Last week, Angel Saavedra (R4) and Beth Willhite (R6), along with International Programs, were in Chile to conduct a week-long assessment of mortality in the branches of the Araucaria araucana, a national monument in Chile.

The Forest Service team met with the Chilean National Forestry Corporation, researchers from the University of California in Davis and other research institutions to analyze the cause of branch mortality and discuss recommendations for protection of the tree populations.

The assessment was conducted at the request of Chief Tidwell and Aaron Cavieres, executive director of CONAF, and sponsored by International Programs.