Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Biswell (Harold H.) papers
BANC MSS 2002/67c
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
The Bancroft Library
Title: Harold H. Biswell papers
Creator:
Biswell, Harold H. (Harold Hubert)
Identifier/Call Number: BANC MSS 2002/67c
Physical Description:
18.75 linear feet
(13 cartons, 3 boxes)
Date (inclusive): approximately 1917-1992
Date (bulk): 1950-1980
Abstract: Contains photographs, articles, reports, booklets, survey and research material, theses, and other material related to Harold
H. Biswell's research in controlled burning and forest ecology.
Physical Location: Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information
on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Language of Material:
English
.
Collection open for research.
No further additions are expected.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Harold Biswell Jr., 2001-2002.
Harold Hubert Biswell (1905-1992) was appointed to the faculty of the School of Forestry at the University of California,
Berkeley from 1947 to 1973. Biswell earned his doctorate in plant ecology from the University of Nebraska. Biswell was a researcher,
teacher, and advocate of the use of prescribed burning for fire management. In 1989, he wrote the book,
Prescribed Burning in California Wildlands Vegetation Management.
Indigenous peoples were the first to use controlled burns for managing vegetation and wildlife habitats. These practices were
disrupted by European colonization and forced relocation of Indigenous communities, as well as forester's misinformed perception
that controlled burns were ecologically harmful, and economic interests of lumber companies which favored fire suppression.
Despite opposition and direct criticism, Biswell continually advocated for developing new policies for prescribed burning.
Biswell staked his academic reputation on demonstrating that prescribed burns improved ecosystem health and reduced wildfire
threats. The Forest Service began to examine its fire exclusion policy in the early 1970's, and in 1978 the national policy
was changed to encompass total fire management including
prevention, suppression, and use.
Harold H. Biswell papers (BANC MSS 2002/67c), The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.
Collection processed by Jessica Tai in 2023. Materials were rehoused in archival boxes and described at the file level.
This collection reflects Harold Biswell's association with controlled burning and forest ecology. Materials include photographs
and slides of controlled burns and survey images of California forests, chaparral, and ranches. The collection also contains
articles by Biswell and others, reports, booklets, survey and research material, School of Forestry theses, and other material
related to controlled burning and forest ecology.
Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction
of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions,
privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond
that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user.
For additional information about the University of California, Berkeley Library's permissions policy please see: http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/about/permissions-policies
Collection is arranged and described at the file level.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Faculty papers
Fire ecology
Fire management
Forests and forestry -- Fire management
Forest fires--California
Forest fires--California--Prevention and control
Forest fires -- Environmental aspects
Parks -- Fire management
Photographs
Prescribed burning
Rangelands -- Fire management
Wilderness areas -- California -- Photographs
Wilderness areas -- Fire management
Yosemite National Park (Calif.)
Biswell, Harold H. (Harold Hubert)
University of California, Berkeley. School of Forestry and Conservation
University of California (1868-1952)--Faculty
University of California, Berkeley--Faculty
Whitaker's Forest Cooperative Natural Resources Research Station (Calif.)