Agencies to discuss Great Basin natural resource issues, research

Natural resource issues facing the Great Basin of Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Oregon and California — and the research behind solutions — will be at the forefront of conversation next month during the annual Great Basin Consortium Conference.

The conference, “The Great Basin: A Landscape Under Fire,” will take place at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Joe Crowley Student Union. Some of the issues the groups will tackle involve sage grouse, fire, and climate change adaptation strategies.

The consortium of six organizations representing more than two dozen agencies and institutions who study, manage and protect the Great Basin will hold informative presentations, workshops, panel discussions and meetings at the two-day conference Dec. 9 and 10. The topics include current research projects being conducted in the Great Basin and emerging natural resource issues.

The Great Basin Consortium is an informal organization of partners who coordinate and collaborate on science delivery in the Great Basin. Its mission it is to increase communication and coordination among partner organizations in order to enhance the effectiveness of their research, management, outreach and funding activities.

Research includes scientific studies, science delivery and science application. Management includes land uses such as grazing and restoration activities prescribed fire, weed control and seeding. Management also includes identifying priority treatment areas from landscape assessments, project planning, on-the-ground implementation and post-treatment monitoring/evaluation. Outreach includes disseminating science-based information by conducting education and extension activities including stakeholder forums, workshops and symposia.

The conference features presentations by researchers from the U.S. Forest Service, University of Nevada, Reno, U.S. Geological Survey, Nevada Department of Wildlife and others.

For information about the conference, contact Christina Clack at 775-682-8403 or visit the conference website, http://environment.unr.edu/consortium/conference3.html.