Grass Valley, CAlif. April 4, 2018 – On Tuesday, April 17, the Sierra Science Lecture Series at the Nevada County Campus will present a timely and important discussion titled: Water Supply and the Sierra Nevada: Why Vegetation Matters! led by Dr. Ryan Bart. This lecture is free and the public is invited and encouraged to attend. The lecture will be held in the Multi-purpose room, N12-103, and runs from 6:30 – 7:30 pm. Come early for a meet and greet and refreshments beginning at 6pm.

In this talk, Dr. Ryan Bart will explore the role of vegetation in the Sierra Nevada water cycle and the implications of vegetation change on the amount of water that is generated from the Sierra. Due to higher temperatures associated with climate change, vegetation across the Sierra is in transition as snowpacks decrease, drought severity increases, and fire regimes are altered. Ryan will discuss the hydrological consequences of vegetation change, highlighting what is known about how the recent forest mortality event is affecting the amount and timing of streamflow and what the future may hold as temperatures further increase.

About our Speaker:

Ryan Bart is an ecohydrologist who examines the links between hydrology, vegetation and disturbances under different climate regimes and management practices. Ryan received his Ph.D. in 2014 in Geography from a joint doctoral program between UC Santa Barbara and San Diego State University. He is currently based at UC Merced where he works as a postdoctoral researcher on a project that is disentangling the effect of forest fuel treatments and drought on streamflow in the King’s River Experimental Watersheds.

The Sierra Science lecture Series is a great FREE educational opportunity open to all. This is an evening to learn more about our local environment and to discuss questions and concerns with learned lecturers.

The Sierra College Nevada County Campus is located at 250 Sierra College Dr. in Grass Valley. There is a $3 parking fee on campus. Parking Permits can be purchased at the Kiosk located at the entrance to the campus.

For more information, contact Professor Jason Giuliani at: jgiuliani@sierracollege.edu or (530) 274-5275.