OLLI Bonus: Restoring Resilience: Collaborative Science for Colorado’s Post-Fire Forests (DRAKE HALL)

As wildfires grow larger and more intense across the West, understanding how to restore and sustain healthy forests has never been more critical. Camille Stevens-Rumann, interim director of the Colorado Forest Restoration Institute (CFRI) and former wildland firefighter, will share how the institute is leading efforts to guide forest recovery after fire. Established by Congress in 2004 and based at Colorado State University, CFRI bridges science and practice by connecting researchers, land managers, and communities to develop actionable, locally relevant strategies for forest resilience. From assessing post-fire regeneration and testing innovative replanting techniques to training the next generation of natural resource professionals, CFRI’s work helps ensure that restored forests continue to support water, wildlife, and people across the region. This talk will highlight how collaborative, science-based approaches are reshaping forest management and preparing Colorado’s landscapes—and communities—for a future defined by change. 

 

*Camille Stevens-Rumann, Ph.D., is an associate professor of Forest and Rangeland Stewardship at Colorado State University.  Her research revolves around wildfires – how and why they burn, what we can do to manage and mitigate burning, how forests recover post-fire, and what we can expect of forests in the changing climate. She also examines the impact of land management practices on forests.  Her work is published in the Journal of Forestry, Forest Ecology and Management, and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, among others. Stevens-Rumann’s work has also been cited more than 2,300 times since 2019.  She received her B.S. in biology and environmental studies from Brandeis University, her M.S. in forestry from Northern Arizona University, and her Ph.D. in natural resources from the University of Idaho. 

Notes

• A current OLLI membership is required to register for all courses and lectures.
• If you do not have a Spring 2026 membership, one will be added to your cart at checkout.
• OLLI membership fees and course tuition are critical to the Institute's sustainability and are non-refundable.

Recommendations

Read “Restoring the Forest:  Students help examine best practices after wildfire”.  State Magazine article from September 2025 by Jayme DeLoss at https://magazine.csusystem.edu/2025/09/23/restoring-the-forest/.