Effectiveness Monitoring Committee

The Effectiveness Monitoring Committee (EMC) was formed in 2014 by the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board). The Board sought to create an independent committee to assess the efficacy of the Forest Practice Rules and other related laws and regulations. As an advisory body to the Board, the EMC helps implement an effectiveness monitoring program that provides an active feedback loop to policymakers, managers, agencies, and the public by soliciting robust scientific research that addresses the effectiveness of these laws at meeting resource objectives and ecological performance measures related to AB 1492.

The EMC includes representatives from academia, industry, state agencies, consulting firms, and non-profit agencies. This diverse membership reflects representatives from a wide range of California’s natural resources, including water quality, geology, wildlife, and forestry. EMC meetings occur quarterly and are open to the public. Meetings may be attended in person or virtually. Meeting registration information is posted at least ten days in advance of the meeting on this webpage under EMC News, and on the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection’s webpage under “Upcoming Webinars”.

EMC 2026/27 Research Program Request for Proposals & Grant Guidelines 
The Effectiveness Monitoring Committee (EMC) is an advisory body to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board). The EMC funds robust scientific research testing the efficacy of the California Forest Practice Rules (FPRs) and other natural resource protection statutes, laws, codes, and related regulations. Funding available for newly proposed projects is anticipated as follows: $1,111,459 over three FYs beginning in 2026/27, comprising: $261,459 in FY 2026/27; $425,000 in FY 2027/28; and $425,000 in FY 2028/29. Initial Concept Proposals are due by 5:00 PM PDT on Monday, May 18, 2026. See the Effectiveness Monitoring Committee Program Grant Guidelines for details. 

EMC DECAY RATES and FIRE BEHAVIOR of WOODY DEBRIS EMC FIELD TOUR OCTOBER 29, 2026

THE NEXT EMC MEETING IS A FIELD TOUR SCHEDULED for Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM at the CAL FIRE’s Jackson Demonstration State Forest in Mendocino County.
Members of the public may attend in person. Registration is optional; however, it will be helpful for us for planning purposes. REGISTER HERE.

This tour will take place at CAL FIRE’s Jackson Demonstration State Forest in Mendocino County. There will be multiple stops throughout the forest to look at representative sites of the project and discuss findings. Please bring water and lunch/snacks. It is recommended to dress in layers and wear sturdy shoes as we will be leaving the road a few times.

We look forward to seeing you there!

EMC News Archives

*NEW* Read the Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation “Navigating the CA Environmental Quality Act for Wood Product and Bioenergy Businesses” informational document.

 Revised Effectiveness Monitoring Committee Charter

The EMC updated its Charter in late 2024. Read the 2024 version.

2025 Strategic Plan Update
The Strategic Plan is revised by the EMC on a five-year cycle. Read the 2025 Plan.

California Grants Portal

EMC 2026/27 Research Program Request for Proposals & Grant Guidelines 
The Effectiveness Monitoring Committee (EMC) is an advisory body to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection (Board). The EMC funds robust scientific research testing the efficacy of the California Forest Practice Rules (FPRs) and other natural resource protection statutes, laws, codes, and related regulations. Funding available for newly proposed projects is anticipated as follows: $1,111,459 over three FYs beginning in 2026/27, comprising: $261,459 in FY 2026/27; $425,000 in FY 2027/28; and $425,000 in FY 2028/29. Initial Concept Proposals are due by 5:00 PM PDT on Monday, May 18, 2026. 

Kristina Wolf, Senior Environmental Scientist

Kristina.Wolf@bof.ca.gov 

 

Andrew Lawhorn, Forestry Assistant II

Andrew.Lawhorn@bof.ca.gov

The EMC includes representatives from academia, industry, state agencies, consulting firms, and non-profit agencies. The current EMC membership roster may be viewed in the following downloadable PDF: Members and Term Expiration.

2026 Meeting Materials

EMC Supported Monitoring Projects

The EMC supports research on effectiveness monitoring of the Forest Practice Rules and related regulations. Please see the EMC-Supported Projects Research Deliverables for research materials produced from EMC-supported research. See the EMC Research Program - Information for Applicants tab on this page above, for more information on funding opportunities.