Recap of The Central Coast Regional Meeting
CENTRAL COAST REGIONAL MEETING RECAP
May 11, 2023
Over 300 people came together in Santa Cruz (with over 200 joining online) for the regional meeting of the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force focused on the Central Coast region and ongoing efforts to create more resilient communities and landscapes in the face of wildfires and climate change. The meeting brought together a wide range of experts and agency partners for updates and in-depth panel discussions on the State’s progress on wildfire and forest resilience. Hosted by the California State Coastal Conservancy and San Mateo Resource Conservation District, discussions focused on the unique landscapes and land management issues of California’s Central Coast, with updates and panel discussions about real progress being made on the ground, and opportunities to network with partners from around the state.
If you couldn’t make it in person, or missed the real-time webinar, video recordings are available below.
REGIONAL MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
- Director’s Report: Director Wright provided an update on the status of the 99 key actions outlined in the Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan, outlined the Task Force’s mulita-pronged “Roadmap to Resilience,” and highlighted Task Force partners’ achievements on the Central Coast.
- The Central Coast Mosaic: A panel of experts discussed the Central Coast’s unique ecosystems, safeguarding communities in the WUI, and indigenous land use practices of tribal communities in the region. The Task Force Interagency Science Team then introduced the new data tools for practitioners available in the Task Force’s Regional Resource Kits.
- From Local Collaboration to Regional Action: Two panels of regional leaders discussed 1) the value of collaborative efforts for delivering on Central Coast resource priorities and, 2) how project implementors are navigating complex regulatory requirements.
- Moving Towards A Regional Investment Strategy: A panel of Task Force partners discussed the challenges and opportunities for state-wide funding programs to align programmatically to support locally identified regional priorities.
- Keynote address by Senator John Laird: Senator Laird (CA-17) is a champion of natural resources and authored SB 456 which codified the CA Wildfire and Forest Resilience Task Force. Among his accomplishments, Laird served as Secretary of the California Natural Resources Agency under Governor Jerry Brown (2011-2019) and two-term mayor of Santa Cruz. In his keynote, Senator Laird reflected on the Central Coast as “ground-zero” in recent times for the effects of climate change.
Welcome
• Amy Hutzel, CA Coastal Conservancy
Opening Remarks
• Wade Crowfoot, CNRA
• Jennifer Eberlien, USFS
• Valentin Lopez, Amah Mutsun Tribal Band
• Task Force Executive Committee
Director’s Report
Director’s Report
• Patrick Wright
The Central Coast Mosaic
The Central Coast Mosaic
• Moderator: Steven Ostoja, USDA California Climate Hub
• Virginio Matzek, Santa Clara University
• Chris Dicus, Cal Poly SLO
• Peter Nelson, UC Berkeley
• Peter Stine, Climate & Wildfire Institute
From Local Collaboration to Regional Action
From Local Collaboration to Regional Action
• Moderator: Kellyx Nelson, San Mateo RCD
• Anne Crealock, Marin Wildfire Prev. Authority
• Dylan Skybrook, Santa Cruz Stewardship Network
• Devii Rao, UC ANR
• Steve Auten, Auten Resource Consulting
• Madeline Cavalieri, CA Coastal Commission
• Len Nielson, CAL FIRE
• Paul Hann, State Water Board
Moving Towards a Regional Investment Strategy
Moving Towards a Regional Investment Strategy
• Moderator: Lisa Lurie, Santa Cruz RCD
• Valentin Lopez, Amah Mutsun Land Trust
• Brian Newman-Lindsay, DOC
• Robin Bellows, CAL FIRE
• Chris Zimny, NRCS
• Sherry Hazelhurst, USFS
Keynote Presentation
• Senator John Laird, CA 19th District
Closing Remarks
• Task Force Co-Chairs
Recap of Sacramento Task Force Meeting
SACRAMENTO TASK FORCE MEETING RECAP
March 30, 2023
The California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force held its quarterly meeting at the California Natural Resources Agency in Sacramento and live on Zoom.
The agenda and video recordings are available below.
MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
- Looking Back: Members on this panel highlighted major accomplishments from state and federal agencies in 2022, shared preliminary results from California’s Year in Fire analysis, discussed what field monitoring reveals about the effectiveness of fuels treatments, and what recent wildfires reveal about the effectiveness of defensive space and home hardening. Subjects covered include:
– What have we accomplished?
– How do we measure the impacts of fires? California’s Year in Fire
– Are treatments working?
- Moving Forward: Presentations covered the questions that components of the Regional Resource Kits are meant to address: What are our goals and how do we define them? What is the current condition of our landscapes? How do we most effectively plan and prioritize projects? Where are we currently investing? How do we measure the effectiveness of those investments? The Monitoring and Reporting Work Group unveiled the Interagency Treatment Tracker, and Google.org provided an update on the decision support tool, Planscape. Subjects covered include:
– Where is management most beneficial?
– How do we more effectively plan & prioritize projects? Planscape
– Where are we investing? Interagency Treatment Tracker
– How do we measure the effectiveness of our investments?
- Wood Utilization Work Group: The Work Group provided an overview of preliminary proposed actions in future joint strategy for wood utilization. Panelists discussed the importance of private sector investments in a vibrant wood products market that advances the state’s sustainable forest management strategy. Subjects covered include:
– Overview of Proposed Action
– Panel Discussion with Industry Representatives
Welcome & Opening Remarks
• Wade Crowfoot, CNRA
• Jennifer Eberlien, USFS
• Task Force Executive Committee
Director’s Report
Director’s Report
• Patrick Wright
Looking Back
Looking Back
Moderator: John Battles, UC Berkeley
• Patrick Wright, Task Force
• Leana Weissberg, UC Berkeley, Center for Law, Energy & the Environment
• Scott Stephens, UC Berkeley
• Yana Valachovic, UC Cooperative Extension
Moving Forward
Moving Forward
Moderator: John Battles, UC Berkeley
• Pat Manley, USFS Pacific SW Research Station
• David Saah, Spatial Informatics Group
• Mickey Kataria, Google.org
• Alan Talhelm, CARB
• Loretta Moreno, CNRA
• Stephanie Coppeto, USFS.
Wood Utilization Work Group Report
Wood Utilization Work Group Report
Moderator: Steve Frisch, Sierra Business Council
• Elizabeth Betancourt, Dept. of Conservation
• Helena Murray, USFS
• Matt Dias, California Forestry Association
• Julia Levin, Bioenergy Association of California
• Dan Porter, The Nature Conservancy
• Matt Sjoholm, Blue Forest Conservation.
Final Remarks
• Task Force Co-Chairs
Recap of The Southern California Regional Meeting
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL MEETING RECAP
February 2, 2023
Nearly 350 people gathered at the King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas on February 2 for updates and in-depth panel discussions focused on the unique challenges in balancing the protection of the region’s forests and shrublands with community protection from the increased threat of wildfires. Sponsored and hosted by Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and Mountains and Recreation Conservation Authority, the meeting brought together a wide range of experts and Task Force agency partners.
If you couldn’t make it in person, or missed the real-time webinar, video recordings are available below.
REGIONAL MEETING AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
- Balancing Priorities in A Complex Landscape: A panel of experts discussed Southern California’s unique landscapes, ecosystems and fire dynamics. The Task Force Interagency Science Team then introduced the Southern California Regional Resource Kit to support efficient and effective planning and prioritization.
- Key Issues & Priorities: A panel of regional leaders highlighted the prime issues they deal with in managing fire and landscape resilience in Southern California. Topics included minimizing ignition reduction, fuelbreaks and forest conservation, workforce development, and structure and infrastructure resilience.
- Regional Investment Strategy & Next Steps: A highlight of the February 2 meeting was the announcement of a multi-agency, $70 million investment in Southern California to support regional landscape and community protection programs. Regional partners responded to this funding commitment with a pledge to formalize their strategic coordination with the outcome being a process to develop and implement a Southern California-wide pipeline of shovel ready projects.
Tribal Blessing & Opening Remarks
• Rudy Ortega, Santa Monica Mts. Conservancy
• Alan Salazar, Tribal Elder
Opening Remarks
• Wade Crowfoot, CNRA
• Jennifer Eberlien, USFS
• Task Force Executive Committee
Director’s Report
Director’s Report
• Patrick Wright
Balancing Priorities In A Complex Landscape
Balancing Priorities In A Complex Landscape
• Moderator: Steven Ostoja, USDA California Climate Hub
• Nicole Molinari, USFS
• Daniel Berlant, CAL FIRE
• Jon Keeley, USGS
• John Battles, UC Berkeley
A panel of experts discussed Southern California’s unique landscapes, ecosystems and fire dynamics. The Task Force Interagency Science Team introduced new tools for practitioners.
Key Issues & Priorities
Key Issues & Priorities
• Moderator: Michael O’Connell, Irvine Ranch Conservancy
• Scott Tangenberg, USFS
• Susie Kirschner, Inland Empire RCD
• Stan Hill, RCD of Greater San Diego
• Rorie Skei, Santa Monica Mts. Conservancy
- Ignition Reduction
- Structure and Infrastructure Resilience
- Strategic Fuelbreaks and Forest Conservation
- Workforce Development
A panel of Southern California regional leaders highlighted key issues and discussed how they are aligning priorities and meeting shared goals.
Regional Investment Strategy & Next Steps
Regional Investment Strategy & Next Steps
• Moderator: Forest Schafer, Task Force
• Sherry Hazelhurst, USFS
• Matthew Reischman, CAL FIRE
• Keali’i Bright, Dept. of Conservation
• Ann Baldridge, RCD of Greater San Diego
Task Force partners will introduce the Regional Investment Strategy and provide funding updates.
Final Remarks
• Task Force Co-Chairs
CAL FIRE Announces New Grants Available For Multiple Initiatives
CAL FIRE Announces New Grants Available For Multiple Initiatives
Funding is now available for a wide range of critical needs, from forest health and post-fire reforestation to workforce development and green school yards.
WILDFIRE PREVENTION GRANTS PROGRAM: Up to $120 million for projects focused on protecting people, structures, and communities.
FOREST HEALTH GRANT PROGRAM: Up to $120 million for landscape scale forest restoration and resilience projects.
POST FIRE REFORESTATION AND REGENERATION: Up to $50 million for reforestation treatments.
BUSINESS AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: Up to $7.5 million for wood products and up to $5 million for biomass transportation subsidy projects.
GREEN SCHOOL YARDS: Up to $117 million to improve tree canopy cover on California K-12 public school campuses and nonprofit childcare facilities.
TRIBAL WILDFIRE RESILIENCE PROGRAM: Up to $15 million is available for wildfire resilience implementation projects. These grant funds will assist California Native American tribes in managing ancestral lands, implementing and promoting Traditional Ecological Knowledge in wildfire resilience, and establishing wildfire safety for tribal communities.
RESOURCES
CAL FIRE Funding $14M In Workforce and Business Development Projects
CAL FIRE Funding $14M In Workforce and Business Development Projects
Focused on increasing California’s capacity to establish healthy, resilient forests through workforce and business development, the Wood Products and Bioenergy Team at CAL FIRE awarded $14 million in new grant agreements. The 10 new awards will go to non-profits, family businesses, wood products manufacturing facilities and local governments that are building the infrastructure and capacity to sustainably manage California’s forests as outlined in California’s Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan.
In addition to grants to non-profits, family businesses, and county and local governments, a $3 million grant will allow Sierra Pacific Industries to begin immediate construction on a new nursery that will be capable of producing 25 million seedlings per year.
State Can Fight Fire With Prescribed Fire By Funding Jobs In The Field
State Can Fight Fire With Prescribed Fire By Funding Jobs In The Field
“It is now accepted that prescribed fire is needed to conserve and restore biodiversity, prevent catastrophic fires, stabilize carbon and promote public health and safety. To address the pace and scale of prescribed fire that is needed, we must invest in careers in prescribed fire.” Read this guest commentary in CalMatters.org from Tom Gardali, CEO, Audubon Canyon Ranch.
RESOURCES
Forest Sector Workforce In The News
Forest Sector Workforce In The News
Local Community Colleges are offering opportunities to grow and strengthen California’s Forest Sector Workforce.
Shasta College — received 3.3M for expansion of Forest Health Programs
Feather River College — is now offering employees an annual $1,000 incentive to any employee that holds a Wildland Firefighter Certification
The Tahoe Fund — is awarding a scholarship to every student in Lake Tahoe Community College’s new Forestry Program
RESOURCES
August 9th, 2022: Shasta College
August 9th, 2022: The Tahoe Fund
Grant Guidelines Released for the 2022 Regional Forest & Fire Capacity Program
Grant Guidelines released for the 2022 Regional Forest & Fire Capacity Program
RFFC grants support regional leadership to build local capacity and fund projects that create fire-adapted communities and landscapes by providing ecosystem health, community wildfire preparedness, and fire resilience. The grants funded with these Guidelines utilize the $110 million of General Fund monies appropriated to the DOC for the RFFC Program.
CA Celebrates Launch of Tribal Conservation Corps Program
CA Celebrates Launch of Tribal Conservation Corps Program
Governor Newsom’s proposed 2022-’23 state budget includes $7.2 million in funding for the California Conservation Corps to establish more tribal conservation corps like the one being launched today.
RESOURCES
CAL FIRE Invests in Workforce and Business Development
CAL FIRE Invests in Workforce and Business Development
May 27, 2022 – Sacramento – The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has awarded $33 million to business development and workforce development projects that support healthy, resilient forests and the people and ecosystems that depend on them.
RESOURCES