Natural History Wanderings

Abstract: What happens in the first days, weeks, and months after a fire in the Santa Barbara frontcountry leaves nothing but burnt stems and ash behind? What does the chaparral look like a year later? These are the questions naturalist and photographer Bryant Baker set out to answer during his yearlong exploration of this burned landscape. Through this virtual visual journey, see the unique phases of chaparral regrowth, learn about the different strategies plants use to cope with wildfire, and find out what lies ahead for this beautiful area.

Biography: Bryant Baker is the conservation director at Los Padres ForestWatch, a nonprofit conservation organization that works to protect the Los Padres National Forest and other public lands along the Central Coast. He also specializes in fire ecology, spending much of his time in post-fire habitats documenting regrowth, analyzing GIS data, making fire maps, and educating elected officials, landowners, and the general public about how best to coexist with this unique force of nature. He has a Master of Science, with published papers on topics ranging from aquatic biogeochemistry to chaparral conservation, and he has over a decade of experience researching and working on a variety of conservation issues. In addition to his work at ForestWatch, Bryant also conducts research with the California Chaparral Institute, where he focuses on broadening our understanding of native shrublands and the threats they face throughout the state. He is a self-described plant nerd and nature photographer, and you can follow his educational adventures on Instagram (@bryant.the.shrublander).

Join Zoom Meeting: https://cnps-org.zoom.us/j/98684333077?pwd=R0ZJRlUxUW45c0RUV2pOdEJ6TnZkUT09

Meeting ID: 986 8433 3077
Passcode: 718274
Find your local number: https://cnps-org.zoom.us/u/abDCvQqqEb