In the fall of 2003, the Cedar Fire burned over 24,000 acres (>98%) of Cuyamaca Rancho State Park.  Fire intensity was so great that conifer trees with in the park experienced greater than 95% mortality. The seed bank and cone-producing forest canopy were nearly destroyed resulting in small patchy pockets of naturally regenerating mixed conifer seedlings and saplings.  Post-fire vegetation is dominated by herbs, shrubs and re-sprouting oak species and there is a possibility that without active reforestation, site conversion to shade-intolerant brush and exotic annuals could become permanent.

On Monday, November 10, 2014 the Botany Society will feature Mike Wells, former Superintendent of the Anza Borrego Desert State Park, and project manager for reforestation of Cuyamaca State Park. He will present the results of the project comparing several different approaches for reforesting portions of the fire that ravaged the Park in 2003. 

Where: Discovery Lab, Visitor Center, 200 Palm Canyon Drive, Borrego Springs, CA 92004
When: Monday, November 10, 2014
Time: 10:00 to 11:30 AM
Cost: Free; public is invited