February 11, 2014

Newsletter #29

New CFLRA Collaborative, FAC Learning Network Hubs, Treatments for Sage-Grouse Habitat and More!

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WESTERN REGION

Resilient Landscapes
Fire Adapted Communities
Safe and Effective Wildfire Response

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In this issue:

Plumas National Forest. Source: ADV Rider

Plumas Fire Safe Council & National Forest Aim for New Collaborative

In partnership with the Plumas National Forest, the Plumas County Fire Safe Council is developing a collaborative group to increase public engagement in national forest restoration under the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Act.

“We are looking for people to help shape this effort and to establish a solid, locally influenced foundation for the long-term management decisions that will take place on both public and on participating private lands here in Plumas County,” say organizers. Read more here.

Promoting the establishment of more collaboratives, including those under the CFLRA, is a priority for implementation of the Cohesive Strategy in the Western Region.

Empowering Communities to
Become More Fire Adapted

The Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network released this field guide introducing each of their hub networks. The FAC LN supports hub organizations and pilot communities that have committed to implementing, assessing and sharing the work that they are doing to increase their communities' resilience to wildfire. Read more here.

Telemetry shows sage-grouse movement into Pinyon Juniper treatment areas. Source: Utah BLM.

Utah BLM Fuels Treatments
Work to Save Sage-Grouse Habitat

The Utah BLM places high priority on conserving, maintaining and restoring sagebrush landscapes on public lands as a primary means of preventing the sage-grouse listing under the Endangered Species Act. Their fuels management program provides one of BLM’s best lines of defense through habitat conservation and maintenance treatments aimed at reducing fire behavior characteristics in and adjacent to sage-grouse habitat. Read about Utah BLM's investment and results here.

Thinning project and biomass utilization around High Desert Museum in Bend, Oregon.
Source: Project Wildfire.

Community Assistance Grants
Align with Cohesive Strategy

Recognizing that wildland fire management no longer involves just the wildland urban interface, the Department of Interior is focusing on maintaining and developing partnerships among stakeholders in Community Assistance activities as an important component of implementing the Cohesive Strategy. Community Assistance grants will emphasize collaboration among tribes, state and local governments, and communities in wildland fire management. Read more here.

Source: ABC Channel 7 in Denver

Recovery & Restoration in Colorado

Black Forest Together organized following the devastating Black Forest Fire in Colorado two years ago. The community collaborative held their 5th Forest Recovery Symposium last weekend to learn more about working with Colorado's Department of Natural Resources to restore burned forest areas and reduce wildfire risk in neighborhoods. Read more about their demonstrations of collaborative success here.

Upcoming Learning Opportunities

March 10-12, 2015 - Preparing for Wildfires. Tucson, AZ. A workshop for Cooperative Extension Educators and Community Leaders.

March 24-26, 2015 - IAFC's Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Conference in Reno, NV. Hands-on training and interactive sessions. Pre-conference training also available March 20-24.

April 20-24, 2015 - 13th International Wildland Fire Safety Summit and 4th Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire Conference in Boise, ID.

Articles and information from around the West that demonstrate collaborative efforts and meaningful progress towards Resilient Landscapes, Fire Adapted Communities and Safe & Effective Wildfire Response.

Contact: Kate Lighthall, WRSC Coordinator: klighthall@bendcable.com

Copyright © 2015 Western Regional Strategy Committee. All rights reserved.

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