Natural resource managers face the tremendous challenge of developing and implementing management actions that help ecosystems respond to climate change. Forestry stakeholders in the City of Durango, Colorado were invited to participate in a one-day workshop exploring climate change impacts and adaptation strategies for the City of Durango's Community Forests. This workshop took place at the Durango Public Library from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM on Monday, December 2 2019.
Workshop Goals
- Provide information on the current and anticipated effects of climate change on the City of Durango Community Forests,
- Describe resources and tools that can be used to integrate climate change into management,
- Outline adaptation concepts and strategies in the context of sustainable forest management, and
- Identify actions that enhance the ability of forests and other ecosystems to adapt to changing conditions.
Presentations
The City of Durango Parks and Recreation helped set the stage for the workshop with a presentation on the Durango Community Forest Management Plan by Scott McClain, Assistant Parks Director. Emile Elias, Director, Southwest Climate Hub & Research Hydrologist, USDA ARS – Jornada Experimental Range, gave a presentation on regional and local climate change impacts and vulnerabilities for Durango's community forests.
Partners from the USDA Forest Service and The Nature Conservancy also traveled from Washington and New Mexico to provide information on tools and adaptation examples for "climate-ready trees." Andrew Bower, Area Geneticist and Pacific Northwest Region WBP Restoration Program Lead, USDA Forest Service, covered tree genetics and the Seedlot Selection Tool. Sarah Hurteau, Urban Conservation Director, The Nature Conservancy, presented an example of how the City of Albuquerque, NM has been selecting "Climate Ready Trees for Albuquerque's Urban Forest."
This active, hands-on training is being organized by the City of Durango Parks and Recreation Department and Sustainability Division, Colorado State University, the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, and the USDA Southwest Climate Hub.



