Forests and trees are dynamic and living organisms. Like people, they are subject to “disturbances;” events that test and develop resilience. For trees and forests in Banff National Park, the most defining disturbance is fire. Fire can burn slow and low, fast and hot, or any temperature in between. Like an issue facing an individual or organization, fire motivates/demands a response. The response varies depending on the type of tree, the intensity of the fire and the condition of the forest as a whole – just as a person’s response to a disturbance varies according to the individual’s personality, the intensity of the challenge and the condition of the community to which that individual belongs. Understanding the dynamic of fire and how trees in Banff have co-evolved with this important process will provide insights into what resilience means to forests, to you and your community.
This session takes place outside, on Banff Centre campus.