Whitebark Institute’s new drone program is adding a cutting-edge layer to our science-based fuels reduction work in the Eastern Sierra.
In the first year of fuels reduction work under the Eastern Sierra Climate & Communities Resilience Project (ESCCRP), we’re using drone technology to monitor forest health, assess the efficacy of forest health treatments, and improve the efficiency of our work. These drones are equipped with both an RGB (standard color) camera and a multispectral sensor, helping us gather data to piece together a more comprehensive view of the forest.The data collected will help us answer key questions about forest change:
- Where is tree mortality occurring, and how is it spreading?
- How effective are our treatments in slowing forest health decline and what can we do to improve?
- Are we meeting our desired forest structure after fuels reduction?
🛰️ In the Field
Our drone is already flying missions over areas like Junkyard and Red Fir units in the Mammoth Lakes area as part of the first phase of the Eastern Sierra Climate & Communities Resilience Project (ESCCRP).In 5-10 minutes, the drone can collect high-resolution imagery for about a 20-acre area, which is later stitched together to create a comprehensive image of the forest canopy.
We’re also installing permanent ground plots to pair field-based measurements with drone imagery, allowing us to “ground-truth” what we see from the aerial imagery.
🌲 From Data to Decisions
Multispectral drone imagery gives us the ability to measure:
- NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) to track forest productivity by assessing the health (or “greenness”) of vegetation
- Trees per acre and canopy volume
- Tree height, when combined with existing LiDAR-based elevation data
- ICO structure (Individual, Clump, Opening patterns found in healthy forests) used to guide ecological thinning
This level of insight helps us adapt our treatments to changing conditions, especially in places like red fir forests, where we need more data to understand how mechanical treatments are affecting forest health.
It also improves project oversight by allowing us to remotely verify that thinning treatments match the specifications in project contracts, such as target tree density and spacing, without needing to walk every acre.
🔧 A New Tool for Forest Managers
While multispectral imaging has been used in research for years, it’s only recently become accessible for land management applications. We’re proud to be among the first groups in the Eastern Sierra using this technology to guide real-time forest health decisions at a landscape scale.
As we move forward, our team is undergoing FAA-compliant training and flight certification. Flying drones in national forest lands requires coordination with the Inyo National Forest, special use permitting, and real-time reporting to dispatch.
🌐 What’s Next
The drone program will expand this year as part of a broader strategy to combine remote sensing, forest ecology, and on-the-ground monitoring. We are excited to sharpen our data, extend our reach, and make sure every acre of treatment counts.
Drone Specs & Multispectral Explainer
Drone Overview:
- Sensors: RGB + Multispectral
- Flight Time per Mission: 5–10 minutes for 20 acres
- Max Height: Up to 400 ft (flown just above canopy for clarity)
- Image Output: Orthomosaic maps, video, stills
- Analysis Software: ArcGIS Pro, linked with existing DEM/LiDAR layers
- Use Areas: Mammoth Lakes Basin, Western Mono Basin, Junkyard unit
What Is Multispectral Imaging?
Multispectral sensors collect light across several bands—including wavelengths invisible to the human eye. This allows us to detect vegetation stress, monitor changes over time, and calculate metrics like:
- NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index): Measures vegetation productivity and health
- Canopy structure and tree volume
- Tree height (when combined with elevation data)
Together, these insights help us monitor restoration effectiveness and refine future treatment plans.