Rocky Mountain National Park Lyceum Series Continues on April 30

Date: April 26, 2011
Contact: Kyle Patterson, 970-586-1363

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

Saturday, April 30, 7:00 p.m.
Limber Pine, White Pine Blister Rust and Hazard Trees in Rocky Mountain National Park
Limber pine plays a critical role in forest ecosystems in the park and the sensitive species is currently threatened by white pine blister rust, mountain pine beetles, and a changing climate. Research is being conducted in the park to help conserve this species. As a direct result of mountain pine beetle infestation throughout the park, hazard tree management has become a more urgent need with many visible impacts to frontcountry areas of the park. Chris Dahl, Rocky Mountain National Park's forester and program lead for forest health activities, will discuss these topics and anticipated changes to the frontcountry forested landscape in the park.

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 p.m. at the Beaver Meadows Visitor Center auditorium in 
Rocky Mountain National Park.

For more information about Rocky Mountain National Park please call [phone].