire resources in the park follow in their decision-making? Have you ever used Google Earth? This program will show how it demonstrates the sequence of events on the Cow Creek Fire. Lastly, we will showcase some of the technologies used and why they are so important to successful operations. Matt Dutton, Fire Operations Specialist, at Rocky will present this overview.  Matt began his career in 1994 as an 'on-call' wildland firefighter for the US Forest Service in La Grande, OR. He had so much fun in his first year he decided to do another, and seventeen years later he is still doing what he loves, having held positions as Hot Shot, Engine Foreman, and Fuels Crew Supervisor. In 2007, he transferred to Rocky as the Fire Operations Specialist.

Saturday, March 26, 7:00 p.m. Forest Insects and Diseases in the Rocky Mountain Region

Insects and diseases act as both indicators and regulators of the condition or "health" of forests. Bark beetles and defoliating insects cause sudden, visually dramatic damage that is readily seen from the air, while most pathogens cause gradual, insidious damage that is not as quickly noticed. No species in the forest is without problems; many insect pests and diseases are easier to manage than others. Forest species naturally have many defenses against insect pests and diseases, and usually are successful in defending themselves when they are attacked. We must remember that not all insects or microorganisms associated with trees and shrubs cause problems; some are beneficial and even may be required for the plants to grow normally. Bob Cain, Forest Entomologist for Forest Health Management from the US Forest Service Regional Office will lead the exploration of insects and diseases in our regional forests. 

The theme of the 2011 Lyceum Series is "Trying To See The Forest For The Trees: Forest Health In The Rocky Mountains." The forests in and around Rocky Mountain National Park provide wonderful benefits such as water, recreation, wildlife habitat, timber, and other forest products. They are, however, vulnerable to a wide variety of stressors. RMNP will invite regional experts to answer visitor questions on insects, diseases, exotics, invasives, wildfire, prescribed burns, ozone/pollutants, wildlife/biodiversity, watersheds, soils, and forests as indicators of climate change.

The Lyceum schedule runs through May 14. Financial support for the lyceum series is provided by the park's nonprofit partner, the Rocky Mountain Nature Association. Programs are free and open to the public. They are held at 7:00 p.m. at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center auditorium in Rocky Mountain National Park.

For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park please call the park's Information Office at [phone].