In today's episode, we explore the innovative Cone Corps program, a groundbreaking initiative by American Forests aimed at addressing climate change and revolutionizing the future of California's forests. Joining us is Bridget Mulkerin, the Manager of the California Cone Corps, who shares valuable insights into this visionary workforce development program.
The Cone Corps is a vital response to the urgent need for sustainable reforestation in California. With a focus on workforce development, the program tackles one of the biggest barriers to reforestation – the shortage of conifer seeds. The goal is ambitious: restoring 1.5 million acres of forest by 2040. To achieve this, California's seedling production capacity must more than double, and the Cone Corps is at the forefront of building a skilled workforce to make it happen.
Bridget takes us through the program's origins and its forward-thinking approach, addressing both immediate seed shortages and the ongoing need for skilled professionals. We reflect on the Cone Corps as not just a short-term solution but a pathway to a sustainable, resilient future.
Join us in this insightful episode, as we commend the dedication of Bridget Mulkerin and the entire Cone Corps team in shaping a greener, more resilient future for California's forests. Subscribe, share, and stay tuned for more episodes as we journey through the heart of reforestation, one seed at a time. Find educational resources and additional deep dive content for this episode on our website at conezonepod.wordpress.com.
References:
A giant task: fixing California’s reforestation pipeline - American Forests. (2023, November 9). American Forests. https://www.americanforests.org/article/a-giant-task-fixing-californias-reforestation-pipeline/
Plachta, A. (2023, November 14). Meet the daring tree climbers needed to replant 1.5 million acres of California’s burnt forests. Sacramento Bee. https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article281222828.html
Additional Material:
What is thought leadership?
https://www.wgu.edu/blog/what-thought-leadership2012.html
Community Science Resources
https://www.fs.usda.gov/naturewatch/citizen-science.php
Link to download Survey123
The producers of The Cone Zone strongly believe in the value of open discourse, and the right to freedom of expression. We would like to remind listeners that the views and comments expressed by our guests are theirs and theirs alone, and do not necessarily represent the opinions and perspectives of the Cone Zone’s project sponsors or affiliates, including American Forests, the California Climate Action Corps and California Volunteers.