Improving resilience and reducing wildfire risk in Pine Valley

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In a collaborative effort with Dixie National Forest, Sarah Barga, a research botanist with the Rocky Mountain Research Station, outlines a project focused on building ecosystem resilience and resistance in Utah’s Pine Valley Ranger District. A team of specialists from the National Forest system, Utah State University, and Rocky Mountain Research station are examining the roles of invasive species, local vegetation, and fire history in managing this key landscape. The project launched in 2024 with initial ground truthing surveys to build out localized strategies to support the recovery of native understory plants resistant to invasives like cheatgrass and resilient to wildfire. The work underscores the significance of adapting efforts at the local level and the role of partnerships in integrating knowledge into future planning for improved management outcomes.