As the centuries have passed, I have seen humans come and go, each leaving their mark on the world. But through it all, I have stood tall and proud, a symbol of resilience and endurance. My kind is known for our longevity, with some of us living to be over 3,000 years old. To put that in perspective, the Roman Empire was founded while some of my family members were already well established.

I have lived through many fires over the course of my long life. In fact, fire and snow are necessary for our regeneration and growth. But in recent centuries, something has changed. The weather has become warmer, there is less snow in the winter, and the fires in the summer are much more intense.

In the Sierra Nevada ecosystem, we live in harmony with a diverse array of plant and animal life. Each of these species has evolved to thrive in a specific range of temperature conditions. However, with the recent changes to the climate, many of these species have been forced to adapt in order to survive. Some have moved to higher elevations where the conditions are more favorable, while others have seen their range contract. Unfortunately, some species have also declined due to the introduction of non-native species that compete with them for resources.

It is a difficult and uncertain time for those of us who call these mountains home, but I hold onto hope that one day, humans will learn to live in harmony with the natural world once again.