The purpose of this symposium was to explain and design the research science agenda for the future in the southern Sierras according to the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding between USDA, Forest Service-Sequoia National Forest/Giant Sequoia National Monument (FS/GSNM), and Pacific Southwest Research Station (PSW); USDI, Park Service-Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (NPS); and USDIUnited States Geological Survey-Western Ecological Research Center (USGS). The MOU states, "The parties to this agreement recognize and agree to collaboratively develop a program of research, resources management, and public education to help mitigate the impacts from and adapt to climate change effects on ecosystems of the southern Sierra Nevada."
The symposium was organized around broad scale environmental "agents of change" affecting the Southern Sierra Ecosystems which include giant sequoia groves. The array of topics the Program Committee established focus on 5 areas (agents of change):
Abstracts and visual presentations for the talks are available on the speakers page.