Sierra Speaker Series: Perspectives on Cultural Burning

In partnership with California State Parks and the Nevada County Library, the monthly Sierra Speaker Series connects folks to the rich cultural and natural history of the area. Join us at Donner Memorial State Park Visitor Center to learn and engage! Doors open at 5 pm, and the presentation is to follow at 5:30 pm. Admission is a suggested $5 donation. Light refreshments and wine sponsored by Highway 12 Winery will be available. Parking is free after 5 pm. No registration required.

What is Cultural Burning? What’s the relationship between Fire-Water-Land-Cultural Resources? What are the differences between Agency Prescribed Fire and Indigenous Cultural Burning? Cultural Fire creates community, self-healing, a sense of belonging, and a re-connectiveness to the land.

The Honorable Ron W. Goode has been the Tribal Chairman of the North Fork Mono Tribe since 1983. In May of 2025, California State University, Fresno, is honoring him with an Honorary Doctorate. In 2017-2018, Ron was the Coordinating Lead Author for the Tribal Indigenous Communities Climate Change Assessment as a new report of the California 4th Climate Change Assessment. Mr. Goode and his tribal and ecological team have conducted Cultural Burns with Sequoia Park, Bass Lake Ranger District – Sierra National Forest, Cold Springs Rancheria, Private and Tribal Lands in Mariposa with the Mariposa Miwok Tribe. Ron then takes their practical work and presents it at Universities, Colleges, Seminars, Webinars, via Zoom, and other Internet venues. Ron’s Journal writings and Webinar presentations have garnered worldwide attention.