LEARNING NETWORKS January 2016 FIELD GUIDE

Fire Learning Network Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges Scaling-up to Promote Ecosystem Resiliency Copyright 2016 The Nature Conservancy

The Fire Learning Network, Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network, Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges and Scaling-up to Promote Ecosystem Resiliency projects are part of the “Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted Communities Together” (PERFACT) cooperative agreement among The Nature Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service). For more information about the FLN, please visit www.conservationgateway.org/fln about the FAC Learning Network, please visit www.FACNetwork.org about TREX, please visit http://nature.ly/trainingexchanges

Cooperative Agreement Contacts FLN Director Lynn Decker [email protected] (801) 320-0524 USDA Forest Service Tim Melchert [email protected] (208) 387-5512 Dept. of the Interior David Overcast [email protected] (202) 606-3206

The PERFACT Team The Nature Conservancy North America Fire Team: Lynn Decker, Jeremy Bailey, Guy Duffner, Wendy Fulks, Mary Huffman, Heather Montanye, Liz Rank The Watershed Research and Training Center: Nick Goulette, Michelle Medley-Daniel, Lenya Quinn-Davidson, Emily Troisi The Field Guide is compiled and produced by Liz Rank ([email protected]). Thanks to the numerous landscape and community leaders and partners who provided text, photos and review for this document, and for the valuable work they do in the field.

Photo Credits Front cover (left column, top to bottom): Riley Bergseng, Coalition for the Upper South Platte, Robert B. Clontz/TNC (2); (right column, top to bottom) Northern California Prescribed Fire Council/Lenya Quinn-Davidson, Forest Stewards Guild. This page: Jeffrey Kane. Back cover (left to right): Liz Rank/TNC, Katherine Medlock/TNC, Chris Topik/TNC, Mary Huffman/TNC, Liz Rank/TNC (2), Frank Riley, Florida Forest Service, Guy Duffner/TNC. Contents

Introduction & Overview A Brief Introduction to the Learning Networks 1 New Jersey Fire Safety Council (New Jersey) 34 Map: Where We Work 4 Project Wildfire (Oregon) 35 FLN landscapes, Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network members, Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative (Oregon) 36 2015 Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges (TREX) and Scaling-up to Promote Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team (Nevada/California) 37 Ecosystem Resiliency (SPER III) projects FAC Learning Network State-Wide Efforts Fire Learning Network Regional Networks & Large Landscapes California Fire Safe Council 39 California Klamath-Siskiyou FLN 7 Nevada Network of Fire Adapted Communities 40 Centennial FLN 8 Washington Fire Adapted Communities Network 41 Central Appalachians FLN 9 Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges FireScape Mendocino 10 Overview of TREX, and highlights of 2015 events 42 FireScape Monterey 11 Great Plains FLN 12 Scaling-up to Promote Ecosystem Resiliency New Mexico FLN 13 Overview of SPER, and highlights of SPER III projects 44 Oregon FLN 14 Pikes Peak FLN 15 South Central FLN 16 Southern Blue Ridge FLN 17 Washington Dry Forests FLN 18 FLN Indexes Western Klamath Mountains FLN 19 Areas of Focus & Expertise 46 FLNs cross-referenced by habitats & human context factors worked Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network Members with, and by areas of expertise Overview of the FAC Learning Network 20 Partner Types 48 Austin Fire Department (Texas) 22 FLNs cross-referenced with agency or organization types of key partners Boise Fire Department (Idaho) 23 Managing in Landscapes with Threatened & Endangered Species 49 Chestatee-Chattahoochee RC&D Council (Georgia) 24 FLNs cross-referenced with T&E species Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship Coalition (Washington) 25 Managing Invasive Species 52 Coalition for the Upper South Platte (Colorado) 26 FLNs cross-referenced with invasive species they manage for Dovetail Partners (Minnesota) 27 FAC Learning Network Indexes FireWise of Southwest Colorado 28 Actions Taken & Values at Risk 54 Florida Forest Service 29 FAC hubs cross-referenced with actions to address values at risk Forest Stewards Guild (New Mexico) 30 Resources & Strategies 55 Greater Flagstaff Forests Partnership (Arizona) 31 FAC hubs cross-referenced with resources, programs and strategies Island Park Sustainable Fire Community (Idaho/Montana) 32 Public Outreach & Partnerships 56 Karuk Tribe (California) 33 FAC hubs cross-referenced with outreach efforts and partnerships

Photo: Liz Rank/TNC

“The value of the network is hard to quantify, but equally hard to overstate. The communication and sharing between network members, conversations with our liaison, and lessons learned from others have been invaluable.”

FAC Learning Network member interview recorded at national workshop, June 2015 A Brief Introduction to the Fire Learning Network

By the Numbers (2015) DOI > 30 FLN landscapes USFS The Fire Learning Network 9 regional networks private landowners > 250 partners & contractors and its re- • Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges state & local 81.1 million acres agencies lated programs are part of “Promoting (TREX), experiential training 20 states Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted opportunities that integrate a range tribal 19 FAC Net core members Communities Together” (PERFACT), a of people, places and aspects of fire; agencies & > 125 communities in 14 states members cooperative agreement between The • targeted restoration action under > 360 partners TNC Nature Conservancy, USDA Forest Scaling-up to Promote Ecosystem Service and agencies of the Department Resiliency (SPER); and 9 Prescribed Fire Training of the Interior. The partnership works Exchanges (TREX) • communication and public outreach in particular places with individual 432 participants Prescribed Fire Training Exchange about fire, restoration, and the Participant Affiliations—2015 people, and also at regional and 6,965 acres of prescribed fire collaborative work being done on Dept. of the Interior Dept. of Defense national scales—and it makes the them. 478 acres of thinning & Forest Service TNC connections between those scales. burning treatments by state & local gov’ts other NGOs Key aspects of this work are: tribal members private All of these aspects are interconnected, SPER III projects university students international VFDs • the Fire Learning Network (FLN), making all parts more effective at fostering collaboration for restora- promoting healthy ecosystems and tion and integrated fire management fire adapted human communities than in landscapes across the country; they would be on their own. In many The Fire Learning Network • the Fire Adapted Communities of the places where these partnerships Learning Network (FAC Net), which work, it is becoming difficult to tell statewide prescribed fire councils, is doing the same with communities where the FLN leaves off and other More than 30 landscapes—most of them nurture the development of fire adapted adapting to wildfire; efforts begin—which is as it should be. working as part of regional networks communities, host Prescribed Fire —are now active in the FLN. These Training Exchanges, develop coopera- partnerships generally begin by focus- tive burning programs, monitor fire ing on a collaborative planning process effects, develop interpretive signage, that brings stakeholders together to and publish restoration resources. work through where they want to go In the course of their work, FLNs and how they can get there. Partners engage hundreds of diverse partners— in established FLNs, having done this from state and federal agencies to TREX participants take part in a field tour with author and ecologist Bruce Sorrie. The first TREX in North Carolina was held in the spring of 2015. It was supported by Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning planning work, engage in a diversity of researchers and private landowners— and Sustainability (SERPPAS) Prescribed Fire Working Group led by North Carolina State University, The place-specific activities together. These from coast to coast. In a multitude of Nature Conservancy, the Southern Blue Ridge FLN, the North Carolina Prescribed Fire Council and others. include hosting workshops to build interactions, both formal and informal, As with all TREX, learning comes in a variety of forms, including from burning, classroom presentations and discussions, and field tours. Photo: Nancy Lee Adamson knowledge and develop local tools, and they further the cause of collaborative 2 to support the work of landscape-scale restoration, and serve as incubators projects. They also lead and support for innovation in the field. Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges growth point, almost simultaneously moving toward larger crew sizes, spreading into new geographic areas Training events combining experiential (and habitats), becoming more closely learning and principles of integrated tied to fire adapted communities fire management are now being held in efforts, and becoming more locally numerous locations each spring and fall. based. Numerous participants have FLN planning methods are based on The integration of professional wildland attended multiple events, and are the Open Standards for Conservation. According to research by Bruce Goldstein firefighters and less-traditional training becoming sources of leadership and and colleagues, the Network can best partners at these events expands both support. Staff support is now shifting be conceived of as a multiscalar process the capacity of the fire community from running the events to mentoring of iterative adaptive management. and its breadth of knowledge. It builds others. With this shift, the TREX model Diagram adapted from Butler, W. H. and B. E. Goldstein (2010). “The US Fire Learning Network: Springing a Rigidity Trap through the ability to conduct controlled burn- —and its integrated way of viewing Multiscalar Collaborative Networks.”Ecology and Society 15(3):21. ing effectively and with full social fire management and doing prescribed license, and develops connections that fire—is becoming adaptable, self- The Fire Adapted Communities are helping wildfires be managed with sustaining, and ever more widespread. Learning Network website (http://facnetwork.org/), and holds quarterly peer-learning webi- nars and an annual workshop. Modeled after the FLN, the FAC Learn- The FAC Net works with research- ing Network was launched in April ers Sarah McCaffrey (USFS Northern 2013 with stakeholders from eight Research Station) and Bruce Goldstein communities; in March 2014, ten more (University of Colorado), to increase Participants in the Spanish Language TREX practice The fall 2015 Klamath River TREX combined capac- communities were brought into the the rigor of network operations and fire shelter deployment. All TREX participants ity building, community protection and opportuni- network. Most of these groups are must meet NWCG standards for safety and basic ties for education about cultural burning. activities, and investigate how net- firefighter training. Photo: Elyssa Duran Photo: Stormy Staats still active in the network; with the works and the FAC approach contrib- addition of several state-level networks ute to growing community resilience. Scaling-up to Promote Ecosystem in late 2015, 19 local and regional This will help the network make the Resiliency efforts now form the network’s core. greatest impact on the development of sensitivity to local plans and concerns. Collaborative teams from these com- fire adapted communities nationwide. TREX also actively engage national, munities receive financial, technical regional and local media, and help Modest amounts of implementation and peer network support to imple- participants develop and communicate funding are targeted to either fill gaps ment and innovate fire adapted com- key messages with skill. in a landscape, or provide a catalyst to munity concepts and best practices, Since 2008, 44 events have served more accelerate work. Prescribed fire, other and to share them within the network than 1,500 practitioners and treated fuels treatments, and invasive species and beyond. Communities are work- more than 78,000 acres. The earliest management treatments are conducted ing on projects as diverse as evolving exchanges were in FLN grasslands, but under SPER, mainly on relatively small, CWPPs and county-wide integrated they are now offered in forested land- strategically-placed parcels that lever- age and connect existing or planned fire plans, securing funding for mitiga- Novel means of assisting and enabling communities scapes and in wildland-urban interface tion projects, and gathering and shar- to complete fuel treatments are among the strate- (WUI) areas, in support of fire adapted treatments on federal lands. ing the lessons learned from their ex- gies used by FAC network members. community efforts and landscape-scale In the first phase, six projects proposed Photos (clockwise): Andrew Holm; Forest Guild; periences with wildfires. The network Jerry McAdams/Boise FD; Florida Division of Forestry ecological restoration while building 19,767 acres of treatments to restore communicates regularly through an local fire management capacity. TREX ecosystem resiliency and help protect 3 online workspace (Podio), and a public efforts recently reached an important communities and their watersheds. In Integrated Outreach Working Together spite of drought, flooding, a state-wide ban on prescribed fire, the banning of Communication efforts are woven In June 2015, about 100 participants fire on proposed lands to protect sage through much of the work conducted in the FLN and FAC Learning Network grouse and a variety of other obstacles, - by the FLN and related programs. met, along with staff and national-level relying on adaptive planning and long This serves to disseminate lessons partners, at a workshop in Santa Fe, standing partnerships, the six projects learned and success stories that can New Mexico. The gathering provided together completed 20,625 acres of help other projects, and to offer a more numerous opportunities for sharing treatments, about 5 percent more than nuanced—and empowering—view information within and between the proposed. In several cases, this funding of wildfire and fire management than networks, as well as cementing the also spurred the completion of other is often seen in news accounts. High- relationships that are central to both nearby projects with other funding lighting fire adapted communities networks’ success. sources. In the smaller second phase efforts and other successes also opens of SPER, five landscape-based projects, At the workshop participants also began a larger space for the important work the building of formal communities of similar to the first six, completed about that can be done. 3,000 acres of treatments in support of practice that span the networks, and fire adapted communities and several The town of Angel Fire, New Mexico is will eventually reach beyond them. prescribed fire training events built a good example of success: Just before Seven topics—community wildfire local capacity while conducting treat- a fall 2013 TREX, a headline in the protection planning, working with ments near at-risk communities. local paper read “Residents Brace for landowners and homeowners, treat- Sept. 30 Burn Near Angel Fire.” But ment economics, watershed manage- Projects in the third phase of SPER are by the end of the event, the headline ment, using fire as a tool, engagement aimed at enabling fire use in northern “Prescribed Burn Near Angel Fire Wraps and communication, and the Network California, the upper Rio Grande water- up at 105 Acres” ran over a story that Builders Club (best practices for state shed of New Mexico, and the landscape included an excellent video describing and regional learning networks)— around Ashland, Oregon. the precautions taken and the commu- were identified for initial efforts, and nity and forest benefits of the burning. teams have since been working on Following that, one of the people both the topic areas, and on ways of expressing misgivings in the first 2013 building these communities using article led community-outreach efforts various technologies that can connect Top: The 2015 workshop was co-hosted by local during the 2014 burning. far-flung colleagues and partners. members of the FLN and FAC Net. It kicked off with a field tour that included areas treated to protect More Online the municipal watershed of the City of Santa Fe. Center: Ice-breaker exercises encouraged the Fire Learning Network mingling of networks and geographies. http://www.conservationgateway.org/fln Bottom: A world cafe session helped flesh out some of the details of proposed communities of Prescribed fire training exchanges practice. Photos: Jim Beck/USFS; Liz Rank/TNC http://nature.ly/trainingexchanges Fire Adapted Communities http://facnetwork.org/ The Fire Learning Network is supported by Top: Eastern redcedar was removed from this site FLN Networker (biweekly newsletter) Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted as part of a program of glade restoration across Communities Together (PERFACT), a cooperative Arkansas landscapes. Photo: McRee Anderson/TNC http://www.conservationgateway.org/ConservationPractices/FireLand- agreement between The Nature Conservancy, the Bottom: A multi-agency crew briefs before the Blue scapes/FireLearningNetwork/FLNNetworker/Pages/fln-networker.aspx USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department Suck Burn, conducted to improve forest health on of the Interior. For more information, contact Virginia State Parks land. Photo: Marek Smith/TNC Lynn Decker ([email protected]). 4 v. 16 Jan 16

Fire Learning Network California Nick Goulette [email protected] (530) 628-4206 Klamath-Siskiyou Michelle Medley-Daniel [email protected] Fire Learning Network Lenya Quinn-Davidson lquinndavidson@ucanr@edu

SourcServic es:Esri,eLayer USGS,Credits: NOAASour ce:Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geogra phics, CNES/Ai rbusDS, USDA, USGS, AEX, Getmapping, Aerogrid, I GN,IGP, swissto po,a ndthe GIS User Communit y Landscape Partners Bureau of Land Management— HappyOREGON Camp Redding Field Office CrescentSix CityRivers CAL FIRE Partners in the Trinity Mountains NF Western Klamath Klamath NF Humboldt State University Mountains FLN Hyampom Volunteer Fire are focusing on the synergy created Somes Bar Department and Fire Safe Council between the Fire learning Network and Orleans Northern California Prescribed Fire the Trinity Integrated Fire Management Council Redwood Partnership’s (TIFMP) implementation National Trinity County Collaborative work. In addition to having local pre- Park Trinity Trinity County Fire Chiefs Association scribed burning to ground our learning, Arcata Mountains Landscape Trinity County Fire Safe Council we have a formal collaborative group Trinity County RCD that acts in an advisory capacity to the Weaverville Hyampom University of California Extension county board of supervisors and federal Six Hayfork land management agencies. With this Rivers USDA Forest Service—Pacific South- NF west Research Station; Province forum, and the Trinity County Fire Safe In the course of the fall 2015 Northern California Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (Nor Cal TREX), Ecologist Council, we are able to link learning CALIFORNIA participants burned 160 acres in the Hayfork area. Shasta- USDA Forest Service—Shasta-Trinity about fire to planning, implementation These burns reduced fuels, consuming small trees Trinity NF National Forest (Forest Supervisor’s and monitoring processes. Being able and shrubs; they will increase community safety FireScape to tie together all of the parts of the and improve range and forage. Mendocino Office, Hayfork and Weaverville RDs) adaptive management cycle is critical if Photos: Lenya Quinn-Davidson/NCPFC Mendocino NF USDA Forest Service—Six Rivers we want to impact systems and achieve National Forest necessary shifts in our management USDA Natural Resources approach.Regional partnerships Conservation Service management and the dialogue at the Watershed Research and Training that we’ve events helps inform our landscape Center invested in over the years continue level work, as well as bringing a Weaverville Volunteer Fire to be a focus of the CKS FLN. Through management perspective to the Department support of the Northern California scientistsPrescribed involved. fire training exchanges Prescribed Fire Council, the network and local landowners and residents directly reaches over 200 people every (TREX) bring together many aspects year, bringing together practitioners of work in this landscape. They enable and scientists and facilitating impor- participants to experience fire inter- The Fire Learning Network is supported by tant movement in the policies and Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted acting with a variety of communities practiceAnother of regional prescribed effort fire in the region. Communities Together (PERFACT), a cooperative and ecosystem types, and help build The TREX burn boss and other participants monitor agreement between The Nature Conservancy, the , co-hosting local capacity to manage fire. And the smoke from a prescribed burn in the Hayfork area USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Depart- in late October 2015 ment of the Interior. For more information, contact events with the California Fire Science treatments conducted during a TREX Photo: Lenya Quinn-Davidson/NCPFC Lynn Decker ([email protected]). Consortium, allows us to bring a help make both the forests and human v. 16 Jan 16 7 science-based approach to regional communities more resilient to wildfire. Centennial Fire Learning Network Nathan Korb [email protected] (406) 925-1144 Landscapes Building connectivity: Centennial Valley FLN partners Gravelly Landscape are working to restore wetland A key goal Henry’s Lake / Island Park connectivity and riparian areas by High Divide Headwaters changing grazing, replacing culverts of the Centennial FLN is to and planting willows. These changes prepare the landscape—both natural create habitat for beaver, and recent and human—so that fire can once studies have shown that beavers sage-grouse are also being measured, again roam and fill its ecological role. improve late-season flows and thus and this study will help to guide land To this end, the Lakeview Community will likely protect watersheds under management decisions for sage-grouse Protection Project has completed predicted climate change scenarios. thinning in nearly all the private habitat. In the sandhills, open sand forests in the area, and the BLM blowouts are being conserved for rare and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are plants and tiger beetles, and monitoring Network Partners developing complementary projects of vegetation and bird communities, as Bureau of Land Management—Dillon on lands around the town. This will well as the effects of a 2008 prescribed Field Office allow managers to let natural fires in burn, is ongoing. Managers are also Future West the nearby wilderness burn safely, and experimenting with using hand Greater Yellowstone Coalition will lower the risk to fire workers if tools and volunteer labor to remove Montana Department of Natural sagebrush and grasses to restore Resources and Conservation—Dillon extreme fire conditions warrant fire Providing leadership blowout habitat with fewer negative Resource Area suppression. The FLN is also working Planning for climate change with the Fire Adapted Communities consequences than burning. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks— : The FLN Region 3 Learning Network hub on the other side : Through provides leadership and expertise on U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service—Red Rock of the Centennial Mountains, in Island monitoring and adaptive management, area forest management priorities, Lakes NWR Park, Idaho. The groups have a mutual partners are preparing for unexpected for example, as part of the forest- University of Montana Western interest in developing coordinated consequences of a changing climate. A wide Beaverhead-Deerlodge Working USDA Forest Service—Beaverhead- plans to manage fire safely, cost- novel water vulnerability assessment Group that is developing collaborative Deerlodge NF (Madison RD) effectively, efficiently, wisely, and for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Protecting threatened species conducted by Conservancy scientists solutions across that 2.5 million acre the greatest benefit. and a University of New Mexico national forest. And, looking to the Service—Dillon Office Wildlife Conservation Society : To graduate student is illuminating the future, for the last several years, high and private ranch operations improve critical sage-grouse habitat, effects of climate change on headwater school student volunteers have assist- a half dozen FLN partners are streams in the Centennial and other ed with restoration projects, putting implementing a coordinated multi- valleys in southwest Montana. in hundreds of hours each summer, year grazing plan across over 45,000 Preliminary results indicate that flows and Conservancy interns from urban from north-aspect basins are more high schools have worked on stream The Fire Learning Network is supported by acres; the plan will improve the health Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted of the rangeland for livestock as well resilient to climate changes, which monitoring and other projects. These Communities Together (PERFACT), a cooperative as wildlife, so partners hope to spark has important ramifications for where programs engage a new generation agreement between The Nature Conservancy, the limited restoration and land protection of scientists and citizen naturalists in USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Depart- the interest of other landowners in the ment of the Interior. For more information, contact Sage Grouse Initiative. With researchers resources should be invested; the on-the-ground conservation work, and Lynn Decker ([email protected]). 8from Montana State University, the results are being incorporated into state provide them with experience to em- v. 16 Jan 16 effects of management and grazing on and federal fisheries planning. bark on science careers of their own. Central Appalachians Sam Lindblom [email protected] (434) 987-0712 Fire Learning Network Marek Smith [email protected] (540) 839-3599

Network Partners Lake Erie Toledo Appalachian Mountains Joint Venture Cleveland NY PENNSYLVANIA Keystone Newark Arcadia University Pitsbur gh� Appalachians Harrisburg Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers Wheeling Philadelphia and Scientists OHIO Cincinnat� Washington NJ Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife MD The Central Appalachians FLN Estimating canopy cover using a densitometer in the Heart Resources Frankfort WEST VIRGINIA Warm Springs Mountain Restoration Project. of the Charlotesvi lle� DE Photo: Nikole Swaney/TNC Kentucky Division of Forestry Appalachians Cumberland Richmond KENTUCKYRiver Maryland Department of Natural Roanoke Atlan tic engages federal, state and private land Ocean Resources Norfolk managers, academic institutions and VIRGINIA National Park Service—New River Gorge non-profit organizations in a • Mapping of ecological zones across National Recreation Area, Shenandoah collaborative effort to enhance capacity 10.2 million acres in Kentucky, National Park University of Tennessee to implement ecological fire manage- Virginia and West Virginia; National Weather Service U.S. Geological Survey—Virginia Coopera- ment in the Central Appalachian • Development of spatial analysis National Wild Turkey Federation tive Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Forest, Western Allegheny Plateau, and tools for prioritizing fire restoration New River-Highlands RC&D USDA Forest Service—Daniel Boone, Cumberlands and Southern Ridge and and assessing fire effects; Pennsylvania Department of Military and George Washington and Jefferson and Valley ecoregions. These landscapes Veterans Affairs at Fort Indiantown Gap Monongahela NFs; Northern Research include rolling and mountainous • Facilitation of dendrochronology, Pennsylvania Game Commission Station, Southern Research Station terrain, Appalachian pine-oak forests soil charcoal and other fire history Radford University USDA Natural Resources Conservation and woodlands, pine-oak-heath shrub- research throughout the region; The Nature Conservancy—Kentucky, Service lands and barrens, small-patch grass- • Implementation of memoranda of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia Department of Conservation and Virginia lands including high elevation balds, understanding and cooperating Recreation—Natural Heritage, State University of Kentucky—Forestry Parks wet prairies and cedar glades, and agreements to facilitate a cross- Over its eight year history University of Maryland Virginia Department of Forestry have high levels of species endemism. agency, all-lands approach to Virginia Department of Game and Inland , increased restoration; Fisheries partnership diversity, communication • Development of interpretive signs, Virginia Tech and coordination have been key brochures and other education West Virginia Department of Forestry to restoring the role of fire at an materials on prescribed fire; West Virginia Department of Natural Resources ecologically meaningful scale. Central • Facilitation of interagency training West Virginia University Appalachians FLN partners have and capacity-building opportunities; conducted controlled burns on more • Posters and oral presentations at than 61,000 acres of federal, state and Key accomplishments national conferences that share private lands since 2014. network success stories and The Fire Learning Network is supported by in this network products; and A briefing at the 2014 Prescribed Fire Training Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted include: Exchange in Virginia, where 36 practitioners (22 Communities Together (PERFACT), a cooperative • Use of funding from Scaling-up to from Virginia, 14 from eight other states) worked agreement between The Nature Conservancy, the • Development of robust fire effects Promote Ecosystem Resiliency to together to treat about 1,000 acres with prescribed USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Depart- fire while sharing knowledge across agencies and ment of the Interior. For more information, contact monitoring programs, including for fully integrate non-native invasive geographies. Photo: Robert B. Clontz/TNC Lynn Decker ([email protected]). avian community, forest structure species control with prescribed fire v. 16 Jan 16 9 and composition, and burn severity; management activities. FireScape Rick Mowery [email protected] (530) 934-1175 Mendocino Kimberly Baker [email protected] (707) 822-7711 Fire Learning Network Don Amador [email protected] (925) 625-6287

Hayfork Redding

California Klamath- Shasta- Siskiyou FLN FireScape Mendocino began Trinity NF Red Bluff� its Covelo/Eel River, Lake Pillsbury, Upper Six Rivers Thus far Yolla Bolly- NF Middle Eel collaborative work in late 2013. The Lake and Stonyford. Wilderness group has held community workshops , the Landscape-Scale FireScape Paskenta about quarterly since then, continuing Vegetation Management Group has Top of page: A commercial forester, local resident Mendocino to work toward realizing its vision of and Forest Service ecosystem management staff conducted two field trips to explore officer used Google Earth to explore possible Mendocino a resilient landscape that provides the implications of climate change on treatment approaches at a 2014 workshop. Elk Creek NF sustainable habitats for people and Above: Landscape-Scale Vegetation Management forest health and vegetation distribu- Willits animals while supporting the social and working group members reviewed the results tion across the landscape. The Fire Mendocino Stonyford chains developed to test the logic of several Snow Mt. economic needs of communities in and Poter Val ley� Wilderness Using the Open Standards Ready Communities Group discussed potential strategies. Photos: Mary Huffman/TNC around the Mendocino National Forest. the effectiveness of various fuels Ukiah Upper Lake for the treatments for limiting wildfire spread Landscape Partners Lucerne

Practice of Conservation for founda- into residential areas, and they’ve been Blue Ribbon Coalition Clear Lake tional planning, the group has identified actively assisting local communities Bureau of Land Management its geographic scope, landscape vision, work to achieve Firewise recognition. CAL FIRE CALIFORNIA a suite of enduring shared values— The Fire and Recreation Infrastructure California State Parks—Off-Highway ecological, cultural and economic— Group has been considering potential Motor Vehicle Recreation Division Tehama County Resource Conservation and a robust set of strategies designed recreation recommendations for the California Wilderness Coalition District to improve the health and viability of newly designated Berryessa Snow Central Valley Regional Water Quality Tuleyome FireScape Mendocino has matured these values. Mountain National Monument. And the Control Board Upper Little Stony Inholders Alliance Air Quality Group is gearing up for the Crane Mills USDA Forest Service—Mendocino NF

opportunity to comment on the latest Environmental Protection Information USDA Natural Resources Conservation into a functioning multi-stakeholder proposed EPA rule change, which has Center Service collaborative with four active work serious implications for the use of Lake County Fire Safe Council Yolo Audubon Society groups: Going forward prescribed fire. Lake Pillsbury Homesite Association • Fire Ready Communities Mendocino Redwood Company and , FireScape Mendocino • Landscape-Scale Vegetation Humboldt Redwood Company will be engaging in large-scale fire Management Office of Congressman Doug LaMalfa management planning, which includes The Fire Learning Network is supported by • Fire and Recreation Infrastructure Office of Congressman Jared Huffman Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted The work groups are tasked GIS-based analysis of fire risks and Communities Together (PERFACT), a cooperative • Air Quality Round Valley Indian Tribes benefits across the mapped landscape. Sierra Pacific Industries agreement between The Nature Conservancy, the with This will incorporate stakeholder USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Depart- Sunflower Coordinated Resource ment of the Interior. For more information, contact discovering what it means to apply input into the model calculations, and Management Program Lynn Decker ([email protected]). 10their strategies to the group’s primary the product will feed into Forest Plan v. 16 Jan 16 geographical focal areas, Paskenta, Revision. FireScape Jeff Kwasny [email protected] (831) 667-1126 Monterey Gordon Johnson [email protected] (530) 347-1627 Fire Learning Network Mary Trotter [email protected] (831) 667-2521

Landscape Partners Santa Cruz

Big Sur Land Trust Monterey Work in this landscape also includes research on Bishop Grading and Forestry Services Bay Like many FLN landscapes sudden oak death, a microbial disease that leads Bureau of Land Management Monterey Carmel Valley to extensive tree death and subsequent fuel Cachagua Fire Prevention District accumulation. Above, removal of understory bay CALIFORNIA , FireScape CAL FIRE Los Padres trees is helping protect these oaks in Pfeiffer Big FireScape Monterey Monterey has no shortage of wildland Sur State Park. Photo: Kerri Frangioso/UC Davis California Native Plant Society Big Sur National Forest fires. Fire history mapping shows that California State Parks Lockwood wildfires continue across the landscape Ventana California State University, Monterey Bay Wilderness within the natural range of variation, A related project California Wilderness Project Hunter-Liggett LakeMilitary Nacimiento Reservation producing both “good” and “bad” fires. Carmel Highland Fire Protection District Silver Peak WildernessSan Simeon Large areas of chaparral blanket is the Forest Service Coast Property Owners Association Pacific Ocean steep slopes near the coast where Strategic Community Fuelbreak El Sur Ranch San Luis Obispo fog provides moisture for rapid fuel Improvement Project, designed to Esselen Tribe of Monterey County build-up. The local fire challenge also enhance community protection from Fire Safe Council for Monterey County includes the configuration of political wildfire in the wildland-urban interface. Galante Vineyards boundaries, with the beloved Ventana The project will improve and maintain Jamesburg-Cachagua Neighbors United Resource Conservation District of Wilderness immediately adjacent to strategic historically-used firelines to Los Padres Forest Watch Monterey County several local communities. Each part function as fuelbreaks. The project Mal Paso Creek Property Association Santa Lucia Conservancy of this landscape delivers unplanned proposes work on 24 miles of fuel- Mid-Coast Fire Brigade Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Sierra Club—Ventana Chapter fires to the other, and working across breaks and a key 64-acre unit, for a Tassajara Zen Mountain Center boundaries needs to be seamless total of 544 acres. A variety of treat- Monterey County Water Resources Agency This group is now working Monterey FireSafe Council University of California, Davis—Plant because fires spread so rapidly. ments are proposed, including machine Monterey Institute of Research & Pathology and hand thinning, piling and burning on the Astronomy University of California, Santa Cruz—Big or chipping, and mastication. NEPA design of a landscape-scale pre-attack Monterey San Benito Range Creek Preserve documents for this project are plan that will knit together advance Volunteer fire departments Improvement Association U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service plans for firefighting across this currently being refreshed. USDA Forest Service—Los Padres NF U.S. House of Representatives—Office of landscape. The communities and land —the Mid USDA Natural Resources Conservation Sam Farr (Congressional District 20) managers involved in planning are Coast Fire Brigade and Cachagua Fire Service Ventana Wilderness Alliance diverse, encompassing the oceanside Prevention District—are working to community of Big Sur, the remote increase local fire suppression capacity upland community of Cachauga, ranch- to meet community protection needs. land owned by members of the Esselen Both have received Forest Service The Fire Learning Network is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted Tribe, vineyards, the Tasajara Zen grants for work on fuelbreaks and road Communities Together (PERFACT), a cooperative Center, land leased by the Forest improvement to facilitate suppression View from the agreement between The Nature Conservancy, the Service for recovery of the California crew access. Local fire brigades and Prewitt Ridge USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Depart- fire break. ment of the Interior. For more information, contact condor, and the Monterey Institute multiple Fire Safe Councils are also © Mike Splain/Ventana Wilderness Society Lynn Decker ([email protected]). of Research and Astronomy’s working to make communities better v. 16 Jan 16 11 observatory. adapted to fire. Great Plains Emily Hohman [email protected] (712) 568-2596 Fire Learning Network Rich Walters [email protected] (308) 390-2511

The interest and desire

to burn is widespread throughout the Great Participants engage in a sand table exercise in the Plains, but capacity issues plague the field at the 2014 Spring Break TREX in the Niobrara region. Lack of capacity is a key factor Valley. Photo: Jose Luis Duce limiting the extent to which fire can be applied at the scale needed to reduce fuel loading concerns and sustain ecosystems.The Great Plains FLN has focused for many years on working with partners at a local and regional level to increase Network Landscapes Network Partners capacity through collaborative Loess Hills Great Plains Fire Science Exchange Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges Lower Loup Rivers Iowa Department of Natural Resources (TREX) and cooperative burning. This —State Forests (Loess Hills State cooperation has been in the spirit of Middle Niobrara River Valley Forest) “neighbors helping neighbors”—an Iowa Department of Natural Resources approach that has its roots in the —Wildlife sparsely populated rural areas of the During the 2014 Lower Loup TREX, a crew lights a National Park Service region. Not surprisingly, the prescribed 730-acre unit to reduce invasion by eastern red- cedar. Photo: Jeremy Bailey/TNC Nebraska Forest Service burn association model is embedded in Pottawattamie County Conservation this region, with 59 local associations Board and a regional organization on the The Nature Conservancy—Iowa, horizon.With partners the network of training exchanges and Nebraska that include private cooperative burning in the region. A U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service landowners, county and state agencies, solid history of TREX and cooperative University of Nebraska—Lincoln non-governmental organizations, burning, with consistent successes, private entities, volunteer fire has been the key to keeping partners, Hills of fine silt, or loess, are found in western Iowa departments, universities and federal creating new partnerships and making and eastern Nebraska. Because the hills are unsuit- agencies, the spirit of cooperation is training and burning opportunities able for most agriculture, these areas still hold The Fire Learning Network is supported by valuable natural diversity. However, steep terrain— Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted alive and well here. Much of the Great available to private landowners in and fragmented ownership—make the necessary Communities Together (PERFACT), a cooperative Plains offers amazing opportunities for these landscapes. Partners here burning challenging. The partnerships and extra agreement between The Nature Conservancy, the fire practitioners from far and wide to believe that neighbors helping capacity of TREX make landscape treatments, like USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Depart- those during the 2015 Loup River TREX (above) ment of the Interior. For more information, contact experience hands-on fire operations. neighbors can be a path to building possible. Photo: Stéfano Arellano Lynn Decker ([email protected]). 12This network’s plan for the next the capacity needed to use fire at an v. 16 Jan 16 several years is to continue to enhance effective scale. Anne Bradley [email protected] (505) 946-2038 Laura McCarthy [email protected] (505) 946-2024 New Mexico Ernie Atencio [email protected] (575) 770-4565 Fire Learning Network Eytan Krasilovsky [email protected] (505) 983-8992 x 16 Charter Signatories: Rio Grande Water Fund Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Improving the health Utility Authority Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroyo Flood of headwater Control Authority forests is a critical climate change Bernalillo County adaptation strategy in a warming Bosque Ecosystem Monitoring Program Southwest, where fire seasons have Bureau of Land Management become longer and more severe, and Chama Peak Land Alliance water security is a primary concern for In New Mexico City of Santa Fe all communities. Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation , the FLN is now a key District Top: Wetlands at the Valles Caldera National part of a wildfire and water source Preserve in the heart of the Water Fund landscape. Claunch-Pinto Soil and Water protection fund program, the Rio Bottom: A properly-thinned stand of ponderosa Conservation District Grande Water Fund (RGWF). The RGWF pine is more resilient to wildfire. Coronado Soil and Water Conservation vision is to secure clean water and © 2013 Alan W. Eckert for The Nature Conservancy District healthy forests for New Mexicans for Dekker/Petrich/Sabatini Edgewood Soil and Water Conservation generations to come. Its goal is to scale District up forest thinning and prescribed fire working with on-the-ground federal, Forest Stewards Guild Rocky Mountain Youth Corps treatments from about 6,000 acres state, tribal and private land managers LOR Foundation Sierra Club per year to 30,000 acres per year in to accelerate fire and thinning treat- While forest restoration Los Alamos County Taos County northern New Mexico. We will do this ments that build forest resilience. Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District The Nature Conservancy in New Mexico by developing a sustainable source of moves New Mexico Association of Conservation Trout Unlimited funding from water users, government, forward, we also face a legacy of large Districts University of New Mexico donors and investors, and facilitating and severely burned areas that continue New Mexico Forest Industry Association U.S. Army Corps of Engineers payments to upstream land managers to create flooding and debris hazards New Mexico Acequia Association U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help them reduce wildfire and debris for downstream communities. To New Mexico Department of Game & Fish USDA Forest Service flow risk in high priority areas and meet this challenge, the FLN is also New Mexico Environment Department USDA Natural Resources Conservation to maintain those areas for the long- developing a new collaborative Burned New Mexico Forest and Watershed Service term. In 2015, the RGWF distributed Area Learning Network, made up of Restoration Institute Valles Caldera National Preserve New Mexico Interstate Stream over $1 million to accelerate ongoing scientists and other partners who are Commission landscape planning and restoration addressing the restoration of these burns. treatment projects on national forests Read More New Mexico Land Grant Consejo The seven-million acre New Mexico Land Grant Council and private lands. Rio Grande Water Fund: The Fire Learning Network is supported by New Mexico Museum of Natural History Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted www.nature.org/riogrande Rio Grande and Science Communities Together (PERFACT), a cooperative landscape includes 1.7 million acres of Fire Adapted Communties: New Mexico Water Business Task Force agreement between The Nature Conservancy, the forest, of which 600,000 acres are treat- www.fireadaptednewmexico.org USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Depart- New Mexico Watershed and Dam ment of the Interior. For more information, contact able. FLN supported activities include Owners Coalition Lynn Decker ([email protected]). engaging with the Fire Adapted v. 16 Jan 16 13 Communities Learning Network and Oregon Pete Caligiuri [email protected] (541) 388-3020 x 304 Fire Learning Network Mark Stern [email protected] (503) 802-8133

Network Landscapes Rogue Basin Upper Deschutes Basin A morning briefing before burning in the Sisters Area Fuels Reduction project in the Deschutes Lakeview Stewardship Unit / Fremont- About eight million acres National Forest during the May 2015 TREX. Winema NF of fire- adapted forest across central, eastern and southwest Oregon are in need of a unique integration of the social, clarified through dialogue, we fill gaps restoration. We know this thanks to a ecological and operational dimensions in the ecological, social, institutional recently published analysis led by The of prescribed fire. The TREX gave fire and operational understanding of Nature Conservancy in Oregon and professionals holistic training focused restoration challenges and bring our Washington and Forest Service Region on the challenges, opportunities and diverse partners to the table to work 6. The analysis showed that more than skillsets needed to plan and implement towardsNetwork common & Landscape ground. Partners American Forest Resource Council a third of fire-adapted forests in the Wefire arein and also around working human-dominated, eastern Cascades—and more than half fire-adapted landscapes. Applegate Partnership of such forests in southwest Oregon— with Forest Black Oak Forest Restoration are in need of active restoration. The Service partners and local operators to Blue Mountains Forest Partners Bureau of Land Management—Medford needs include thinning, prescribed fire, develop and integrate new technologies Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council time to grow, or combinations of these. to increase the efficiency and effective- Without restorative treatments, the Central Oregon Fire Management Service ness of dry forest restoration treatments Cities of Ashland, Bend and Sisters The Nature Conservancy—Oregon risk of uncharacteristic fire increases while ensuring that ecological resilience annually and with each fire season we Deschutes County The Wilderness Society goals are met. And we are developing Federal Forest Working Group Umatilla Forest Collaborative Group lose critical dry forest habitats and cutting edge landscape analysis and Harney County Restoration Collaborative U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service the myriad ecological and community Addressing this challenge prioritization tools that integrate eco- Josephine County Stewardship Group Upper Deschutes River Coalition values they provide. logical, social and economic factors to Klamath Tribes USDA Forest Service—Forest Health at ecologi- help stakeholders and agency staff Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center Protection; Pacific Southwest Research cally relevant scales is only possible by collaboratively identify areas on the Lake County Resource Initiative Station; Region 6; Deschutes, Fremont- Winema and Rogue River-Siskiyou NFs; engaging with the communities and Underlandscape the where banner restoration of the FLN invest- Lomakatsi Restoration Project diverse partners that live in and depend ments will provide the greatest return. Northern Arizona University— USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service on the forests for economic and social we are Ecological Restoration Institute Warm Springs Confederated Tribes well-being. We continue to use our reaching out and engaging an expanding Ochoco Forest Collaborative Group Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife unique position as a trusted partner to audience of stakeholders, bringing them Oregon Department of Forestry diverse—and sometimes competing— into the conversation to better under- Oregon State University Extension people and organizations to bridge stand their values, needs, concerns and interests and values, explore common Oregon Wild The Fire Learning Network is supported by interests. In doing so, we develop trust, Project Wildfire Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted ground, and use innovative strategies, shared understanding, and agreement Communities Together (PERFACT), a cooperative tools and partnerships to advance Sierra Club A recent example around a mutually beneficial path to- Southern Oregon Forest Restoration agreement between The Nature Conservancy, the ecologically-based restoration. USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Depart- ward healthier and resilient forests and Collaborative ment of the Interior. For more information, contact of this work is the forest-dependent communities. As social Southern Oregon University Lynn Decker ([email protected]). Central14 Oregon Prescribed Fire Training scientific, social, economic and v. 16 Jan 16 Exchange, the first TREX in Oregon and operational barriers emerge and are Pikes Peak Paige Lewis [email protected] (303) 817-8648 Fire Learning Network Jason Lawhon [email protected] (303) 541-0331

The Pikes Peak Regional FLN

is a relatively new collaborative initiative focused on increasing public under- standing of and support for the use of fire in forest management, expanding local fire management capacity and demonstrating the safe and effective useIn the of firecoming in high year, priority landscapes. we expect to build on the great work already being implemented by local organizations, including Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network efforts in Woodland Park. We are doing this by building an effective stakeholder network, hosting public workshops on fire ecology and the use of fire for management, Landscape Partners facilitating training opportunities for Cheyenne Mountain Fire Department U.S. Geological Survey fire practitioners, and implementing Coalition for the Upper South Platte USDA Forest Service—Pike and San prescribedThis work fire.will build on Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Isabel National Forest (Pike’s Peak RD) Control USDA Forest Service—Region 2 the Colorado Parks and Wildlife USDA Natural Resources Conservation accomplishments of the Upper Colorado Springs Fire Department Service Fountain Creek Watershed Restoration Colorado Springs Utilities Wescott Fire Protection District Initiative (supported by Scaling-up to Colorado State Forest Service Promote Ecosystem Resiliency), and Colorado State University will contribute to the goals of the Front El Paso County Range Roundtable project, Colorado Larkspur Fire Protection District Prescribed Fire Council and Southern Northeast Teller County Fire Protection The Fire Learning Network is supported by TopRockies photos Fire: Two Scienceviews of the Network. Conservancy’s Southern Rockies Wildland Fire Module at work on the Little District Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted Sand Fire in southwest Colorado in July 2012. Photos: Jeff Crandall/TNC Pike’s Peak Wildfire Prevention Partners Communities Together (PERFACT), a cooperative Bottom photos: Webster Park in the Upper Monument Creek project area, and a field tour to the project area. Rocky Mountain Tree-Ring Research agreement between The Nature Conservancy, the The Conservancy’s Colorado chapter delivered a report to the U.S. Forest Service with a set of collaboratively- USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Depart- developed, science-based management recommendations for the 67,000-acre Upper Monument Creek The Nature Conservancy, Colorado ment of the Interior. For more information, contact landscape, which is in the FLN core area. project area. Photos: Peter M. Brown; Rob Addington/TNC U.S. Air Force Academy Lynn Decker ([email protected]). v. 16 Jan 16 15 McRee Anderson [email protected] (870) 861-5131 Martin Blaney [email protected] (877) 967-7577 South Central William Carromero [email protected] (479) 964-7207 Fire Learning Network Mitzi Cole [email protected] (870) 867-2101 x 114

Branson MO

Hobb's WMA Madison County WMA Harold Alexander WMA Buffalo National Gene River Rush Ozark The South Central Fayetteville WMA Current Projects NF Indiana Bat Habitat Ozark Highlands Ecosystem Restoration Project Restoration Project (CFLRP) Indiana Bat Habitat Jonesboro Regional Fire Ozark Restoration Project National Batesville Learning Network has long been a Forest catalyst for restoration, supporting Ozark Highlands Ecosystem Project Ozark Highlands Ecosystem Restoration Project (CFLRP) scientific knowledge exchanges and (CFLRP) Fort Smith TN developing monitoring protocols and OK Shortleaf-Bluestem Petit John WMA Memphis definitions of current and desired Conway ecological conditions across the region. Community Project (CFLRP) This network is a long-term, diverse Little Rock coalition functioning as a robust Ouachita St. Francis National National Forest community of practice of restoration Forest Hot Springs practitioners, scientists, policy makers Happy Bat Project on the Sylamore Ranger District of the Ozark-St. Francis Pine Bluff and on-the-ground managers. Together In addition to this work Shortleaf-Bluestem MS they are restoring and managing lands National Forest. Community Project (CFLRP) with prescribed fire and timber manage- Pinus on echinata the ment techniques for the long-term ground, the region is the epicenter ARKANSAS Cleveland health of the lands for wildlife and of the shortleaf pine ( ) Hope water quality benefits. The FLN has range, and the FLN has been chosen Texarkana secured implementation funding to lead a new Shortleaf Pine Initiative from state wildlife grants, non-profits, to address the steep decline of this private foundations, and state and species and its associated fire-adapted Network Partners federal institutions for restoration and communities. This initiative is management on a portfolio of multi- developing a range-wide conservation Arkansas Audubon Society University of Missouri, Columbia ownership (federal, state and private) plan covering the 23 three states Arkansas Forestry Commission USDA Forest Service—Ouachita National Since 2001 The South Central FLN lands throughout the region. where shortleaf pine is found. Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Forest, Ozark-St. Francis National Wildlife Management Areas Forest (Big Piney Ranger District) , over $8.5 million in also continues federal funding has been awarded to to bring partners together for field Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission this collaborative partnership for trips, workshops and project proposal Arkansas Wildlife Federation ecosystem management across the development for large, collaboratively- Central Hardwoods Joint Venture Interior Highlands, starting with the based woodland and glade restoration National Forest Foundation 60,000-acre Woodland Ecosystem projects, such as those done under National Park Service—Buffalo The Fire Learning Network is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted Project, which continues to be a model the Scaling-up to Promote Ecosystem National River Communities Together (PERFACT), a cooperative for landscape-scale restoration. Both Resiliency initiative. Finally, the FLN National Wild Turkey Federation agreement between The Nature Conservancy, the funding and the scale of work have assists partners with institutionalizing USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Depart- The Nature Conservancy—Arkansas ment of the Interior. For more information, contact grown since then, with partners now restoration programs and developing U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Lynn Decker ([email protected]). 16working on two CFLRP projects (over public demonstration areas through- v. 16 Jan 16 1 million acres) and the 80,000-acre out the region. Southern Blue Ridge Margit Bucher [email protected] (919) 794-4368 Fire Learning Network February 2015 TREX. Photo: Nancy Lee Adamson Beth Buchanan [email protected] (540) 265-5129 Network Landscapes Central Blue Ridge Escarpment Fire Adapted Communities Learning Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains Network pilot community within the Partners in the eight landscapes Great Smoky & Unaka Mountains landscape boundaries. Other counties Nantahala & Balsam Mountains and other grassroots organizations are of The May 2015 workshop New River Headwaters joining FLN work here as well. the Southern Blue Ridge FLN (SBR FLN) Northern Escarpment collaborate to develop, share and apply set new the best available science for the South Mountains attendance records, with participants restoration of fire-adapted ecosystems Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment from 26 agencies and organizations The SBR FLN has expanded across a vast and diverse region. representing local, regional and national North Carolina Division of Parks and positions and administrative units. Recreation—Gorges, Lake James, common The network continues This reflects the many strong working South Mountains, Stone Mountain vegetation maps, models and tools. For partnerships built and maintained State Parks example, landscapes continue to improve to work closely through productive annual workshops, North Carolina Forest Service on a treatment prioritization tool with the Consortium of Appalachian numerous smaller collaborative North Carolina Wildlife Resources developed several years ago, customizing Fire Managers and Scientists (CAFMS) Commission to accelerate transfer of knowledge projects, and regular sharing of tools. it for each subset of partners. Vegetation Network Partners South Carolina State Parks—Devils Fork, modeling has been expanded; these and feedback. The Southern Research Keowee-Toxaway, Table Rock State Station and CAFMS contribute Atlanta Botanical Garden Parks data also help shape where partners Benton MacKaye Trail Association significant resources to monitoring The Nature Conservancy—Georgia, burn on their lands. Enthusiasm about Chestatee-Chattahoochee RC&D the “wall to wall” vegetation maps has and outreach, and bring researchers to North Carolina, South Carolina, Recent Growth Clemson University Tennessee grown into discussion of a planned two- engage with FLN managers. A network of monitoring Central Escarpment Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers The Orianne Society state, three-agency cooperative burn. and Scientists Towns County (Fire Adapted plots across landscape partners Firewise Communities Learning Network) Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina landscapes to track the effectiveness of work together not just through the FLN, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Forest Stewards USDA Forest Service—Chattahoochee- management actions is becoming more but also through a Collaborative Forest Georgia Department of Natural valuable as time goes on. Consistent, Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) Oconee, Cherokee, Nantahala, Resources—Tallulah Gorge State Park Pisgah NFs; Region 8 Regional Office; long-term monitoring over years—and project on the Grandfather Ranger Georgia Department of Natural multiple treatments—is needed to assess District. In 2015, the first landscape- Southern Research Station The SBR FLN is also collaborating Resources—Wildlife Resources Division Western Carolina University the full impact of fire in hardwoods. scale growing season burn on the (Game, Nongame) with Nantahala-Pisgah took place through Georgia Forest Watch the Central Appalachians FLN to map this project in 2015, as did increased Gilmer County, Georgia burning across agency boundaries and Land Trust for the Little Tennessee fire severity. The networks are using the The newest landscape The Fire Learning Network is supported by Promoting Eco- the first two-unit burn day. Mountain True system Resilience and Fire Adapted Communities Together same tools and are working to calibrate National Park Service—Blue Ridge (PERFACT), a cooperative agreement between The Nature their maps. They also hope to connect , Georgia Blue Conservancy, the USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Parkway; Great Smoky Mountains NP; Department of the Interior. For more information, contact fire effects seen at the plot level with Ridge Mountains, continues to expand Southeast Regional Office Lynn Decker ([email protected]). landscape-level effects identified with in breadth and scope. FLN partners v. 16 Dec 15 17 satellite imagery. are working with Towns County, a Washington

Dry Forests Reese Lolley [email protected] (509) 248-6697 Fire Learning Network Kara Karboski [email protected] (509) 454-5736 x 129 Landscape Partners North Central Washington Bureau of Land Management Restoration DemonstrationCANADA Landscape Center for Natural Lands Management Omak Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship Coalition More than three million acres Chelan Department of Defense—Joint Base Lewis Leavenworth McChord Fish and Wildlife Program of dry bad for people, wildlife, air and water; tleSeat Wenatchee forests in central and eastern Washing- others view fire as wasteful, using up Kittitas County Conservation District ton need active restoration. Intensifying resources that could otherwise be har- Olympia Ellensburg Okanogan Conservation District wildfires threaten wildlife habitat, clean vested. And since the 1970s, increasing WASHINGTON South Central Washington Resource TapashMt. Ranier Sustanable Yakima water, recreation and local livelihoods. concerns about air quality have led to Forest Collaborative Conservation & Development Council The fires also cost taxpayers increasing- regulations that originally restricted Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative The Nature Conservancy ly large sums to suppress. Our network the burning of logging slash in western Portland provides leadership in the North Central WashingtonPrescribed Fireto be Council applied statewide. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service—Turnbull OREGON Washington Forest Collaborative, the National Wildlife Refuge Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative USDA Forest Service—Okanogan- To initiate a shift in this culture, in and the Washington Prescribed Fire Wenatchee National Forest 2010 this network took a lead role in Council, all of which work to identify of fire adapted communities (FAC)— USDA Forest Service—Region 6 expanding the North Central Prescribed and employ strategies that increase the working with those living with, and Washington Department of Fish and Fire Council to a statewide organization, Wildlife—North Central Region; pace and scale of active restoration and those responsible for management of, Two complementary tools developing its capacity to “protect, Prescribed Fire Crew; several wildlife increase community resiliency. fire in the wildland-urban interface. conserve, and expand the safe and management areas We are working closely with the FAC can be responsible use of prescribed fire on Washington State Department of Natural Learning Network pilot community of used to restore forests and reduce the the Washington landscape to meet Resources—Southeast Region Leavenworth, just north of the Tapash social, ecological and economic costs both public and private management Yakama Nation—Fisheries, Forestry landscape, as they test approaches for of wildfires: mechanical thinning and objectives.” The Council now brings Yakima County Fire mobilizing community members in controlled burning. The key barrier to together a diverse set of people from their various roles. The network is also using fire to meet economic, social and federal and state agencies, industry, helping to start a FAC pilot community ecological restoration goals is cultural. and NGOs, representing clean air, in the Tapash landscape, where it has There is a historically strong cultural homeowner, industry, policy and land long worked on cross-ownership con- make proactive choices that benefit the bias against fire in the Evergreen State management perspectives. The Council trolled burning and the Tapash Collab- landscape and people living there. —birthplace of the “Big Burn” of 1910. is working to identify policy barriers orative Forest Landscape Restoration Many see fire as being too risky or as and recommend changes to expand the Project. Two FAC workshops in early safeFire useAdapted of controlled Communities burning. Network Landscapes 2014 brought community members The Fire Learning Network is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted Tapash Sustainable Forest Collaborative together to learn about FAC concepts Communities Together (PERFACT), a cooperative & fire adapted community The FLN is also using a new approach, and share ideas for taking action. This agreement between The Nature Conservancy, the integrating social and ecological aspects network sees FAC as a fruitful new USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Depart- North Central Washington Restoration ment of the Interior. For more information, contact Demonstration Landscape of wildland fire by engaging a broader approach to engaging community Lynn Decker ([email protected]). 18 network of fire professionals and com- members, which provides a means to v. 30 Dec 15 munity members through a framework discuss land management options and Western Klamath

Mountains Will Harling [email protected] (530) 627-3202 Fire Learning Network Bill Tripp [email protected] (530) 627-3446 x 3023 Landscape Partners CAL FIRE Deer Creek GIS Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression Inc. The Western Klamath Mountains Happy Camp Fire Safe Council Karuk Tribe Mid Klamath Watershed Council FLN is focused on scaling up the use National Oceanic and Atmospheric of prescribed fire through creation of managers to characterize fuelbreaks Administration—Fisheries a community-based Type III Incident across the landscape based on factors Northern California Prescribed Fire Council Management Team to bring good fire that determine when and how each Salmon River Fire Safe Council Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges to all corners of the 1.2-million-acre fuelbreak should be used. Salmon River Restoration Council planning area. Through the Western University of California, Berkeley Klamath Restoration Partnership, we bring together a diverse array of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service are also conducting landscape-level tribal, local, state and federal partners USDA Forest Service—Klamath National fire planning, and have begun an to implement prescribed burns for Forest; Six Rivers National Forest ambitious pilot project on the Ukonom community protection and resource USDA Forest Service—Pacific Southwest Ranger District. That project is demon- benefits. FLN leads are also on the Research Station strating a collaboratively agreed upon steering committee for the California USDA Natural Resources Conservation strategy of creating strategic fuel Service—Fortuna Service Center; Yreka Fire Science Consortium, work with breaks with manual and mechanical Service Center the Intertribal Timber Council, were treatments, then implementing large- involved in the development of the scale prescribed burns in the wildland- SEE MORE Western Region Strategy Committee’s urban interface as initial treatments to “Catching Fire: Prescribed Burning in Northern California,” highlights work by the prescribed Phase II Report and Action Plan, bring fire back to forests that have not fire council, the Karuk Tribe and the Orleans/Somes Bar Fire Safe Council. and work closely with the Northern http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWriDpfZnXQ seenExtensive it in over outreach a century. California Prescribed Fire Council. From the fall 2015 Klamath River TREX: to the community • In an informal interview, a second-time participant talks about her first TREX experience, and stakeholders has created a grass- and why she’s back for more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChNwGuqJjQc roots movement to re-shape how we • Eureka TV station KIEM ran a special report “Degrees of Damage: Managing the Burn” manage fire in the Klamath Mountains, that talked about the why and how of prescribed burning. http://kiem-tv.com/video/special-report-degrees-damage-managing-burn-part-two while at the same time saving taxpayer funds and creating resilient forests and communities. Examples of innovative Top: A temporary sign alerted drivers to prescribed programs and products from our burning during the fall 2015 Klamath River TREX. The Fire Learning Network is supported by FLN include the Community Liaison Photo: Jeremy Bailey/TNC Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted Program that has greatly improved Left: A landowner celebrates a burn on his property Communities Together (PERFACT), a cooperative relations between fire management during the Fall 2013 Northern California Prescribed agreement between The Nature Conservancy, the Fire Training Exchange. Burns like this are helping USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Depart- teams and local communities through communities become better adapted to fire in this ment of the Interior. For more information, contact the sharing of key information, and the landscape. Photo: Mary Huffman/TNC Lynn Decker ([email protected]). firelines geodatabase, a collaboratively v. 16 Dec 15 19 developed GIS product that allows fire Chumstick Wildfire Boise Fire Department Stewardship Coalition Ada County, ID Fire Adapted Communities Leavenworth & Plain, WA Island Park Sustainable Fire Community Island Park, ID & West Yellowstone, MT Washington FAC Network Project Wildfire Fire Adapted Dovetail Partners Learning Network Deschutes County, OR Colorado Ely, MN New Jersey Fire Safety Council Southern Oregon Forest pinelands of NJ Restoration Collaborative Jackson & Josephine Counties, OR Karuk Tribe Klamath Mountains, CA Networking to Build Community Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team Lake Tahoe, NV/CA Resilience to Wildfires Chestatee/ routinely take tactics that others are Nevada Network of Launched in 2013 Chattahoochee using to help communities live with Fire Adapted Communities RC&D Council California Fire Safe Council Towns & White , the Fire Adapted fire and adapt them for their own Counties, GA circumstances. Across the country, Communities Learning Network is Although creating fire adapted Greater Flagstaff Forest Partnership Florida Forest Service stewarded by the Watershed Research interest in the network is high. Flagstaff/Coconino County, AZ Baker County, FL and Training Center and The Nature FireWise of Southwest Colorado La Plata, Montezuma & Archuleta Counties Austin Fire Conservancy. Together with the U.S. communities is itself one of the three Department The Forest Stewards Guild Travis County, TX Forest Service and the Department of broad goals of the National Cohesive western & north-central NM Coalition for the Upper South Platte the Interior, we share a vision of Wildland Fire Management Strategy, in Fire Adapted New Mexico Douglas, El Paso, Jefferson, Park & Teller Counties, CO accelerating the adoption of fire adapted reality helping communities live with community (FAC) concepts across the fire involves all three goals: Sixteen pilot communities nation using a tested learning network • Restore and maintain resilient land- The FAC Learning Network and five approach. scapes in all jurisdictions; emerging state-wide networks are is modeled • Prepare communities so they can active in the FAC Learning Network, after—and integrated with—the Fire live with and withstand a wildfire with plans to continue expansion. Each Learning Network, which has been without loss of life and property; and of these efforts is building capacity and focusing on restoring fire-adapted land- • Safely, efficiently and effectively raising awareness about wildfire resil- scapes since 2002. Learning networks respond to wildfires when they ience through a host of preparedness, are ideal vehicles for addressing happen. mitigation and recovery activities. complex issues such as wildland fire Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network adaptation. The FAC Learning Network Collective Value Proposition connects people and projects to avoid We help society live safely with wildfire. “reinventing the wheel,” and encourages the development and sharing of This is accomplished by network members as we: In just a few years innovations. • Share inspiration, innovations, ideas, lessons learned and best practices, we have created a • Create and maintain connections, community of FAC practitioners that • Enable their communities to become more fire resilient, includes non-profit groups, Fire Safe • Foster and grow sub‐networks, Working together: Community work days, like this Councils, Resource Conservation • Create a broader understanding of FAC concepts and principles, one near Woodland Park, CO (top), let “many hands make light work” while strengthening community and Development Councils, Firewise • Influence policy and funding, and ties. At the 2014 national workshop, the Austin Communities boards, fire departments, • Develop products that FAC practitioners can use in their communities and and Boise fire departments discovered their very community collaboratives and others. different places had much in common, leading to a regions. series of learning exchanges (bottom) in 2015. Everyone in the network knows that Photos: Coalition for the Upper South Platte; TNC they20 can call on their peers for advice, feedback and resources. Participants A Sampling of Projects Undertaken by FAC Learning Network Members Network members help their communities become more resilient by taking action before, during and after wildfires. Recent examples include: • Partnering with a statewide community sustainability NGO to add wildfire resilience to the mix (NJ) • Leading outreach efforts for a Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (OR) • Evacuating an entire town in a wildfire preparedness drill (NV) • Taking part in a team deployed in a pilot effort to support FAC strategies in an area currently experiencing large wildfires (CA, CO, WA) • Hosting local Wildfire Community Preparedness Day activities (AZ, CO, MN & others) • Maintaining websites to provide FAC information tailored to local or state needs (CA, NM, WA & others) • Taking part in state, regional and national conferences to share FAC expertise (CA, GA, NV, TX & others) • Sharing their FAC stories with media ranging from small local papers to NPR’s Morning Edition (CO, GA, NJ, WA & others)

How Does the Fire Adapted Top row: Communities from coast to coast are threatened by wildfires. From left: one of the many Communities Learning Network 2008 fires, as seen from Hayfork (CA) High School; Work? other network participants also attend 2011 Los Conchas Fire in Santa Fe National Forest, conferences and give presentations Most of the 19 organizations NM; 2007 Warren Grove Fire near Barnegat Town‐ about FAC and the FAC Learning Net- ship, NJ. Photos: WRTC; International We are connected Space Station; NJ Forest Fire Service. work. leading Bottom row: Communities in the FAC Learning local or state efforts in the FAC Learning to the larger FAC Network work at many different scales to mitigate Network receive modest funding from community through the Fire Adapted wildfire risk, from promoting individual and neigh‐ borhood action to addressing landscape resilience the program to support local FAC work Communities Coalition, which includes and fire-related policies. At the very local scale, and promote the expansion of FAC the Forest Service, U.S. Department we have learned that demonstration sites can be a to new communities. A core team of of the Interior, Insurance Institute powerful tool for convincing homeowners to take In 2015, the FAC Learning Network and Fire Learning action. From left: pilot community demonstration “netweavers” and coordinators works Network met together in Santa Fe for several days for Business and Home Safety, Inter- sites in Barnegat Township, NJ, Leavenworth, WA directly with the network participants of presentations, discussions—and plenty of one- national Association of Fire Chiefs, and Island Park, ID. to foster connections among them. on-one networking. Photo: Liz Rank/TNC National Association of State Forest- Photos: Wendy Fulks/TNC; Andrew Holm; Guy Duffner/TNC Network participants also meet in ers, National Fire Protection Associa- person annually, and quarterly through tion, National Volunteer Fire Council, webinars. On a day-to-day basis, learning, they produce quick guides, U.S. Fire Administration, NWCG WUI members use an invitation-only online communications tools, and other Mitigation Committee, the Watershed We reach out workspace to share successes and resources. Research and Training Center, and The The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network is resources, and to pose questions and Nature Conservancy. Together we are supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and In addition to netweaving to a broader audience engage in conversations. helping homeowners, communities and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative through our website and blog, where agreement between The Nature Conservancy, USDA , core team we share important resources and land managers in fire-prone areas to Forest Service and agencies of the Department of members support the deployment post regularly about key FAC issues prepare for and recover from inevitable the Interior through a subaward to the Watershed fires—to “live with fire” safely. Research and Training Center. For more information, of a variety of local FAC tactics and and best practices, pilot community contact Nick Goulette ([email protected]). strategies, and harvest learning successes, resources and other topics v. 6 Jan 16 21 from them. Capturing the network’s of interest. Core team members and www.FACNetwork.org Fire Adapted Austin Travis County Communities Wildfire Cooperative

LEARNING NETWORK On adoption of the plan FAC Contact: Justice Jones [email protected] , a CWPP task- (512) 974-0199 force member from the city Watershed In September 2013 Protection Department said that they KEY PARTNERS , before joining are “passionate about serving the com- Travis County— the FAC Learning Network, the City munity and are excited that, together, Office of Emergency Management of Austin hosted the state’s first Fire we can accomplish collaboration in a Transportation and Natural Resources Adapted Communities Symposium in way that has never been done before.” City of Austin— an effort to build buy-in and consensus Her comment also reflected how fire Working in the Austin Water Utility around the FAC concept. The work- and water interests have aligned for a CITY OF AUSTIN and 21 communities Fire Department shop provided a common operating common purpose, with transparency at risk in TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas Office of Homeland Security and picture of how cooperators could and commitment to find areas of agree- Emergency Management The most critical action leverage the concept into action. ment. In the end, there was much more Planning and Development Review agreement than had been imagined identified Department possible—the 940-page plan reflects a Department hopes to accomplish a was the completion of the Community Watershed Protection cultural shift that started with appre- cultural shift by sharing with others Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) for Capital Area Fire Chiefs Association hension and ended with cohesion. The what we have learned: that wildfire an area that only recently realized that CWPP will be leveraged to implement is everyone’s fight—and that fight Small Cities Alliance of Travis County wildfire was a part of their new reality. Future FAC efforts a local cohesive strategy that connects starts with understanding your role. Texas A&M Forest Service The plan development and review to the FAC Learning Network by shar- process lasted almost two years as the will include the ing lessons learned and embracing Austin Travis County Wildfire Coalition Building on this monumental integration of WUI considerations into Wildfire is everyone’s fight— innovations. —a multijurisdictional taskforce— land management planning, develop- and that fight starts with worked to find common ground in effort, ment of a local prescribed fire network understanding your role. a novel environment. The plan was the City of Austin’s Fire Department that includes organizations with pre- unanimously approved by the Austin has several other key FAC goals: scribed burning responsibilities to City Council and Travis County Com- • Leverage the CWPP taskforce into ensure coordination across the county, missioners Court along with the Texas a permanent standing wildfire co- pre-incident planning for both com- understanding of the power of collabo- A&M Forest Service in November 2014. operative, whose focus will be imple- munities and natural areas, and the ration. The Austin Fire Department development of a functional evacuation menting the cohesive strategy at the Being a part hopes to learn from the successes and local level using the newly adopted model. challenges that other communities CWPP as the springboard. of the FAC Learning Net- have experienced, and to develop a • Engage the public by effecting a work is facilitating benchmarking with model for wildfire preparedness that cultural shift from feeling at risk to other communities at risk, increasing other large municipalities and counties becoming empowered to act. During exposure to novel research and subject can use to rapidly implement a local matter experts, and providing a better cohesive strategy. The recently-adopted Austin Travis County Com- the CWPP recognition ceremony and The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resil- munity Wildfire Protection Plan was celebrated subsequent workshop, the over- ience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The Nature by stakeholders and the public during a signing arching theme was an interest from Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a ceremony on November 14, 2014. subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. Photo: Austin Fire Department communities at risk across Travis For more information, contact Nick Goulette ([email protected]). 22 county to recognize their role in v. 24 Nov 15 wildfire preparedness. Austin Fire Fire Adapted Communities Boise Fire Department

LEARNING NETWORK FAC Contact: Capt. Jerry McAdams [email protected] (208) 570-6576

The Boise Fire Department COMMUNITY PARTNERS Ada County Emergency Management / Ada County is engaged Working in Juvenile Court Services / Ada County Parks & in many FAC activities. These are Boise and Austin Fire Department personnel tour Waterways / Ada Soil & Water Conservation supported by a variety of grants and, the Idaho Botanical Gardens Firewise Garden in ADA COUNTY District / Boise High School / Boise Parks since 2015, through its participation in May 2015, as part of an Austin/Boise Fire Depart- Idaho Department / Boise Planning & Development ment Learning Exchange. the FAC Learning Network. Beginning City of Boise communities Services / Boise Public Works Department / Photo: J. McAdams/Boise Fire Department City of Eagle / Eagle Fire Protection District / in 2011, the City of Boise has been busy Boise Heights NA / Collister NA / Columbia Village / Cove East / East End NA / Harris Harris Ranch Wildlife Mitigation Association with many wildfire mitigation projects, Ranch NA / Highland NA / Homestead Rim / Healthy Hills Initiative / Hidden Springs including managing many supported by / Hulls Grove / Oregon Trail Heights / Quail Town Association / Kuna Rural Fire District our partner, the Southwest Idaho RC&D. its partners. For example, a tour for the Ridge NA / Surprise Valley / Meridian Fire Department / North Ada County Fire & Rescue District / Star Joint These include creating fuel breaks using Public Lands Foundation examined an Firewise Communities Central Foothills / Columbia Village / Fire District / Stone Creek Fire LLC / Whitney selective sagebrush thinning, grazing area where a fatal wildland fire burned, Fire Protection District / and numerous goats, herbicide application and re- Morningside Heights / Quail Ridge / and where several years of phased Warm Springs Mesa homeowner and neighborhood associations seeding. City of Boise Neighborhood wildfire mitigation work have taken REGIONAL PARTNERS Boise State Reinvestment Grant funding has also place to reduce future risks. More in- University—Department of Geosciences; supported chipping of hazardous fuels depth versions of this tour were part Public Policy Center / Bureau of Land for homeowners in targeted neighbor- Management / Idaho Bureau of Homeland of the April 2015 IAWF International Security / Idaho Department of Fish & Game hoods in the Boise wildland-urban Another RC&D-supported project Wildland Fire Safety Summit and / Idaho Fire Chiefs Association / Idaho Fire- interface. Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire wise / Idaho Power / Idaho Transportation is Conference and the Austin (Texas)- Department / International Association the acquisition and installation of an Boise learning exchange sponsored by of Fire Chiefs / International Association of Wildland Fire / National Interagency FTS Remote Automatic Weather Station the FAC Net. The Boise Fire Department In the Oregon Trail area, a late fall herbicide appli- cation on a 100-acre hillside strip followed spring Coordination Center / NextDoor / Southwest (RAWS) in the Boise Front; this includes also shares its expertise in classes at the goat grazing; reseeding is scheduled for fall 2016. Idaho RC&D / University of Idaho—Dept. of a VHF radio that can alert firefighters in National Interagency Fire Center and at A fatal wildfire took place in this area in 2008. Agricultural Economics & Rural Sociology / real time to changing weather conditions Boise Fire Headquarters, teaching seg- Photo: K. McCormick/Boise Fire Department USDA Agricultural Research Service during wildland firefighting operations. ments on FAC concepts; Ready, Set, Go!; With a Western States Fire Grant and Firewise and local wildfire mitigation Through participation matching partnership funding from Ada activities to professional firefighters. activities, and provides opportunities partners and provide consistent, County Emergency Management the in FAC Net to share experiences with others. The effective countywide public outreach, Boise Fire Department is using remote workshops, we have made new Boise Fire Department’s long-term in addition to ongoing boots-on-the- sensing (LiDAR) data, to create a county- contacts and learned a great deal FAC goal is toThe bring Fire Adapted in additional Communities Learning Networkground is wildfiresupported mitigationby Promoting Ecosystemactivities. Resil- wide wildfire risk map and associated about wildfire mitigation initiatives ience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The Nature software that will improve assessment, Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a Sharing what has been learned around the country. The department planning and public outreach. subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. has found that using FAC concepts For more information, contact Nick Goulette ([email protected]). is and messaging helps streamline and v. 24 Dec 15 23 also important to the department and tailor mitigation and public outreach Fire Adapted Chestatee-Chattahoochee Communities RC&D Council

LEARNING NETWORK FAC Contact: Frank M. Riley, Jr. [email protected] (706) 897-1676 REGIONAL PARTNERS Blue Ridge Mountain Soil & Water During our first year Conservation District / Broad River Soil & Water Conservation Volunteers at Leisure Woods Retirement Park— District / Georgia Dept. of Agriculture / Georgia Dept. of in the FAC Towns County’s second designated Firewise Natural Resources / Georgia Forestry Commission / Georgia Learning Network, the number of Fire- Community—marking the first neighborhood Mountain Regional Commission / Hall County Soil & Water chipper day. Photos: Frank Riley Conservation District / Stephens County Soil & Water wise communities in Towns County Working in grew from three to ten. Since then the Conservation District / The Nature Conservancy / Upper TOWNS COUNTY, Georgia Chattahoochee River Soil & Water Conservation District / number has grown to nineteen, with including the communities and USDA Forest Service— Chattahoochee/Oconee National another six communities in the process subdivisions of Asheland Cove / Forest / USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of completing plans, holding work days Autumn Ridge on the Creek / Bell communities in the area—and maintain COMMUNITY PARTNERS Blue Ridge Mountain Electric and submitting the paperwork needed Creek Estates / Brasstown Creek Wildfire calls in Towns County the ones we have—to further reduce Membership Corporation / City of Hiawassee / City of Young for Firewise community recognition. Estates / Cedar Cliff / Frog Pond Harris / Towns County 911 Mapping / Towns County Chamber wildfire calls. We continue to focus on Community / Hi River Country / of Commerce / Towns County Commissioner / Towns County have homeowner education by all methods Hiawassee Overlook / Lake Forest Emergency Management Services / Towns County Citizens dropped 75 percent since starting the available, and will work on private Estates / Leisure Woods Park / Coalition / Towns County Fire Corps / Towns County Fire Pine Crest / Plantation Villas / FAC/Firewise program. At a time when lands hazard mitigation where possible. Rescue / Towns County HOA & individual community HOAs / two neighboring counties had 57 and River Ridge / Riverstone Heights Towns County Schools / Young Harris College Most of our wildland-urban interface / Scarlets Way / Soapstone 33 wildfires, Towns County had 7. This is connected to national forest land, Community / Woodlake / Young NEW COUNTY PARTNERS Lumpkin County CERT / is attributed in large part to the which has limited opportunities for Harris College / Young Harris Lumpkin County Commissioners / Lumpkin County Emergency steady flow of messages from the FAC Mountain Management / Lumpkin County Fire Department / Union fuel reduction. However, the Forest County Commissioner / Union County Fire Rescue / White group about wildfire safety and risk Our success is due largely Service is planning more prescribed and expanding into County CERT / White County Commissioners / White County reduction around homes. burns in the future, which will help WHITE COUNTY and Emergency Management / White County Fire Rescue / to the achieve the risk reduction that LUMPKIN COUNTY White County HOA Our long-term goal formation of a FAC Citizens Coalition, communities would like to see. made up of six local citizens and as part of the The May 2015 Wildfire Community Preparedness Day representatives from three fire agencies network is to continue to spread FAC featured a live exercise simulating a wildfire/house fire (U.S. Forest Service, Georgia Forestry concepts among all of the 13 counties situation with multiple events unfolding. Sixty-three Commission and Towns County Fire). volunteers took part in this training for first responders in northeast Georgia served by the from Towns County Emergency Services; U.S. Forest The coalition gives local ownership to Chestatee-Chattahoochee RC&D, and to Service; Georgia Forestry Commission; Towns County citizens—and FAC leaders have begun help facilitate their spread across the Commissioners, Sheriff and 911 and Chestatee- spreading the concept to other Southeast through the learning network Chattahoochee RC&D. The exercise, in a Firewise counties in the area. As a result, new community, met with very positive results from process. The team’s ultimate goal is to first responders and the citizens involved. FAC programs have recently been help citizens make their homes and started in White, Lumpkin and Union property safer from wildfire and The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resil- Counties in northeast Georgia, and to minimize losses. This will boost ience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The Nature more counties are inquiring about Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a The current focus the economies and quality of life of starting their own FAC programs. subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. communities across the region, up the For more information, contact Nick Goulette ([email protected]). 24 for this FAC Appalachians from Georgia to Virginia v. 14 Dec 15 group is to develop more Firewise with RC&D Councils facilitating efforts. Fire Adapted Chumstick Wildfire Communities Stewardship Coalition

LEARNING NETWORK FAC Contact: Hilary Lundgren [email protected] (509) 630-2836 The fires of 2014 and 2015 KEY PARTNERS Treatment demonstration projects to prepare for American Red Cross—Apple Valley in wildfires and a toolkit of resources to mitigate wildfire after-effects are among the projects help- Chapter north-central Washington illustrated ing make north-central Washington more Bavarian Village Business Association resilient to wildfire. Photo: Andrew Holm both learning opportunities and the Cascadia Conservation District challenges of building a resilient Working in Chelan County Fire District 3 community. Over the last year, CWSC LEAVENWORTH and PLAIN, Chelan County—Department of endeavored to learn firsthand from Washington Emergency Management, Public our neighbors who withstood loss fires; CWSC was invited to present Utility District, Public Works, Sheriff and braved recovery during and after business continuity planning in the City of Leavenworth these catastrophic events. CWSC’s Methow (according to the Methow Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce efforts and regional exchanges of Chamber of Commerce, businesses National Weather Service have a chance to share lessons knowledge, in combination with were better prepared as a result of North Central Washington Economic learned with communities across the fire season, led to an increase in this); the North Central Washington Development District the nation. Lessons learned by requests for services and collaborative Economic Development District joined Okanogan Conservation District others across the country benefit our partnerships. The volume of requests CWSC as a partner at a collective South Central Washington Resource programs, organizational capacity and demonstrates the significant need impact workshop; and a community Conservation & Development Council constituency; our own lessons shared for enhanced economic resiliency, of practice was formed by the CWSC, USDA Forest Service—Okanogan- broaden the impact of the CWSC business continuity planning and long- Okanogan Conservation District, and Wenatchee National Forest beyond the Chumstick. term recovery planning to prepare the Yakima Fire Adapted Communities Washington Fire Adapted Communities our community for future wildfire Coalition to continue the learning. WILDFIRE VISION The Chumstick Coalition envisions Learning Network incidents. CWSC is working with local The connections are leading to Washington State Department of partners, including the Fire Learning collaborative efforts and building progress toward a resilient community In 2015, CWSC convened Natural Resources Network, to develop these plans. community connectedness throughout living with wildfire. Fire is a natural By engaging with the FAC Learning part of north-central Washington, Washington State University— a group the region. Network but the 2014 wildfires changed the Cooperative Extension of business owners and civic leaders environmental, economic and social Wenatchee Valley Humane Society from Leavenworth and areas heavily , our communities and contexts in which we view fire. These and local residents & landowners impacted by the 2014 wildfires organizations have the ability to changes present both tremendous to explore what it means to be a join forces, link resources and learn challenges and tremendous The Fire Adapted Communities resilient business community. Several from the experiences of our network opportunities. We are working to Learning Network is supported by themes emerged—the importance of partners—all invaluable opportunities. Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and leverage these opportunities to create communication, the need for adequate We believe that mutual learning is Fire Adapted Communities Together, resilient governments, businesses a cooperative agreement between and comprehensive insurance, and critical to healthy collaboration and and residents, all connected and The Nature Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and the toll of a disaster on a business we strive to incorporate a strong agencies of the Department of the Interior through collaborating to change the way we community. Valuable connections learning component into all of our a subaward to the Watershed Research and Training live and work in fire country. Center. For more information, contact Nick Goulette were made through this process: activities. As communities begin ([email protected]). Leavenworth offered to assist to adapt and respond to fire—and v. 14 Dec 15 25 Methow with news releases during change the way we view fire—we Fire Adapted Coalition for the Communities Upper South Platte

LEARNING NETWORK Contact: Jonathan Bruno [email protected] (719) 748-0033 To successfully implement www.cusp.ws Logs from a thinning project are stacked for sale. KEY PARTNERS the Front Whenever possible, CUSP sells logs to local Colorado Parks and Wildlife Range Fire Adapted Communities businesses to offset treatment costs. Photo: CUSP Colorado Springs Utilities Program, the Coalition for the Upper Colorado State Forest Service South Platte (CUSP) focuses on areas Denver Water of high to extreme fire risk and critical Working in Florissant Fire Protection District infrastructure, with an emphasis to CUSP works to tie together completed on federal, state and local WOODLAND PARK and along the Front Range Fuels Treatment Partnership our communities’ values. agency lands, utilities lands and Colorado Front Range Help the Needy completed private properties. This coordinated Jefferson County and planned forest management in work increases the overall impact on Mile High Youth Corps the watershed to increase the overall ecosystem resilience, wildfire risk Northeast Teller County Fire Protection Also a priority District impact on ecosystem resilience and reduction and watershed protection. positioned to even more effectively Park County wildfire risk reduction. This program are projects in at- implement forest management projects. Pikes Peak Wildfire Prevention Partners of work includes: risk wildland-urban interface (WUI) Participation in the FAC Learning Pikes Peak Fire Learning Network • implementing Community Wildfire zones along the Colorado Front Range. Network affords staff opportunities to Teller County Protection Plans and landscape- Having completed over 1,000 acres of discuss with others in the fire and land The Nature Conservancy scale activities that reduce treatments in 2015, CUSP has begun management field both challenges and U.S. Air Force Academy hazardous fuels; to expand its area of influence, and has new approaches to creating more USDA Forest Service • increasing forest resiliency; begun mentoring several other non- resilient communities. The FAC and local homeowners associations profit organizations facing the same Learning Network has also raised • raising community awareness, With a skilled staff challenges. the organization’s national visibility, preparedness and ownership; and Looking ahead further extending its impact. • building local capacity for project of 25 and new CUSP works in areas adjacent management and implementation. pieces of equipment, CUSP is well , CUSP will be focusing on risk reduction in the home ignition to zone, and in creating cross-boundary projects that are planned, already understanding of the needs of both the underway, or have been recently community and of the ecosystems on the Front Range of Colorado. It is our belief that both landscapes and A CUSP crew burns piled slash in the snow, to remove excess fuels from the forest when the risk communities’ values must be under- of wildfire is at its lowest. Photo: CUSP stood for effective forest management projects to succeed.The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resil- ience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The Nature Knowing that the only way to protect our commu- Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a Before and after forest restoration work completed nities is by working together, CUSP volunteers lend subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. in the Woodland Park area. Photos: CUSP a hand. Photo:CUSP For more information, contact Nick Goulette ([email protected]). 26 v. 16 Jan 16 Fire Adapted Communities Dovetail Partners

LEARNING NETWORK FAC Contact: Kathryn Fernholz [email protected] (612) 333-0430 Ely, Minnesota KEY PARTNERS Ely Emergency Preparedness is a community within Committee hiking distance of the Canadian border Firewise—Northeast Regional Specialist and about a four-hour drive north of Lake County the Twin Cities. With a population of Working in ELY, Minnesota Minnesota Department of Natural about 3,400, Ely is in the middle of a Resources complex landscape. Forests in this Morse/Fall Lake Township region have regrown from the heyday FIRE SAFE COUNCIL VISION of railroad logging and Paul Bunyan USDA Forest Service To engage and encourage community Vermilion Community College more than 100 years ago. Ely also The owners of this lake resort have worked with the partnerships to establish a wildfire provides a gateway to the Boundary Firewise program in Lake County and the Forest Service to mitigate wildfire risk on their property. resilient landscape for Ely and the Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, draw- Photo: Lake County surrounding wildland-urban ing residents and visitors from all over Ely is on the frontlines interface. the world. of wildfire risk for many reasons. The area has increases the risk of destructive crown fires, including the May 2012 Highway beautiful forests, but the forests are In the summer of 2014 fuels reduction projects using our 1 wildfire. thick with balsam fir which burns CWPPsWe will as also a baseline. continue like paper when green and is almost , local Ely FAC as bad as a box of matches when it partners came together to implement to work with is dead and dry. The balsam fir and a “chipper day” fuels reduction project. the Ely Emergency Preparedness other understory growth in the forests This event sparked the interest of Committee to establish evacuation around Ely can act as ladder fuel and more neighborhoods, residents and strategies for Ely residents. And we lake associations. Additional chipper hope to work with County Emergency days have been held since then, and managers on much-needed evacuation local leadership and capacity are plans/routes in the surrounding Partners are also developing For Ely, being fire adapted developing. wildland-urban interface. an Ely requires Area Fire Safe Council. The goal of the balancing recreation needs, resource Ely’s first annual Chipper Day was sponsored by local FAC partners in the summer of 2014. Council is to engage and encourage utilization and public safety. That’s not Photos: Gloria Erickson community partnerships to establish always an easy balance to strike, but A FAC and Firewise presentation held at the a wildfire resilient landscape for Ely we are makingThe Fire progress. Adapted Communities Learning Network is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resil- Morse/Fall Lake Fire Department was aimed at and the surrounding wildland-urban ience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The Nature raising awareness about the need for homeowners interface. Our main objectives are to Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a in the Ely region to create defensible space. subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. Photo: Gloria Erickson provide education and demonstrations For more information, contact Nick Goulette ([email protected]). of Fire-wise best practices, and to v. 15 Dec 15 27 continue to identify and implement Fire Adapted FireWise of Communities Southwest Colorado

LEARNING NETWORK FAC Contact: Pam Wilson [email protected] (970) 385-8909 Since joining the FAC Net Best Practices for Working in Homeowners Montezuma, La Plata, and Archuleta Counties in 2014, • development of a in southwest Colorado FireWise of Southwest Colorado has directory, REGIONAL PARTNERS BLM—Southwest District Field Office / hosted and participated in numerous • a low-income pilot project in Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control / Colorado State Forest Service / Mountain Studies stakeholder events to discuss, plan and Montezuma County that included Institute / NRG Consulting / San Juan Citizens Alliance / San Juan Mountains Association / Short implement activities across its three- fuels reduction and hardening of Forestry / Southern Rockies Fire Science Network / Southwest Conservation Corps / University of Colorado, Boulder—Institute of Behavioral Sciences / USDA Forest Service— Rocky Mountain county area. These have included taking homes on four individual properties Research Station, San Juan NF part in public meetings hosted by La and creation of a fuel break to protect ARCHULETA COUNTY PARTNERS Archuleta County— Administrator, Board of County Commissioners, Plata County to support new driveway a 96-unit mobile home park, County Landfill, OEM / BIA—Southern Ute Agency / Colorado State University—Archuleta County standards, hosting a wildfire forum in • a new partnership with the La Plata Extension Office / Los Pinos FPD / Pagosa Area Water and Sanitation District / Pagosa FPD / Pagosa Montezuma County where 30 people County GIS Department to map fuels- Springs High School / San Juan Headwaters Forest Health Partnership / Stollsteimer Watershed Group discussed opportunities for increasing reduction efforts across the region, / USDA Forest Service—San Juan NF (Pagosa RD) / USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service wildfire preparedness, and a workshop • a collaborative effort conducting LA PLATA COUNTY PARTNERS BIA—Southern Ute Agency / City of Durango / Durango & Silverton on FAC and wildfire preparedness for fuels mitigation work on conserva- Narrow Gauge Railroad / Durango FPD / Fort Lewis Mesa FPD / La Plata Conservation District / La FireWise convenes two working Plata County— Board of County Commissioners, OEM, Planning and GIS Departments / La Plata realtors, insurance agents and residents. tion easements near communities groups Open Space Conservancy / Los Pinos FPD / Upper Pine River FPD / USDA Forest Service—San Juan NF with FireWise Ambassadors or (Columbine RD) — a Regional Council and Biomass CWPPs, and MONTEZUMA COUNTY PARTNERS BIA—Ute Mountain Ute Agency / Colorado Division of Parks Utilization group. These arose from a • working with the San Juan National and Wildlife / Cortez FPD / Cortez Open Learning High School / Dolores County OEM / Empire wildfire collaboration conference we Forest to highlight a 1,200-acre Electric Association / Four Corners Bar Association / Four Corners Home Builders Association / K&N prescribed burn conducted adjacent Fuels Management / Lewis-Arriola FPD / Mancos FPD / Montelores Habitat Partnership Program hosted in 2014, and now host twice FireWise continues to support / Montezuma County— Administrator, Board of County Commissioners, County Landfill, OEM / yearly for partners to share information to a Firewise Community. Montezuma Land Conservancy / National Park Service—Mesa Verde National Park (Fire Management) and discuss issues. The biomass working the / Pleasant View FPD / Tri-State Generation and Transmission Cooperative / USDA Forest Service— group is addressing opportunities for Firewise Communities USA program, Dolores Public Lands Office / Ute Mountain Ute Fire and Rescue / Western Area Power Administration developing a biomass industry in the adding three new communities in Top of page: The 2014 FireWise chipper rebate region. FireWise has contracted with 2015, for a regional total of 11. We also program provided almost $20K in rebates to 91 residents and HOAs, who matched with $107K the Colorado State Forest Service and support National Wildfire Preparedness In 2015 and 4,065 hours of work. Photo: Pam Wilson Colorado State University for a biomass Day with events in all three counties. Right: A 2014 tour of the 2012 Weber Fire. utilization study. In the meantime, , our Montezuma County co- Due to education, mitigation and evacuation FireWise continues to address the need planning laid out in their CWPP, no homes ordinator hosted several meetings with were damaged in the 10,000-acre fire and all for slash disposal through operation of the Forest Service, local water conserva- residents were evacuated safely. several slash depots and a chipper rental tion districts, Bureau of Reclamation Photo: Cortez Journal/Jim Mimiaga rebate program, and by providing and others to determine interest in The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resil- funding for homeowner association use FireWise also champions starting a collaborative group to protect ience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The Nature of an air curtain burner. the McPhee Reservoir water supply, Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. many FAC- which is primarily the Upper Dolores For more information, contact Nick Goulette ([email protected]). related28 projects that support wildfire Watershed. Interest is strong and we v. 24 Dec 15 risk reduction. These have included: plan to continue convening the group. Fire Adapted Communities Florida Forest Service

LEARNING NETWORK FAC Contact: Ronda Sutphen [email protected] (850) 681-5929

As part of our FAC KEY PARTNERS Baker County Board of County Learning Network Commissioners activity, FFS works with new and A core working group leads the FAC efforts of the Florida Forest Service. Photo: FFS Baker County Fire Department existing partners in Baker County to Baker County Sheriff’s Office— undertake fire adapted communities Working in BAKER COUNTY, Florida Emergency Management Division activities that address mitigation Baker County Veterans Council challenges and opportunities. A kickoff City of Macclenny event in 2014 brought community Council, Longleaf Initiative, North Flatwoods Management LLC leaders, stakeholders and key partners Florida Prescribed Fire Council and Florida Division of Emergency together to learn about the idea of fire members of the public. The Taylor Management adapted communities—and about the Firewise Community USA held its Florida Division of State Parks importance of the concepts to Baker annual Community of Taylor Firewise Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission County and surrounding communities. Day for residents and volunteers as Florida Forest Service Work since then has continued this In 2015 well. These events highlighted pilot Greater Okefenokee Association of important conversation. community FAC initiatives, the Baker Landowners , for example, the Baker County County CWPP, Firewise and the IAFC North Florida Prescribed Fire Council Community Wildfire Protection Plan Ready, Set, Go! program. Handouts, Plum Creek Timber Company (CWPP) was updated to incorporate displays and presentations showcased Rayonier Inc. FAC concepts. The completed plan was the Firewise principles of defensible Taylor Firewise USA Community added to the Local Mitigation Strategy space and landscaping for wildfires, The Longleaf Alliance as an appendix, where it enhances the and the application of ignition- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service— Wildfire Protection Element of the resistant construction and hazardous Looking forward Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge strategy by providing a wildfire risk fuel reduction. Outreach to the community through many venues forms a key part of the FAC work in the county. USDA Forest Service—Osceola assessment and a ready list of mitigation , a FAC/Firewise Photo: FFS National Forest projects that address defensible space coordinator will be guiding efforts. for wildfires, ignition-resistant Continuing outreach will engage Through FAC Learning Network construction and hazardous fuels Community events residents and assess hazards, host reduction. The Fire Adapted Communities tours of successful defensible space Learning Network is supported by in Baker County, and mitigation projects and otherwise activities and CWPP objectives, actions Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and have brought together a diverse range promote fire adapted communities are expected in three new Firewise Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between of experts and stakeholders including actions in the county. A core working Communities (Community Protection The Nature Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and the Baker County Agricultural group will be training members of Zones) by the end of 2016. The county agencies of the Department of the Interior through Extension Agent and staff members, the Baker County Veterans Council fire department also recently adopted a subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. For more information, contact Nick Goulette Baker County Board of County to assist in and conduct Firewise the RSG! program, and the core working ([email protected]). Commissioners, Baker County Fair assessments for county residents and group will be providing support to v. 16 Jan 16 29 Association, Baker County Veterans help prepare them to take action. help the department implement it. Fire Adapted Communities Forest Stewards Guild

LEARNING NETWORK FAC Contact: Eytan Krasilovsky [email protected] (505) 983-8992 x 16 Public and stakeholder KEY PARTNERS Angel Fire—Fire Department engagement A prescribed fire training exchange (TREX) in Octo- is a high priority for this partnership, ber helped build local capacity while treating fuels Chris’s Tree Service as is building capacity to implement on 255 acres near Black Lake City of Santa Fe—Fire Department FAC projects in northern New Mexico. Photo: Mark Meyers/NMSLO Fire Services Support, LLC We continue to make tremendous Working in La Cueva Road The Forest Stewards Guild Other key efforts strides on both fronts. SANTA FE COUNTY and McKINLEY McKinley County COUNTY, New Mexico New Mexico Association of Counties joined the have included: and the communities of Angel Fire / New Mexico State Forestry New Mexico Wildland Urban Interface • overhauling and maintaining www. Black Lake / Bluewater Acres / Dixon / New Mexico State Land Office Summit planning team in the spring of fireadaptednewmexico.org based on La Cueva / Penasco / Santa Fe / Timber Santa Fe County 2014 and helped plan a three-day event feedback from partners; The Nature Conservancy—New Mexico around the theme of fire adapted • discussing FAC issues on local radio Lake Ranches USDA Forest Service—Cibola National communities. This relationship has and in newspapers; The Guild continues to expand Forest, Santa Fe National Forest continued in 2015 and 2016. We also • leveraging existing relationships Wildfire Network continue to work with the City of Santa with landowners and The Nature and Fe FAC Coalition and with the budding Conservancy to collaboratively leverage FAC Net investments with The fall TREX combined Wildfire Network, which has recently broadcast burn 101 acres on private companion projects and funding. For training, treatments and been incorporated as a nonprofit land across two ranches in a high example: outreach: a local reporter organization to provide a one-stop conducted a video interview priority WUI area in McKinley County • We are midway through a three- with the NM State Lands shop for mitigation information. The in late 2015; year project supported by the Forester during ignitions. Nature Conservancy has invested in • working with New Mexico State Forest Service’s Collaborative Forest Photo: Mary Stuever/NMSF local FAC efforts to expand impact by Forestry and other partners to Restoration Program to restore convening peer learning workshops in incorporate lessons learned and forests and improve watershed the Rio Grande Water Fund region. ideas from the national FAC Net into conditions in a high priority area Association of Counties that will the formal guidance for all new and Combining implementation adjacent to values at risk identified expand the tablet-based home- updated CWPPs in the state. in the local CWPP. site risk assessment program into and out- • In 2015 the Guild completed a Socorro County. reach, the Guild continues to integrate project in McKinley County, reducing • In 2016 the Guild is working on two FAC outreach and education into our fuels in the home ignition zone for CWPP updates, and the Wildfire youth conservation crew program. 30 homes. Network will be writing another, Every summer over 45 rural youth • Fire Service Support is working that will incorporate FAC ideas and work for nine weeks across six Forest on a projectThe forFire Adaptedthe New Communities Mexico Learning Networkapproaches. is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resil- Service ranger districts on three ience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The Nature Kids gather around a matchstick “forest fire” national forests. These crews work Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a demonstration at an Earth Day outreach event in subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. Santa Fe. Photo: Forest Stewards Guild on FAC and conservation projects like For more information, contact Nick Goulette ([email protected]). 30 fuels reduction and prescribed fire line v. 16 Jan 16 construction. Fire Adapted Greater Flagstaff Communities Forests Partnership LEARNING NETWORK FAC Contacts: Mark Brehl [email protected] (928) 637-0547 Anne Mottek Lucas The Greater Flagstaff Forests [email protected] Partnership (928) 213-0413 http://www.gffp.org/ (GFFP) is a long-standing collaborative of academic, environment- KEY PARTNERS al and private organizations and Arizona Game and Fish Department municipal, county, state and federal Working in the Arizona Prescribed Fire Council agencies. Since 1996, we have worked GREATER FLAGSTAFF AREA Arizona State Forestry Division to increase community protection COMMUNITY of northern Arizona Centennial Forest through research and demonstration During the 2015 Flagstaff Festival of Science, City of Flagstaff community members helped mark trees for thinning of approaches to restore the natural by the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project. Coconino County ecosystem structure, function and Photo: Mark Brehl Coconino County Conservation District composition in the ponderosa pine Flagstaff Fire Department forests surrounding Flagstaff. GFFP forest treatments and recognize Friends of Northern Arizona Forests Northern Arizona University— has helped lead a shift in public under- property owners with publicly visible Ecological Restoration Institute standing and support for proactive of the FAC Net and our partners. Our signs acknowledging their contribution Northern Arizona University—School forest management—increasing Firewise landscaping contest in May to a more fire adapted community. of Forestry awareness of threats our forested generated incredible excitement, with We are planning treatments at Ft. communities face and the solutions Ponderosa Fire Advisory Council GFFP contributes cash prizes for the five homeowners Tuthill County Park, which sees more underway to reduce our risk. Southwest Fire Science Consortium who best showed that a fire adapted than 100,000 visitors a year, and will The Nature Conservancy to two important landscape can be both practical and build a kiosk to explaining fire and initiatives in the state: the Flagstaff beautiful. This event generated on- forest management efforts and the Watershed Protection Project (FWPP) going interest, with buzz for the 2016 responsibilities of people living in and Four Forest Restoration Initiative contest starting months ahead of time. a fire adapted community. To raise (4FRI). On the 4FRI project, we lead GFFP also hosted events at the week- support for the increasing pace and monitoring of contractors’ economic long Flagstaff Festival of Science, scale of treatments in our forests, contributions. In the FWPP, we worked including a hike on Observatory Mesa, GFFP will hold a harvesting methods with the City of Flagstaff and Arizona and an exercise that allowed people of workshop to help people understand State Forestry Division to plan, fund all ages to experience hands-on marking novel harvesting approaches like cable and oversee a 475-acre restoration of trees in an area harvested just days and helicopter logging. As we work to Fire smart and beautiful describes the landscaping of the winners of GFFP’s 2015 Fire Adapted project on Observatory Mesa, city- later in a FWPP thinning project. With create resilient forests and safe and Landscaping Contest. Photo: Mark Brehl owned land within the FWPP boundary. fun and fresh approaches, we continue sustainable communities, we look We also continue cost-share assistance to foster community awareness that forward to another successful year. The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resil- to private landowners, with several transforms the public into active ience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The Nature hundred acres of treatments planned partners in our effort to reduce wildfire Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a GFFP hosted numerous events GFFP looks forward in the coming year. risk and restore forest health. subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. For more information, contact Nick Goulette ([email protected]). in to another active v. 7 Jan 16 31 2015 that promote common goals year. We will continue to facilitate Fire Adapted Island Park Communities Sustainable Fire Community

LEARNING NETWORK FAC Contact: Les Fadness [email protected] (208) 680-6852 The Island Park Sustainable Fire KEY PARTNERS Community Farm Bureau Insurance Fire Safe Landscaping, LLC (IPSFC) is a collaborative Fremont County group of concerned citizens along High Country RC&D with representatives from the private Idaho Bureau of Homeland Security Smokey Bear was a popular visitor at Island Park’s Working in sector, non-profit organizations and first Wildfire Awareness Week. Idaho Department of Lands local, state and federal agencies. The ISLAND PARK, Idaho and Idaho State Fire Marshall— IPSFC is working diligently to help WEST YELLOWSTONE, Montana Department of Insurance balance the scales of the wildland Island Park volunteer Fire District urban interface and fire adapted opportunities to meet Smokey Bear, OUR VISION The Nature Conservancy—Idaho (Flat communities. We are committed to and demonstrations by the Island Park Human and ecological communities Ranch) developing a strong social, ecological Volunteer Fire Department, U.S. of Island Park and West Yellowstone USDA Forest Service—Caribou-Targhee Recent actions and sustainable forest community. Forest Service and the Community are resilient to fire, insect and disease National Forest (Ashton and Dubois Outreach representatives through awareness, outreach and Ranger Districts) have included doing Emergency Response Team. action. and above all, homeowners and property risk evaluations for homeowners, con- also con- owners of the Island Park Caldera ducting fuels reduction demonstration tacted 300 people during the 2015 Website: www.islandparksustainablefirecommunity.com projects and hosting tours of them, summer season, handing out brochures Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IslandParkSustainableFireCommunity giving presentations at homeowners’ and talking with property owners association meetings and other venues, about IPSFC and its offerings, including Right: Fuels cut and ready for removal at one of the first four defensible space demonstration projects launching a website and Facebook the risk evaluations, Wildfire Aware- of the collaborative. Photos: Jessica Simpson page. Slash pickup days have also been ness Week, and slash pickup days. As scheduled throughout the Island Park a result of the postcard mailings and area, and 5,000 postcards for home face-to-face contacts, IPFSC received evaluations were sent to owners of 156 requests from property owners homes and other property in the area. to complete risk evaluations on their enough woody fuels to fill about 80 A full-time project coordinator, two properties. The first 121 evaluations 10-wheeled dump trucks—were The bar is set high outreach representatives and two fuels were completed by the end of 2015, hauled away and disposed of. specialists provide a core to coordinate with the remainder set as a top Wildfire Awareness Week To conclude for 2016. IPSFC and carry out this work. priority for the spring of 2016. The Fire Adapted Communities and its partners plan to improve on Learning Network is supported by reached the summer’s activities, these programs and activities, including Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and about 400 people in 2015. Discussion the second annual slash pickup days completing six more demonstration Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between topics included wildfire risk to homes, took place in September. Homeowners properties to show what properly The Nature Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and disaster preparedness, insurance in subdivisions as far south as mitigated homes and lots look like. The agencies of the Department of the Interior through coverage for homes and property, Pinehaven and as far north as Henry’s summer may bring wildfire challenges, a subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. For more information, contact Nick Goulette and firefighting responsibilities of the Lake put slash by the side of the road but Island Park is committed to ([email protected]). 32various agencies in the area. There for IPSFC to haul. During a three-week developing strong social and ecological v. 28 Nov 15 were also games and prizes for kids, period, 960 cubic yards of slash— communities to meet them. Fire Adapted Communities Karuk Tribe

LEARNING NETWORK FAC Contact: Bill Tripp [email protected] on the Nickowitz Fire and Gasquet (530) 627-3446 x 3023 The Western Klamath Restoration WKRPComplex, has and developed responded to incidents Partnership throughout northern California. a new approach (WKRP) is a multi- to cultural resource surveys that stakeholder collaborative working includes Cultural Vegetation Character- to improve forest resiliency and istics as indicators for site-specific Working in Participants in the fall 2015 Klamath River TREX community safety. Both the Fire Adapted management. These efforts are being practiced the use of fire for environmental CECILVILLE, FORKS OF SALMON, education, community protection, cultural resource Communities Learning Network and led by three staff. We are also building HAPPY CAMP, ORLEANS, SAWYERS enhancement and eco-cultural revitalization. WKRPFire Learning has successfully Network play leveraged important on existing skillsets of partner organiza- Photos: Stormy Staats/KSMC roles in the partnership. tions in the fields of wildlife, forestry BAR, SEIAD and SOMES BAR, and and botanical data collection and with INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES Northern California Prescribed Fire funds from multiple sources to support LiDAR validation. Eighty food-grove in northern California Council its work. BIA Reserved Treaty Rights assessments have been completed, Northwest California Fire Science Lands program funds have enabled the providing valuable information on Consortium hiring of an Assistant Fire Management stand dynamics and cultural food and Orleans Volunteer Fire Department Our current focus Orleans-Somes Bar Fire Safe Council Officer, a Wildland Fire Operations fiber resource considerations. through this process, lessons learned Salmon River Restoration Council will help formulate the next pilot Specialist and a Prescribed Fire and includes further Salmon River Volunteer Fire and Rescue Fuels Technician. The tribe is admin- expansion of WKRP activities to projects, in the Happy Camp and Stanford University istering the Incident Qualifications and achieve our vision of establishing and Salmon River communities. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Certification System (IQCS) and has maintaining resilient ecosystems, KEY PARTNERS U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service developed an MOU with the Mid- communities and economies guided by Bureau of Indian Affairs University of California, Berkeley Klamath Watershed Council and Salmon cultural and contemporary knowledge CAL FIRE University of California, Davis River Restoration Council, to facilitate through a truly collaborative process Deer Creek GIS University of Oregon qualification development under that effectuates the revitalization of Firestorm Wildland Fire Suppression Inc. USDA Forest Service—Klamath NF, Happy Camp Fire Safe Council Shasta-Trinity NF, Six Rivers NF; National Incident Management System. Withhuman a relationshipsmulti-organizational with our dynamic The new positions and IQCS are critical landscape. Inter-Tribal Agriculture Council Pacific Southwest Research Station; Inter-Tribal Timber Council Region 5 State and Private Forestry to building the local capacity needed , to increase our Cohesive Strategy Klamath Forest Alliance USDA Natural Resources Conservation Among these efforts integrated networking approach, the Klamath Salmon Media Collaborative Service—Fortuna Service Center, Yreka implementation efforts. partnership has begun planning and Mid Klamath Watershed Council Service Center are Prescribed implementation in and near the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Watershed Research and Training Center Fire Training Exchanges (TREX); in Western Klamath Mountains FLN Administration—Fisheries Western Region Strategy Committee 2015 a Tribal Representative, Incident landscape. The Somes Bar Integrated Commander, Wildland Fire Operation Wildland Fire Management and The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resil- Specialist and several others took part Capacity Development Project will ience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The Nature in TREX. Our handcrew also prepared demonstrate the use of linear treat- Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. fireline for the TREX and for Forest ments to confine larger prescribed For more information, contact Nick Goulette ([email protected]). Service controlled burns. On wildfires, burn units and safely scale up fire v. 14 Dec 15 33 we engaged a Tribal Representative management activities. As we work Fire Adapted New Jersey Communities Fire Safety Council

LEARNING NETWORK FAC Contact: William F. Brash, Jr. [email protected] (732) 890-0725 The New Jersey Pinelands KEY PARTNERS Barnegat Fire Company are “ground Barnegat Township zero” for wildland-urban interface (WUI) Horizons at Barnegat in the state. These pine barrens are an Mirage at Barnegat extremely flammable ecosystem. The Above: The 2007 Warren Grove Wildfire burns New Jersey Forest Fire Service area, in south-central New Jersey, has behind businesses on County Route 72 in Barnegat Working in New Jersey Forest Service become popular with retirees, who are Township. Photo: Kevin Burke/NJ Forest Fire Service Pinelands in south-central New Jersey Sustainable Jersey mainly new arrivals with little or no Below: That fire burned right to the brink of the USDA Forest Service Our fire adapted communities work mobile home Community of Brighton at Barnegat. understanding of their fire risk. The FAC Learning Network has resulted in new Wildfire Fuel Hazard for Ocean County relationships with residents and the owner of the community, with an emphasis on the Firewise and Being part of the FAC Learning has been at two scales. At the local Ready, Set, Go! programs and on wildfire resiliency. Network level, the Barnegat Fire Company Photo: NJ Forest Fire Service conducts workshops with Barnegat has been very beneficial for Township communities to keep them New Jersey. We have learned about the informed of the risk reduction efforts value and potential of Fire Safe Councils being made. Two Firewise Communities at both the local and statewide levels, —Horizons and Mirage—have talented, and as a result have formed a statewide council, and plan to support as many motivated liaisons who keep their water communities informed and productive local councils as are needed to benefit Our long-term goals low in reducing risk through mechanical New Jersey’s WUI residents. moderate fuel reduction projects. They have also are to create a high begun spreading the FAC word to other very high under the program, communities must network of fire resilient municipalities extreme WUI communities in the township and implement wildfire preparedness using existing fire prevention and pre- urban Barnegat Township beyond. Our top priorities in Barnegat programs and other actions. These may paredness programs, and to coordinate agriculture Township are to continue to promote include the Firewise and Ready, Set, Go! those efforts through a statewide Fire barren land Firewise and Ready, Set, Go! in the programs, developing Community Safe Council that trains local members most vulnerable neighborhoods, and to Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) and targets funding to motivated create additional evacuation routes for Map: NJ Forest Fire Service At the state level and Community Forestry Management councils where preparedness efforts one of our largest WUI communities. Plans, and instituting a Fire Safe will provide the best return on There are 56 retirement communities with 125,000 residents in Ocean County, including 5 communities , we work with the Council to coordinate efforts at the investment. In this way we hope to (7,400 people) in Barnegat Township. environmental community to promote municipal level. We have worked with bring additional state and federal wildland fire resiliency through the Sustainable Jersey to define this suite resources toThe New Fire AdaptedJersey’s Communities FAC efforts. Learning Network is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resil- existing Sustainable Jersey Program. of emergency preparedness actions, ience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The Nature This has involved developing a suite and have drafted a model municipal Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. of emergency preparedness actions ordinance that municipalities can For more information, contact Nick Goulette ([email protected]). tied34 to that program. To reduce their adapt to develop their own Fire Safe v. 28 Dec 15 risk and be certified as “resilient” Councils. Fire Adapted Communities Project Wildfire

LEARNING NETWORK FAC Contact: Alison Green [email protected] (541) 322-7129

Project Wildfire’s flagship program KEY PARTNERS , The first Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (TREX) Bend Fire Department / Brooks in Oregon took place in May 2015. Project Wildfire FireFree, had a burst of growth in 2015, led the media outreach efforts, which included a Resources / Brown & Brown Insurance with the spring event breaking the TV commercial, radio PSAs and a printed handout / Bureau of Land Management / explaining the benefits of prescribed fire. Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project record set in 2014 with a 27 percent Working in Photo: Alison Green / Deschutes County—Board of Com- increase in participation. This spring DESCHUTES COUNTY, Oregon surge suggests that more residents are missioners, Community Development, including 7 CWPP areas preparing for fire season before smoke Emergency Manager, County Forester Bend / East & West Deschutes is on the horizon. All the agencies more than 80,000 residents, about half / Deschutes River Woods / Deschutes Another opportunity County / La Pine / Redmond / Sisters involved in wildfire prevention and the population of Deschutes County. Rural Fire Protection District #2 / / Sunriver / Upper Deschutes River preparedness were able to coordinate for shared International Association of Fire Chiefs Coalition messages well ahead of fire season— learning was made when a local fire / National Fire Protection Association / and local residents not only prepared district hosted five firefighters from and 19 Firewise Communities North Rim HOA / Oregon Department for fire season, but offered aid to parts the United Kingdom for two weeks. Aspen Lakes / Awbrey Glen / Caldera of Forestry / Oregon State University— Central Oregon also hosted of the state affected by large wildfires. The firefighters—from Hampshire Fire Springs / Cascade Meadows Ranch / Extension / Ponderosa Pines Property Crosswater / Deschutes River Woods Owners Association / Rimrock West its first and Rescue Fire Department—visited / Fall River Estates / North Rim / HOA / River Meadows HOA / Shevlin Prescribed Fire Training Exchange in the National Interagency Fire Center, Ponderosa Pines / Rimrock West / Commons / Singletree Enterprises LLC May 2015. With input from partners, Central Oregon Dispatch and Project River Meadows / Spring River / Star / Sisters Fire Department / Sunriver Project Wildfire produced a range of Wildfire, and fought a fire at Canyon Ranch / Sunriver / Sunset View HOA / Sunset View Estates HOA / The outreach tools about prescribed fire. Creek. The Hampshire personnel Estates / The Ridge at Eagle Crest Highlands at Broken Top / The Nature The 10-day media campaign reached learned more about how wildfires are managed in the United States using / Tollgate / Wild River / Woodside Conservancy / Tollgate HOA / Upper central Oregon as a model. While Ranch Deschutes River Coalition / USDA there are wildland fires in the U.K., Forest Service / Western Region they are not as common—or as large— Cohesive Strategy—Chair, Committee as in the U.S. West. For the hosts, network. Ideas for CWPP revisions, Coordinator sharing information and experiences how to document home assessments, with other fire professionals was an a successful networking day agenda, The Fire Adapted Communities opportunity to better acknowledge and other guides developed by FAC Learning Network is supported by our fire risk and take action on the partners and shared through the Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and appropriate levels to make central network have given Project Wildfire Fire Adapted Communities Together, The knowledge a cooperative agreement between Oregon more fire adapted. motivation to implement similar ideas The Nature Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and FireFree activities led by Project Wildfire—such as brought to Deschutes in Deschutes County. Looking forward, agencies of the Department of the Interior through slash disposal opportunities—support residents’ County from being part of the FAC Project Wildfire plans to capitalize on a subaward to the Watershed Research and Training efforts to make their properties better prepared for Center. For more information, contact Nick Goulette wildfire. Photo: Alison Green Learning Network has been more relationships built within the network ([email protected]). valuable than Project Wildfire had to implement a successful training v. 24 Dec 15 35 even hoped for when joining the exchange in the Pacific Northwest. Fire Adapted Southern Oregon Forest Communities Restoration Collaborative

LEARNING NETWORK FAC Contact: George McKinley [email protected] www.sofrc.org The Southern Oregon Forest KEY PARTNERS Restoration Collaborative Students in grades 6 and 7 clear brush near their Applegate Fire Plan school. SOFRC received one of the 65 Firewise Bureau of Land Management— (SOFRC) grants for community projects awarded by the Medford District works to build support and strategies National Fire Protection Association in 2015. SOFRC, the Applegate Fire District, Ruch School, City of Ashland for cohesive forest restoration across and the BLM partnered to make Ruch school—and City of Grants Pass the dry forests of southwest Oregon. their community—better prepared for fire. Working in Photo: SOFRC Jackson County Our goal is to create resilient forests JACKSON and JOSEPHINE COUNTIES, Jackson County Fire District 3 and communities, support coordinated Oregon Josephine County forest planning, and maintain a vibrant Lomakatsi Restoration Project forest management and utilization Oregon Department of Forestry infrastructure. While our focus is changing climate, and support diverse Oregon State University—Extension on federal lands, the checkerboard habitats, fire-adapted communities, Service landscape of the region encourages economic sustainability and ecosystem KEY RESTORATION PRINCIPLES The Nature Conservancy an all-lands approach to achieve services valued by the community. • Management recommendations Our recent Illinois Valley Timber U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service integrated forest restoration goals. Integrated risk assessments are key to based on historic fire return Sustainability Assessment USDA Forest Service—Rogue River- the strategy, and will help determine intervals, site productivity and Siskiyou National Forest priority needs and opportunities future climatic conditions identified This strategy meets the goals an available, cost-effective, restoration- across the basin. • Reliance on a fine-grained based federal timber supply that of the approach covering a landscape helped leverage state and national Western Action Plan of the National scale investments to enable the retooling Wildfire Cohesive Strategy, and is • Use of both fire and mechanical and reopening of a local mill, informing the update of the fire plans harvest to achieve and maintain ROGUE BASIN ANALYSIS AREA which provides 70 jobs to the rural of Jackson and Josephine Counties. ecological and economic goals community. The assessment was key This process encourages coordination • Support for fire adapted to developing the cohesive forest in local efforts to integrate the three community efforts restoration strategy, working within Cohesive Strategy goals—resilient • Advocate long-term viability of current federal forest management forests, fire adapted communities and critical habitats and species guidelines and land allocations, and coordinated wildfire planning and SOFRC has also completed • Highlight economic benefits of receiving support from the U.S. Fish suppression activity. planning and implementation & Wildlife Service in its effort to The Cohesive Forest Restoration a efficiencies of restoration conserve northern spotted owl habitat. Rogue Basin Strategy climate adaptation action plan for the Rogue Basin. The plan guides The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network is supported by Promoting Ecosystem for the Rogue Basin covers forest restoration planning and Resilience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The 4.6 million acres. It identifies and implementation in a changing climate. Nature Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. prioritizes 50,000 acres for treatment Steps are being made to meet goals For more information, contact Nick Goulette ([email protected]). over36 the next 20 years. Projects will outlined in the plan, including the v. 1 Dec 15 promote resilient landscapes in a Cohesive Forest Restoration Strategy. Fire Adapted Communities Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team

LEARNING NETWORK FAC Contact: Forest Schafer [email protected] (775) 690-7506

With two states KEY PARTNERS South Tahoe High School students help show off the Ember House, an activity for kids to learn California Department of Forestry and , five counties and about how embers catch houses on fire. Fire Protection / California State Parks seven fire districts, the Lake Tahoe Photo: Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team / California Tahoe Conservancy / City Basin presents unique challenges for of South Lake Tahoe Fire Department coordinating FAC activities. Since Working in / Fallen Leaf Lake Fire Department / joining the FAC Learning Network, LAKE TAHOE BASIN communities Fire Public Information Team / Lake the public, and increasing public fire, land management and regulatory in Washoe and Douglas Counties in Valley Fire Protection District / Meeks involvement in decision-making agencies have strengthened partner- Nevada and El Dorado and Placer Bay Fire Protection District / Nevada processes. The team has established a ships by formalizing the role each plays Counties in California Division of Forestry / Nevada Division new workgroup dedicated to forming in creating a fire adapted community. of State Lands / Nevada Network of FAC leadership councils and creating The association of 19 organizations, Fire Adapted Communities / Nevada a Tahoe Basin-wide Fire Adapted called the Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, Failure gains value Tahoe Conservation District / North Community Alliance. facilitates information exchange, the character of the community and Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District / resource sharing and coordinated out- when participating the landscape is gradually shifting to Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District reach and communication across juris- in a learning network. Lake Tahoe become more fire-adapted. To continue / Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team / Tahoe dictional boundaries. The team recently organizations share their successes and the transition, the team is striving for Regional Planning Agency / University completed an updated Community challenges, and in turn learn from an effective partnership of agencies of Nevada—Cooperative Extension Wildfire Protection Plan that contains others throughout the nation. Methods and the public that can be sustained To provide cost-effective / USDA Forest Service—Lake Tahoe action plans to help create communities for sharing and collaborating are being without the need for outside funding. Basin Management Unit where citizens are engaged and active Until 2011 adapted from the national program for maintenance in preparing for wildfire. use in regional networks. Participation of fuels reduction treatments, Basin , a non-profit organization in the FAC Net has helped build a culture agencies seek to increase the use of provided substantial support to Lake where organizations are encouraged prescribed fire, especially on private Tahoe communities working to reduce to take calculated risks that can lead and local government land. The landscaping ignition resistance to allow to important breakthroughs and understory fire to be safely applied fire risk. When the nonprofit went Wildfire is inevitable land is often adjacent to homes and bankrupt, it left communities without innovations in becoming fire adapted. businesses, and the understory burns nearby; and developing agreements and processes for burns that span federal, support and financial assistance. The in the Lake are technically difficult to implement. For more information Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team is focused Tahoe Basin, but catastrophic fire is Increased burning will be facilitated state, local and private ownerships. on rebuilding support functions for preventable. Through FAC programs, by: exchanging resources, knowledge, about the and training to build the skill base in Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team, visit the the Basin; increasing structure and website http://tahoefft.org. The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resil- ience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The Nature Actions from community work days to information tables at block parties, and from chipper days to Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a conducting prescribed burns, are being offered to help communities prepare to live safely in a landscape subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. with inevitable wildfires. Photos: Tahoe Douglas FPD (left), North Lake Tahoe FPD (others) For more information, contact Nick Goulette ([email protected]). v. 28 Nov 15 37 FAC Learning Network State-Wide Efforts Fire Adapted California Communities Fire Safe Council

LEARNING NETWORK Contact: [email protected] (626) 335-7426

The California Fire Safe Council KEY PARTNERS CAL FIRE National Fire Protection Association— (CFSC) is a state-wide nonprofit that Firewise provides wildfire education and out- Working Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council reach support and capacity-building throughout the state of California USDA Forest Service assistance to organizations in California that are engaged in fire preparedness. The California Fire Safe Council This wide-reaching influence and sup- Homeowners participate in home ignition zone manages a grants clearing- port of local community groups makes assessment training organized by California Fire house for the state, and Safe Council. Photo: Katie Martel/CFSC works with applicants to us especially well positioned to spread ensure their success and innovative ideas from local California help them meet their Fire Safe Councils and Firewise responsibilities as A recent area of focus Communities through the FAC Learning grantees. Network, and to bring innovations CFSC is also the For more than 20 years as part of the back to our California partners. state liaison for FAC Learning Network has been to the Firewise , CFSC has increase wildfire preparedness among Communities been a leader in California’s fight to residents in the wildland-urban inter- program. reduce the impact of wildfire. CFSC is face (WUI) through development of an Attendees visit exhibitors at the 2014 Fire Summit, which was hosted by the Southern California recognized by state and federal fire innovative mobile application. This Regional Area Taskforce and sposored by California agencies as a vital link to communities. includes expanding the Ojai Valley Fire Safe Council. Photos: CFSC Private corporations, including utility FSC’s online home safety survey to CALIFORNIA and insurance companies, have shown create a mobile app assessment tool FIRE SAFE COUNCIL CFSC offers workshops generous support for CFSC’s work. for Fire Safe Councils and Firewise MISSION and one-day Communities to use with homeowners. expanded. New website content high- Mobilizing Californians conferences on fire and disaster pre- This tool applies current technology lights successes of local FSCs and Fire- to protect their homes, vention topics several times each year to make the assessment process more wise Communities, and an online forum communities and convenient for in-field implementation in locations throughout the state. Fire allows FSCs, Firewise Communities, environment from wildfires Safe Councils communicate regularly and allows for easy communication grantee organizations and community of assessment findings to the with CFSC to share information about We continue to advance groups to share tips, lessons learned homeowner. local events and successful projects and best practices.The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resil- and outreach programs. In turn, CFSC networking ience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The Nature offers networking and training among local Fire Safe Councils and Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. opportunities that help the local Firewise Communities in California. For more information, contact Nick Goulette ([email protected]). groups continue their critical work in In addition to the workshops and v. 30 Dec 15 39 wildfire prevention and preparedness. conferences, the CFSC website is being Fire Adapted Nevada Network of Communities Fire Adapted Communities

LEARNING NETWORK Contact: Tracy Visher [email protected] (775) 851-5180

KEY PARTNERS Nevada Land Trust has firsthand Bureau of Land Management experience Living with Fire Nevada Division of Forestry with fire in the wildland- USDA Forest Service urban interface: We had two major, Working devastating fires literally in our throughout the state of Nevada own back yard, in November 2011 and January 2012. And we worked with residents and local agencies on NETWORK VISION restoration projects following both. We will be active partners in helping communities across the Galena Forest is one of the potential sites for the It is our vision that we be able to first pilot projects of the Nevada Network of Fire state be better prepared in the face of our inevitable wildfires. be active partners in helping other Adapted Communities. Photo: NLT communities across the state be better prepared in the face of the inevitable The latter part of 2015 next occurrence of wildfire. was an important fact-finding phase for our Service about our potential role as a organization as we worked to build fiscal agent and community partner to assist them in achieving their Cohesive the Nevada Network of Fire Adapted Moving forward Communities. We have discovered Strategy objectives. that we can rely on peers in the FAC , in early 2016 we Learning Network to help us speed the are working with the BLM, NDF, the process. We have been able to contact U.S. Forest Service, Living with Fire network members regularly, asking and our local fire officials to refine lots of questions and increasing our our network’s structure and mission. knowledge base daily. In addition to These important investments of Above: Steamboat Creek habitat destroyed by the valuable connections online and by time and partnership-building at the Washoe Drive Fire in January 2012. phone, we attended a useful grant beginning will help ensure that we can Right: Hydroseeding following the November 2011 Caughlin Fire, which introduced the Nevada Land workshop hosted by FAC Net leaders meet the needs of all stakeholders as Trust to fire in its back yard. Photos: NLT in northern California. We also took we move onward. As we work through part in the second annual Nevada State this process, we continue to reach out The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resil- FAC Network summit and the Cohesive to our FAC Learning Network partners ience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The Nature Strategy Summit hosted by the Nevada to better understand all of the models Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. Division of Forestry (NDF). In addition, we may be able to use elements of, For more information, contact Nick Goulette ([email protected]). 40we met with the NDF, Bureau of Land enabling their lessons to help us build v. 16 Jan 16 Management (BLM) and the U.S. Forest a robust network for Nevada. Fire Adapted Washington Fire Adapted Communities Communities Learning Network

LEARNING NETWORK Contact: Ryan Anderson [email protected]

Washington state Initial Member Communities: Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship experienced its Coalition two largest wildfire seasons in 2014 Flowery Trails Community Association and 2015. As a result, wildfire is on Hidden Valley/Swauk many peoples’ minds and is a high Lincoln County Conservation District priority discussion topic in the state. Okanogan Conservation District The Washington Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network (WAFAC), We’re hearing the phrase “adapting San Juan Island to wildfire,” and the call for more fire with support from the Bureau of Land Management, facilitates learning Seattle City Light-Skagit Hydroelectric adapted communities is increasing in and provides a means to invest resources in member communities around The Washington Fire Adapted Project the state as well. the state that are working to create fire adapted communities. We provide Communities Learning Network Yakima Valley Fire Adapted participating communities and others with resources to engage with Communities Coalition is others in the network, thereby increasing local capacity and elevating our helping to accelerate this by promoting collective ability to adapt communities’ relationships to the complex fire STEERING COMMITTEE and facilitating in-person discussions issues we face. Bureau of Land Management and webinars, getting FAC issues onto Initial members were selected to represent Washington’s geographic and Department of Defense—Joint Base meeting agendas and websites, and ecological diversity. They also represent a cross-section of community size Lewis McChord by giving presentations. This FAC Federal Emergency Management outreach is coming not only from and organizational structure. This diversity is designed to promote sharing and learning across Washington. Agency the central staff team, but from the Kittitas County Conservation District steering committee and community During the 2015 wildfire season Kittitas County Fire & Rescue members as well. Pacific Northwest Wildfire , Coordinating Group the network interacted with Top: Surviving ponderosa pines, about a year after The Nature Conservancy incident management teams and the 2014 Chiwaukum Fire near Leavenworth. USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Prevention Team Left: The Yakima Valley Fire Districts and the Washington Department of Emergency Yakima Valley Fire Adapted Community coalition #4, took part in various recovery drew people with games to their booth where they Management workshops, met with agency leaders shared information of interest to WUI residents. Washington State Department of and government officials, and gave Photos: Ryan Anderson/SCWRCD Natural Resources presentations at the Wildfires and Us Summit in Wenatchee. Through The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network is supported by Promoting Ecosystem Resil- numerous less formal conversations ience and Fire Adapted Communities Together, a cooperative agreement between The Nature we have also led introduced FAC Conservancy, USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Department of the Interior through a subaward to the Watershed Research and Training Center. concepts onto the discussion list of For more information, contact Nick Goulette ([email protected]). state agencies, local governments and v. 16 Jan 16 41 non-governmental entities. Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges (TREX)

Participants are able to spend time Begun in 2008 with a wide variety of people with different backgrounds and experiences, as a way of easing find federal and private jobs in the and everyone gains knowledge, insights bottlenecks in training the prescribed field. Training exchanges also demon- and learning. Participants new to wild- fire workforce, these training events strate how groups can cooperate and land and prescribed fire will say, have since been adapted to meet a collaborate, and by working together, “Wow, I had no idea how organized a number of essential needs. They increase an area’s available fire Help Communities Become More prescribed fire is,” after participating in continue to serve seasoned wildland management capacity. Fire Adapted their first briefing, burn and after fire professionals in need of specific action review. And wildland firefighters experience, as well as students and There is probably no better way learn that people from municipal new firefighters who are beginning to Key partners from the Yurok Cultural Fire Management firefighters and air quality regulators shape their careers. Training exchanges Council and a nonprofit fire management organization for a community to prepare for the to private citizens and students enjoy a moment of levity during a series of controlled also provide opportunities for agencies burns on tribal lands at the fall Yurok TREX. Partnerships inevitable approach of unwanted bring strong ecological and practical to work together and learn efficient between government, tribal and non-governmental wildfire than to burn in and around experience, while other participants organizations are a hallmark of our success—TREX helps ways to coordinate their resources and meet the challenge of reinstating fire as a land manage- the community themselves. There is no bring knowledge and experience in burn windows; give local fire depart- Give Students Hands-on Experience ment tool by bringing together diverse and experienced doubt that controlled burns can reduce policy and management issues. teams of fire practitioners. Photo: Margo Robbins ments training that helps them better with Ecologically- and Culturally- the damaging effects of wildfires and respond to wildland fires; support Appropriate Fire make communities safer. In addition to tribes working to renew traditional completing burns near communities We hear it all the time, burning practices; and help rural and helping local practitioners gain the a newfound respect for prescribed communities working to make them- and numerous experience to conduct further burns, burning, and an understanding that Buildselves Localsafer fromCapacity wildfire. for Safer Fire studies verify it: hands-on learning is TREX events spread this message by accomplishing prescribed burns is a the best kind of learning. Getting out Training exchanges that focus integrating visits from local media into reasonable expectation—and a worth- Bring Together Diverse Crews to and practicing pre-burn briefings, work- their agendas. while goal. We are nurturing a genera- on Foster Learning ing with a fire ecologist to establish tion that will feel confident that they providing basic firefighter training— monitoring plots, walking the range Diversity matters can scale up the use of fire and restore and integrating local fire and forestry with ranchers to under-stand grazing cultural and natural fire regimes at the contractors, local government . Having a wide patterns and rotation schedules, or Support Interagency Cooperation landscape level. agencies and non-profit conservation variety of participants, mixed together working as a trainee firing boss— By forming ad hoc Type 3 organizations—are providing basic and integrated into burn teams, allows these are the experiences that shape job skills training, creating relation- great cross-learning among various fire firefighters and other practitioners. Incident ships and building trust among groups. professionals— federal, state and tribal In partnership with the Student Management Teams to organize and The training and certification of crews, as well as contract fire crews Association for Fire Ecology, TREX host these trainings, individuals, individuals enlarges and improves the and municipal firefighters. Bringing have provided hands-on experience to organizations and agencies are learn- skill level of a new workforce, the students, scientists, researchers, 150 university students, helping build ing that we can manage the potential relationships and trust built help fire private landowners and regulators into the next generation of forest workers liabilities of working together and on 42management service providers find the mix further enriches the learning. and managers. Through these training each other’s lands. We do this by using qualified crews, and TREX participants It has important and potent effects. exchanges, scores of students have tested avenues like MOUs, cooperative Central Oregon TREX May 14-21 The first TREX offered in Oregon gathered 42 participants from agencies and organizations 2015 TREX across the state. Working after other prescribed fire crews had disbanded for the season, they treated 191 acres while developing their skills and strengthening partnerships. (4 TREX) Yurok TREX February 15-23 agreements, shared standards and In the spring, 36 people took part in a TREX collaborative planning. Federal, that completed 150 acres of burning, including 120 acres in support of culturally-important state and private fire teams are thus resources. Led by local contractor Terra Fuego, learning that they can depend on one 14 new FFT2s received training, and another another to support prescribed fire 14 FFT2s were re-certified. projects, just as they depend on each otherIntegrate during Traditional wildfires. Burning In the fall, three TREX ran back-to-back in Tribes that are still practicing northern California: Klamath River TREX fire September 29-October 11 use for traditional purposes—such as In a bold extension of their 2014 success, for food security, regalia and basket this year leaders divided their 90 participants Pale outlines are Fire Learning making materials—are providing into three burn teams. They burned in Happy Network landscapes. additional learning opportunities for Camp, Orleans and Salmon River, completing over 400 acres of treatments around homes participants. Learning from people and on priority tribal projects Niobrara River Valley TREX North Carolina TREX February 15-28 who have a longer and often more Yurok TREX October 12-18 March 14-29 With support from the Southern Blue complex view of the role of fire in an The “Spring Break TREX” has become an Led by the Yurok Tribe’s Cultural Fire Manage- Ridge FLN, Southeast Regional Partnership ecosystem is a great addition to the important part of the education of students for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) ment Council, 17 participants burned 45 acres in numerous university fire and forestry hands-on experience the training to improve access to acorns and basketry Prescribed Fire Working Group, North exchanges offer. Participants may see programs. This year, 23 students from five Carolina State University, The Nature materials for the tribal members engaged in schools came to the Niobrara—some for that fire and people are inseparable, traditional practices. Conservancy, North Carolina Prescribed their first experience with live fire, others to Fire Council and others, 63 participants and that a full exclusion approach to Northern California TREX hone and broaden their skills. Working with in the first TREX in North Carolina braved fire may not only be impossible, it may October 20-November 1 a range of other practitioners, they learned unseasonably cold weather—and ice beWork inappropriate. through Barriers to Burning Burning from the wet side to the dry side about the ecology and culture of fire on the storms—to complete 525 acres of burning By having a diverse body of the Klamath Mountains, 42 professional Great Plains; together, the 67 participants in longleaf pine. This TREX had a good firefighters, students, scientists and managers treated 3,691 acres of grassland with fire. diversity of participants, coming from 15 of partici- completed 246 acres treatments in four Also part of this TREX this year was a week- states and 30 agencies and organizations. pants, and by including ecological, communities and numerous habitat types. end course on ignitions operations for local volunteer fire departments. cultural, regulatory and tactical components into TREX burning, Spanish Language TREX Loup River Valley TREX March 16-27 training, field trips and classroom September 15-October 5 Pheasants Forever hosted this TREX, which focused on private lands used for livestock presentations, participants are finding The fifth offering of the Spanish Language TREX drew 25 practitioners from four production. As in previous years, municipal that the barriers to implementing Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges are supported U.S. states and six other countries for an fire departments from the Colorado Front by Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted prescribed burns can be managed. international exchange of learning. In the Range took advantage of the opportunity Communities Together (PERFACT), a cooperative Participants are learning that by process, they treated 987 acres of forest, to build their wildland fire skills. The 37 agreement between The Nature Conservancy, the collaborating with partners they can including almost 800 acres in a high-priority particpants in the TREX burned 730 acres to USDA Forest Service and agencies of the Depart- part of the Santa Fe municipal watershed. manage woody encroachment in grasslands. ment of the Interior. For more information, contact build a team of experts that have the Lynn Decker ([email protected]). capacity to successfully navigate the v. 8 Jan 16 43 process of achieving good fire at scale. Left: Thinning along a Santa Fe County road to allow wildland fire engines to Scaling-up to Promote pass; slash was laid down to combat erosion and promote understory regen- eration. Center: Glade restoration in the Ozarks. Right: Briefing for a prescribed Ecosystem Resiliency (SPER) burn in Douthat State Park in Virginia.

Beginning in 2011 Ashland Forest All-Lands Restoration Project Pale outlines are Fire Learning Network landscapes; all , modest amounts three SPER projects are associated with a local FLN. of SPER implementation funding have Darren Borgias (541) 821-3723 been strategically targeted to yield [email protected] larger-scale impacts: some SPER SPER III is supporting the expansion of an existing project in the Ashland municipal ( projects have filled gaps or otherwise watershed, helping to integrate ongoing extended work in progress to a land- and new work and partnerships. It is also ( scape scale; other SPER projects have taking on important community engage- been catalysts to accelerate work in ment and capacity-building, developing key places. In the first phase, six SPER the social infrastructure needed for the project’s success. I projects completed more than 20,000 ( in support of ecosystem resiliency, community safety and watershed Trinity Integrated Fire protection. Under SPER II, five projects Management Partnership completed another 3,000 acres of Nick Goulette (530) 628-4206 treatments, and local fire management [email protected] capacity was increased through several David Jaramillo (530) 628-4206 SPER III, begun in 2014 training opportunities. [email protected] Narrow burn windows, complex land , is using a ownership patterns, and local workforce slightly different strategy—focusing capacity are among the barriers to the SPER projects continue to provide on fewer places, more intensively. The effective use of fire in this landscape. Such Integrating Fire Adapted goal is to accelerate the development use of fire—both prescribed and by managing unplanned ignitions—is Communities, Resilient Landscapes of the social and operational capacity essential for protecting communities and opportunities to test, extend and and Response to Wildland Fire in for using fire, for both resource benefit their water supplies and supporting forest accelerate innovative methods of forest the San Juan-Chama Headwaters of and community protection. We think health. Work under SPER III is building the and watershed management to help the Rio Grande Water Fund relationships and workforce needed to of this as getting to “right fire”—fire Laura McCarthy (505) 231-9740 organize multi-owner projects and take restore more naturally functioning at the right time, right place and of the [email protected] full advantage of brief burn windows. ecosystems and reduce wildfire risk right size to move us toward our goal to resources and communities. They Anne Bradley (505) 946-2038 SPER III was also designed [email protected] of living better with fire. model the integration of all three The San-Juan Chama area is one of four to address elements of the Cohesive Strategy— landscapes identified by the Nature water security issues. Resources are where strategic and collaboratively- promoting fire-adapted communities, Conservancy and the Rio Grande Water focused on landscapes where fire developed activities were already resilient landscapes and response to Funds a key to the protection of the water management actions will affect critical planned or underway, but would wildland fire. Ultimately this is the supply for a million New Mexicans. SPER water sources for local communities benefit from the additional input of most effective approach to reduce risk, IIIs i supporting planning and treatments on private lands in this priority landscape. or downstream water users. SPER III funds, partnerships and expertise that reduce damage, reduce the cost of projects are in places where water SPER and the Fire Learning Network suppression, and build capacity for a security issues had been identified and could provide. different future. 44 v. 7 Jan 16

Indexes Areas of Focus & Expertise estern entral Ridge C Oregon Siskiyou W ew Mexico FireScape FireScape Monterey Pikes Peak Centennial Mendocino Great Plains CA Klamath- N Klamath Mts Appalachians South Central Southern Blue WA Dry Forests HABITAT TYPES grasslands     native prairie     forests, eastern deciduous     forests, eastern mixed     oak woodlands / savannas        oak barrens  shortleaf pine    longleaf pine ponderosa pine       forests, other western conifer          forests, other western        pinyon-juniper   sagebrush   wetlands, riparian zones         arid lands  sandhills   old growth       COMMUNITY CONTEXT WUI (wildland-urban interface)            near major population center(s)        FAC Learning Network ties         FireWise communities nearby         CWPPs nearby          smoke issues          

46 OTHER LANDSCAPE CONTEXT OTHER LANDSCAPE POLICY, PROCESSES,POLICY, SKILLS

Focus & Expertise & Focus timber economy natural resource-based wilderness high ownership federal % fragmentation high ownership usedin landscape fire prescribed OHV recreation grazing indigenous fire management practices management indigenous fire council fire prescribed to ties ties JFSP to consortia information public opinion media experience volunteers using protocols monitoring contracting stewardship NEPA planning forest MOUs implementation multi-agency implementation cross-boundary recent wildfires nearby wildfires recent facilitating collaboration facilitating modeling                    CA Klamath- Siskiyou                    Centennial                   Central Appalachians                FireScape Mendocino      FireScape Monterey            Great Plains           New Mexico                      Oregon               Pikes Peak                South Central                 Southern Blue Ridge              WA Dry Forests v. 6 Janv. 16                     Western Klamath Mts 47 Partner Types Organization and agency types of the key partners listed by the FLNs. Groups typically work with many other partners as well, estern

so this table is by no means exhaustive. entral Ridge C Oregon Siskiyou W ew Mexico FireScape FireScape Monterey Pikes Peak Centennial Mendocino Great Plains CA Klamath- N Klamath Mts Appalachians South Central Southern Blue WA Dry Forests FEDERAL AGENCIES USDA Forest Service             Bureau of Land Management        National Park Service    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service          USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service        Department of Defense   other federal       OTHER GOVERNMENTS state agencies & departments              local government agencies & departments          volunteer fire departments   resource conservation districts      tribal agencies & departments      NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS The Nature Conservancy          other conservation NGOs             other NGOs    FireSafe Councils     prescribed fire councils      JFSP science consortia       university extension services   university researchers, faculty, students            PRIVATE & COMMERCIAL PARTNERS private landowners & homeowners  homeowner associations / neighborhood groups   contractors    timber, ranching or agriculture     professional associations     48 v. 6 Jan 16 Managing in Landscapes with Threatened & Endangered Species Many FLNs work in landscapes where species of conservation concern occur. In some cases the FLNs work directly in the management of such species—for example, as part of the Indiana Bat Project in the South Central FLN. In other cases, the work is less direct, or the presence of listed species affects the kinds of actions that are possible. The Indiana bat, northern spotted owl, Jemez Mountains salamander and fisher are among the species and subspecies of conservation concern that FLNs manage for in their landscapes. Photos: Ann Froschauer/USFWS, Rick McEwan, Anne Bradley/TNC, Dave Clayton/USFS estern entral Ridge C Oregon Siskiyou W ew Mexico FireScape FireScape Monterey Pikes Peak Centennial Mendocino Great Plains CA Klamath- N Klamath Mts Appalachians South Central Southern Blue WA Dry Forests birds condor, California (Gymnogyps californianus )  falcon, peregrine (Falco peregrinus )  owl, Mexican spotted (Strix occidentalis caurina )  owl, northern spotted (Strix occidentalis caurina )      sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus )  woodpecker, red-cockaded (Picoides borealis )  mammals bat, big-eared (Corynorhinus townsendii, var. ssp.)   bat, gray (Myotis grisescens )   bat, Indiana (Myotis sodalis )    bat, northern long-eared (Myotis septentrionalis )  bear, grizzly (Ursus arctos )  fisher (Martes pennanti )   mouse, Preble's meadow jumping  ……(Zapus hudonius preblei ) wolf (Canis lupus )  

49 molluscs insects amphibians & reptiles fish Threatened Endangered & Species 50 rock pocketbook, Ouachita ( magazinensis ( shagreen(snail) Magazine Mountain ( skipper, Pawnee montane ( longhorn elderberry valley beetle, burying ( American beetle, ( Mts. Jemez salamander, rattlesnake, timber ( legged red ( frog, frog, Oregon spotted ( trout, cutthroat ( ( bull trout, ( steelhead salmon, salmon, coho ( ( chinook salmon, grayling ( arctic Hesperia leonardus montana leonardus Hesperia Desmocerus californicus dimorphus californicus Desmocerus Salvelinus confluentus Salvelinus ) Oncorhynchus kisutch Oncorhynchus Thymallus arcticus Thymallus Oncorhynchus clarki, Oncorhynchus Rana draytonii Rana Oncorhynchus tshawytscha Oncorhynchus Oncorhynchus mykiss Oncorhynchus Crotalus horridus Crotalus Rana pretiosa Rana Plethodon neomexicanus Plethodon Nicrophorus americanus Nicrophorus Arkansia wheeleri Arkansia ) ) ) ) ) ) ) Mesodon Mesodon ) var. ssp.) ssp.) var. ) ) ) ) )

 CA Klamath- Siskiyou   Centennial

 Central Appalachians

   FireScape Mendocino

  FireScape Monterey

Great Plains  New Mexico     Oregon   Pikes Peak    South Central

 Southern Blue Ridge  WA Dry Forests  ? Western Klamath Mts plants Threatened Endangered & Species trillium, persistent wake-robin ( wake-robin persistent trillium, ( pondberry ( water howellia, ( mountain golden-heather, ( geocarpon running ( buffalo clover, checker-mallow, Keck's ( blazing ( Heller's star, ( Missouri bladderpod, Lindera melissifolia Lindera Geocarpon minimum Geocarpon Howellia aquatilis Howellia Liatris helleri Liatris Physaria filiformis Physaria Trifolium stoloniferum Trifolium Sidalcea keckii Sidalcea Hudsonia montana Hudsonia ) Trillium persistens Trillium ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

CA Klamath- Siskiyou

Centennial

Central Appalachians

  FireScape Mendocino

FireScape Monterey

Great Plains

New Mexico

Oregon

Pikes Peak     South Central

   Southern Blue Ridge

WA Dry Forests v. 7 Janv. 16

Western Klamath Mts 51 Managing Invasive Species Many FLNs manage for one or more invasive plant species. In some cases, this is independent of their fire-related work, but in many cases, fire and invasive species are intricately related, each affecting the other in complex ways.

Prescribed fire training exchanges in the Great Plains help keep eastern redcedar from encroaching on grasslands in the north-central Nebraska'a Niobrara Valley (left ) and in the Loess Hills of Iowa (right ). estern entral Ridge C Oregon Siskiyou W ew Mexico FireScape FireScape Monterey Pikes Peak Centennial Mendocino Great Plains CA Klamath- N Klamath Mts Appalachians South Central Southern Blue WA Dry Forests grasses cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum )  fescue, tall (Schedonorus arundinaceus )  Johnson grass (Sorghum halepense )  medusahead rye (Taeniatherum caput-medusae )   reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea )  silvergrass, Chinese (Miscanthus sinensis )  non-native grasses  trees eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana )   mimosa (Albizia julibrissin )  olive, autumn (Elaeagnus umbellata )  princess tree (Paulownia tomentosa )   tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima )  tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima )      

52 forbs, shrubs, etc. Invasive Species

yam, Chinese ( Chinese yam, whitetop ( varia vetch, crown(Coronilla ( Dalmation toadflax, ( star thistle, thistle, musk ( Canadian ( thistle, ( wort John's St. ( spurge, leafy ( lespedeza sericea ( multiflora rose, garlic ( mustard, knotweed, Japanese cuspidatum (Reynoutria knapweed, maculosa spotted (Centaurea ( diffuse knapweed, hawkweed, orange ( ( poison hemlock, coltsfoot ( Scotch ( broom, ( French broom, ( blackberry bittersweet, Oriental ( Japanese( barberry, Tussilago farfara Tussilago Cardaria draba Cardaria Rubus pascuus Rubus Centaurea solstitialis Centaurea Euphorbia esula Euphorbia Carduus nutans Carduus Dioscorea polystachya Dioscorea Cytisus scoparius Cytisus Hypericum perforatum Hypericum Genista monspessulana Genista Alliaria petiolata Rosa multiflora Rosa Conium maculatum Conium Cirsium arvense Cirsium Lespedeza cuneata Lespedeza Centaurea diffusa Centaurea Berberis thunbergii Berberis Hieracium aurantiacum Hieracium Linaria dalmatica Linaria Celastrus orbiculatus Celastrus ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

    CA Klamath- Siskiyou  Centennial    Central Appalachians    FireScape Mendocino

FireScape Monterey   Great Plains

New Mexico      Oregon

Pikes Peak      South Central        Southern Blue Ridge

WA Dry Forests v. 7 Janv. 16        Western Klamath Mts 53 Actions Taken by FAC Learning Network Members to Address Values at Risk Austin Fire Department Boise Fire Department Chestatee/Chattahoochee RC&D Council Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship Coalition Coalition for Upper the PlatteSouth Dovetail Partners FireWise of Southwest Colorado Florida Service Forest Forest Stewards Guild Greater Flagstaff Forest Partnership Island Park Sustainable Fire Community Karuk Tribe New Jersey Fire Safety Council Project Wildfire Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative Tahoe Fire &Team Fuels state: TX ID GA WA CO MN CO FL NM AZ ID/MT CA NJ OR OR NV/CA WUI training for fire depts E E S E E E S S E S S

wildfire evacution plan N N N N S S N S E S N S community preplanning and utilitization of ICS N E E E E N S* S S E E N S* local area incident management team E E N E E S S E E E cross-trained local crews N E E N E E E S E E E S

WILDFIRE HAZARD AND RESPONSE mutual aid agreements S E S E E S S S E* S S S

risk mapping N N N S E S S S* S E E S E S

watershed management N S S E S S* N S E S S S COMMUNITY

VALUES AT RISK community assessments

(Non-Residential) E N E E S N E E S S N E S E S E home ignition zone (HIZ) assessments & apps E* N E E S N E E S* S S E S E* RISK engagement with HOAs VALUES AT S S E S S N S* E S S E E E N S RESIDENTIAL KEY S = stable E = expanding N = new * = special expertise Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges in northern NM help train local fire Many FAC hubs provide or assist with home assessments as well as 54 personnel. Photos: M. Meyers/NMSLO; Forest Stewards Guild defensible space projects. Photos:North Lake Tahoe FPD v. 7 Jan 16 FAC Learning Network Members' Resources & Strategies

Austin Fire Department Boise Fire Department Chestatee/Chattahoochee RC&D Council Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship Coalition Coalition for Upper the PlatteSouth Dovetail Partners FireWise of Southwest Colorado Florida Service Forest Forest Stewards Guild Greater Flagstaff Forest Partnership Island Park Sustainable Fire Community Karuk Tribe New Jersey Fire Safety Council Project Wildfire Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative Tahoe Fire &Team Fuels state: TX ID GA WA CO MN CO FL NM AZ ID/MT CA NJ OR OR NV/CA CWPPs N E S S E S S* S* S S S S E* S S E* hazard mitigation action plan S E S S E S S S N S N S S S CCRs, codes, ordinances E E S S* E E N S PLANS AND REGULATIONS comp plans/ other plans E N S E S E S S S Ready, Set, Go! E E E S N/E E E E N N Firewise S S E S* S E S E N S E S E E N Fire Safe Councils S* N S S E N N chipping program S E S E S* S S S S awareness day/ week N N E N S N S* E E S N S S S S trainings E E S N S E S S S* S N E E E

REDUCTION PROGRAMS prescribed fire & smoke

WILDFIRE MITIGATION RISK E E E S/E E S S E N E N S* other fuel management N S S E S/E E S S N E S* S N S* local WUI tax or fee N* N S vegetation disposal E S E N E N S S S* grant & funding directory S S* N S N S S RESOURCES dedicated FAC staff S S E E E N E S S S KEY S = stable E = expanding N = new

* = special expertise Chipper days are held in communities across the country. FAC Net works with many Firewise communities Photos: Pam Wilson/FireWise of SW CO, Gloria Erickson, Frank Riley/CCRCD Photos: Florida Forest Service v. 7 Jan 16 55 FAC Learning Network Members' Public Outreach & Partnerships ireWise of orest Stewards Guild Austin Fire Department Boise Fire Department Chestatee/Chattahooche e RC&D Council Chumstick Wildfire Stewardship Coalition Coalition for Upper the PlatteSouth Dovetail Partners F Southwest Colorado Florida Service Forest F Greater Flagstaff Forest Partnership Island Park Sustainable Fire Community Karuk Tribe New Jersey Fire Safety Council Project Wildfire Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative Tahoe Fire &Team Fuels state: TX ID GA WA CO MN CO FL NM AZ ID/MT CA NJ OR OR NV/CA FAC regional workshops E N S E E E E E N N S S E N community / public meetings N E E E S E S S S S S E S E E public demos / learning sites E E S S N S E S N E E E S S FAC brochures N E E E N N N N N N S E N E* PSAs, videos N N S N E N E E FAC website / blog N N E E E N N S N N N S E N social media E E E E E E S S S E N E S E N E

PUBLIC OUTREACH AND INPUT outreach plan N N N N/E E E E S E volunteer groups, citizen coalition N N E E N/E S* N E S E E* N FAC LN self-assessment tool N N N E N N N N N N N N E N FAC steering committee E E E S N N N S partner learning exchanges E N E E E N/E E N N N E S state partnerships E E S S S N E E S S E N E S S PARTNERS regional partnerships N E S E N/E E E S S E E E S S national partnerships N E S S N/E E E E E S S KEY Field tours, volunteer work groups and peer- S = stable learning workshops all play a role in outreach, public engagement and E = expanding partnership-building in the FAC Learning Network. N = new Photos: Boise Fire Dept., CUSP, Forest * = special expertise Stewards Guild 56 v. 7 Jan 16 http://conservationgateway.org/fln http://facnetwork.org