Forests: The Key to a Healthy Watershed
Deep in the heart of the forest, trees are hard at work. They anchor soils, help regulate the water cycle, and release oxygen into the atmosphere. Forests do all this and more while providing homes for countless species of animals, insects, and plants. They also give us humans a place to relax and recharge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It's no wonder why forests are often referred to as the lungs of the Earth.
Our headwater forests act as natural sponges, collecting and filtering rainfall and snowmelt before releasing it slowly into streams and rivers. This process is important for two reasons. First, the entire watershed is more resilient against floods and other natural disasters when forests are healthy. Second, by releasing water slowly, forests help avoid droughts downstream by maintaining a steadier flow of water in rivers during the dry season.
From forests to floodplains, meadows, and rivers, all watershed ecosystems rely on one another to function in full health. Simply put, when our forests are healthy, so too are our rivers.
Unfortunately, the Tuolumne watershed's forests continue to be at risk of burning at extreme rates due to poor past management practices, such as unsustainable clear-cutting followed by decades of fire suppression. As a result of these practices, the forests today are dense with small trees and brush that serve as kindling for catastrophic wildfires. In addition, important meadows that once served as buffers against fires have been lost due to excessive grazing, clear-cutting, and development. All of these factors have contributed to making our watershed one of the most fire-prone in California. The good news is we're working to change that!
While the problems facing our watershed may seem daunting, we are at the forefront of regional work to increase the pace and scale of forest restoration. Responsible forest management can create conditions that will help prevent future catastrophic wildfires while allowing room for healthier growth. Although it will take time, we can restore our Tuolumne watershed to health by working together.
Learn more about our forest and meadow restoration by clicking here.
