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California’s Urban Forests in a Changing Environment
November 4, 2021 @ 5:00 pm - 6:30 pm
Dr. Ritter will describe his 20 years working to understand patterns and change in California’s diverse urban forests. He will describe research involving the California Urban Forest Inventory project and SelecTree. Climate change has and will continue to affect the state’s urban areas. Can we predict how urban tree species will respond to increasing temperature and variable precipitation? Ritter will discuss patterns and trends in tree selection and considerations for helping to ensure a healthy urban forest for California cities in a time of climate change and decreasing biodiversity. What should we consider when choosing a tree species for planting? Carbon sequestration potential, aesthetics, water use, provenance, and culture all play a role. Stay after the talk to pick up one of Dr. Ritter’s books or bring your own to have it signed.
Dr. Matt Ritter: Website / Instagram / Twitter
Dr. Matt Ritter is a botany professor in the Biological Sciences Department at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California, where he studies California’s native plants and trees in the urban forest. He’s the author of several fiction and non-fiction books, including the best selling guide to California’s flora, California Plants: A guide to our Iconic Flora. He also wrote the funniest and best-selling guide to California’s urban forest, A Californian’s Guide to the Trees among Us (Heyday, 2011). He won the Cal Poly’s Distinguished Teaching Award and the International Society of Arboriculture Award for Excellence in Education. He’s an avid woodworker, mason, and gardener.
COVID-19 Information
Our space is well ventilated and the glass walls of the La Kretz Garden Pavilion will be open to further increase air circulation. Out of an abundance of caution, we ask that all attendees wear a mask during this event and to bring proof of vaccination with them. We are planning to record this event as well to make it available virtually after the event—details to follow.
RSVP / Tickets
This event is free, but seating is limited—RSVP required to reserve a seat.
Plan Your Visit & Parking
Check our website for more information on planning your visit and parking. The Botanical Garden closes at 5pm, so come early to walk around and explore!