Native Plant Society Monthly Meeting

At our next monthly meeting, Dr. Kolb will discuss threats to ponderosa pine forests in northern Arizona, strategies to mitigate threats, and anticipated future forest conditions. Tom is Professor of Forest Ecophysiology in the School of Forestry at Northern Arizona University, where he has worked for the past 25 years. Tom teaches courses in plant identification, forest ecology, physiology, and forest health; advises graduate students; and conducts research. Tom’s research has been shaped by northern Arizona’s landscape, the land of drought and fire. Most of his research at NAU has focused on impacts of stresses such as drought, wildfire, and insect attacks on southwestern forests, including riparian, woodland, pine/oak and mixed conifer ecosystems. In addition, he conducts ecophysiological studies of sedges, grasses, herbs, and desert shrubs, because a forest is more than just trees. He currently is most focused on understanding whether and how forest management can mitigate negative impacts of climate warming on forests.

Our meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 18 at the Shepherd of the Hills Church, 1601 N. San Francisco Street, beginning at 7 p.m.