The Positive Impacts of a Healthy Forest with Don Gaede.
Thursday, August 5th at 5:30 PM *Virtual
Description: In this Mind Walk, Don Gaede discusses the positive climate impacts of healthy forests as a carbon sink, and the negative impacts of widespread forest fires, exacerbated by climate change. This includes the impact of natural forests vs urban forests, and efforts across our country and locally to increase forest coverage in both areas. He speaks about the psychological benefits of forests, including the concept of “forest bathing”.
Additionally, Don discusses the Fix Our Forest Act, a bill currently in Congress with bipartisan support; our group is asking our congressional representatives to support it. The bill:
- aims to reduce the risk of wildfires by promoting sustainable forest management practices
- focuses on making forests more resilient to the effects of climate change, such as droughts and extreme weather events
- encourages thinning of overgrown forests and restoration of damaged ecosystems to improve resilience against pests and diseases,
- allocates funds for fire prevention measures, including controlled burns and clearing brush and for firefighting efforts to ensure rapid response to wildfires.
- is expected to create jobs in forestry, conservation, and fire management sectors.
- bolsters industries reliant on healthy forests, such as timber and recreation.
About the Presenter: Dr. Don Gaede graduated from Loma Linda University School of Medicine and completed a vascular medicine fellowship at Cleveland Clinic. He moved to San Luis Obispo five years ago after practicing internal and vascular medicine in Fresno for many years.
Dr. Gaede serves as leader of the San Luis Obispo County chapter of Citizens’ Climate Education. He is married and has two children and two grandchildren. He volunteers weekly at the SLO Noor Medical Clinic.