Description
Join Chris Earle, Michael Kauffmann, and Michael Murray for a comprehensive introduction to the 5-needle pines of western North America!
This 2-part webinar will explore the natural history of six closely related conifers of western North America. We will start with a brief overview of conifers including evolutionary, natural and cultural history. We will follow this by diving into pines generally and then the 5-needle pines of the West including stories of the gigantic sugar pine, the iconic western white pine, the ancient limber pine, the world’s oldest living thing, the bristlecone pine and its close relative the foxtail pine, and high elevation whitebark pine. We will wrap up the series with a conservation discussion for all 5-needle pines of Western North America.
Part 1: Intro to conifers, intro to pines, sugar pine, and whitebark pine
Part 2: Limber pine, bristlecone pine, foxtail pines, and 5-needle pine conservation
All webinars are available for viewing for three months after purchase.
With purchase, you will receive a coupon code for 40% off to purchase Conifers of the Pacific Slope to use as a class reference.
Your Teachers
Chris Earle is a forest ecologist based in Olympia, Washington. He is the webmaster of conifers.org and co-author of Trees of the Western U.S. He has traveled, photographed, and written widely about the world’s conifer species.
Michael Kauffmann is a kindergarten through college educator in Humboldt County where he lives with his wife and two young boys. He has served as an ecologist with the CNPS Vegetation Program mapping rare conifers including whitebark pine, yellow-cedar, Pacific silver fir, and bigcone Douglas-fir. He is also the author of Conifer Country, Conifers of the Pacific Slope, and Field Guide to Manzanitas. He is a new board member for the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation.
Michael Murray is a forest pathologist for the BC Ministry Lands and Natural Resources in Nelson, BC. He has worked as Terrestrial Ecologist, Crater Lake National Park as well as Ecologist for the Oregon Natural Heritage Program. Michael received his Ph.D in whitebark pine fire ecology-forest health from the University of Idaho and an M.S degree in natural resources from Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. Michael’s interests include whitebark pine dynamics and long term monitoring, climate driven tree declines, and ameliorating forest root diseases. Michael broadcasts a weekly radio show and continues his quest to muster pleasing sounds on pedal steel guitar. He is a long-time board member for the Whitebark Pine Ecosystem Foundation.
Joanie (verified owner) –
I loved this class and highly recommend their courses (this is my second course; loved the 5 part Fungi class also). The teachers are very knowledgeable, interesting and fun. Part of the class costs are donated to grassroots groups working on
projects relevant to the course. Great use of Zoom and time inside. Highly recommend it!
Jeff Dillion (verified owner) –
Another great Backcountry Press webinar! If you love to learn, you can’t go wrong signing up for ANY of their offerings. Unfortunately, after the last class you are always left thinking: “I want to learn MORE!”
This particular webinar is a great overview of the morphology of 5-needle pines, particularly how climate change is affecting their ranges.
I developed a love of Foxtail and (gnarly) Whitebark pines backpacking in the high country of the Central Sierra Nevada in a former life. I really enjoyed learning more about the species.
Thanks to Michael, Chris & Michael for an entertaining and informative couple of evenings, and I’m looking forward to the next webinar!
Roger Peet (verified owner) –
Very much enjoyed this, it’s really whetted my appetite to go searching for some of these magnificent trees this year. Accessibly presented and engaging information, some really fantastic photography and a palpable love for the species in question.
Dan Dunphy (verified owner) –
Knowledge and enthusiasm of the speakers and guests was highly appreciated. I’m more inspired now to go exploring the high country for those 5-needle pines.