Smith Fellow, Joan Dudney, is requesting an extension to complete her research on strategies to support whitebark pine conservation in the Sierra Nevada. Whitebark pine is a keystone species now listed under the Endangered Species Act due to outbreaks of mortality agents, including white pine blister rust (WPBR) and mountain pine beetle (MPB). This project is the first of its kind in the Sierra Nevada, aiming to pinpoint the traits that make some trees more resilient to key mortality agents. The results from this research will directly shape future restoration efforts—guiding managers to select, protect, and propagate the most resistant trees.

The extension will allow the completion of essential components of the project, including:

• Supporting a graduate student to conduct detailed lab work focused on resin duct anatomy and other tree defense traits. This work is key to understanding how trees balance growth and defense.
• Contribute to publication costs from this project.

The timeline: May 2025 - May2026, which will cover lab analyses and student work, including stable isotope analysis and dendrochronology.

This extension is vital to fulfilling the project’s original scope, which aims to provide actionable recommendations for the California Whitebark Pine Conservation Strategy and future restoration planning. The proposed work will ensure that the Fellow can deliver high-quality, management-relevant outcomes.