Forest and fire ecologist Dr. Chad Hanson will explore one of the most misunderstood, and most ecologically important, of all forest habitat types—"snag forest habitat," which is created when patches of intense fire or drought kill most or all of the trees in areas of mature conifer forest.

While it may seem counter-intuitive, patches of dead trees, or "snags", support levels of native biodiversity and wildlife abundance that is comparable to old-growth forests. Many wildlife species have evolved to depend on snag forests for survival, and are rarely found elsewhere. But societal misunderstandings about fire in our forests, in combination with political and economic opportunism, are threatening these rare and important ecosystems.

Dr. Hanson will explain why the emerging science on snag forests is quite positive and hopeful, and how it points toward a different and better path forward--one that celebrates natural processes and benefits biodiversity and our climate by protecting forests from logging.