The After the Fire USA Wildfire Leadership Summit Recap

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The After the Fire USA 2022 Wildfire Leadership Summit was our most ambitious convening ever. We did a smaller version with Camp + Woolsey + North Bay Complex Fires in March of 2019 that was impactful for all. We scheduled another for May 2020…but then COVID-19 got in the way.

In 2022, we were finally able to do it.

This year, we invited 126 orgs and 168 people to convene for three days and we began where we always must begin: with the fire affected communities. May we know each other, listen together, share best practices, and spread hope.

We were honored to have virtually every wildfire community since 2015 (Valley Fire, Lake County) across California, Colorado and Oregon represented.

Save the Date for Next Year's Summit!

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Mark your calendars! We've slated the 2023 Wildfire Leadership Summit for September 26, 27 & 28, 2023 in Sonoma, CA at Hanna Center.

2022 Keynote Speakers
2022 Summit Program Schedule
2022 Summit Video Collection

From the Workshops with Wildfire Community Leaders

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Download a PDF of these Current Challenges  slides

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Download a PDF of these Action Steps slides

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The Milestones in the Long Term Recovery from Wildfire

By Pamela Van Halsema | October 31, 2022

Anyone who has experienced wildfire understands the road to recovery after is long and complex both for individual survivors, but for the community as a whole as well. Our Wildfire…

2022 Summit Photo Gallery

keynote speaker Jessica Morse on stage with large screen behind her
Keynotes
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keynote speaker Jessica Morse on stage with large screen behind her Nichols reads from Dear Wild Child Wallace 'J' Nichols inspired Summit attendees with the concept of Blue Mind, and used a blue marble as a metaphor Jennifer Gray Thompson delivered the closing keynote We were honored to have CA State Senator Bill Dodd join us to share efforts related to wildfire mitigation and recovery that is happening in the state legislature Alister Watt's keynote presented the new Wildfire Prepared Home certification program from IBHS Maria Evans presented a keynote on equity in the community both before and after disaster Dr. Adrienne Heinz delivered a keynote focusing on new approaches to supporting mental health in the community post disaster Margo Robbins of Cultural Fire delivered a keynote about Indigenous Land Care Practices
Dr. Adrienne Heinz moderated a panel Helping the Helpers: Staying Well through the Long Recovery
Panels
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Dr. Adrienne Heinz moderated a panel Helping the Helpers: Staying Well through the Long Recovery This panel focused on serving frontline communities after disaster and over the long term recovery. Gabriela Orantes outlined what is required for a Just Recovery, as detailed in the Latino Community Foundations recent report by that name Marko Bey, Exec. Director of Lomskatsi moderated a panel on Centering Indigenous People and their Practices in the Long Recovery On Day 2 we focused on the theme Rebuild, and featured a panel on the complexities of Disaster Block Grant Funding with panelists from Oregon, Texas and California Tennis Wick, Permit Sonoma Director, facilitated a discussion with local public electeds and staff about local leadership in the rebuild Tim Carpenter moderated a panel on home insurability in this era of megafire Tatiana Hernandez, CEO of the Community Foundation of Boulder, CO speaks on the panel about philanthropy after disaster Following the panel on philanthropy, Jennifer Gray Thompson takes a moment to pay special thanks to the sponsors of the Wildfire Leadership Summit: Fannie Mae, Alaska Airlines, Hanna Center, IBHS, and Obsidian Wine Company Fannie Mae's Tim Carpenter moderated a panel on the topic of home insurability post disaster Stephen McMahon moderated a panel on maximizing volunteer programs in the recovery Jim White, Exec. Director of the Nonprofit Association of Oregon moderated a panel on philanthropy for wildfire recovery A panel featured breakthrough technologies for rebuilding homes Marianna Thomas of the American Red Cross facilitated a panel called 'Gimme Shelter: from Emergency to Permanent Housing A panel led by Lisa Micheli, CEO and President of Pepperwood Preserve, discusses land management practices before and after fire After the Fire's Molly Curley O'Brien on the Before the Fire panel Jennifer Gray Thompson, CEO, After the Fire USA Jennifer Gray Thompson moderated a panel highlighting new service delivery methods
Our After the Fire USA Team...everyone except missing Kyle!
Community
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Our After the Fire USA Team...everyone except missing Kyle! Day 1 began with a workshop for Wildfire Community Leaders who mapped out the milestones for recovery over a 5+ year time span Participants had opportunties for discussion and collaboration in a workshop format Participants during workshop The Workshop on Day 1 examined milestones and challenges along five years of wildfire recovery The Footprint Project aims to bring energy from solar power to emergency response, and teach people how it works The Footprint Project was on site building three portable solar generators that local volunteer fire departments learned how to build, maintain and use in times of emergency After the Fire USA staff member Melissa Stone and Rosa Brandt welcomed all Summit attendeess Networking in the Lobby Jennifer Gray Thompson poses with two local leaders Alma Bowen, CEO of Nuestra Comunidad and North Bay Business Journal's publisher Lorez Bailey Following the film screening of Elemental, a panel fielded questions from the audience Elemental's director Ralph Bloemers fielding questions after the screening of his new documentary film Elemental Hanna Center's auditorium We were happy to have first responders at the table throughout the conference Summit Participants Day 3 started with an exercise where attendees identified key take aways and action items that came out of the first two days of the Summit Marianna Thomas fields questions from the audience Summit Participants Michael Morter, Molly Curley O'Brien and Pamela Van Halsema Lunch was a time to enjoy the outdoors and talk with others Lunch was a time to enjoy the outdoors and talk with others Lunch provided an opportunity to connect 1:1 Lunch was a time to enjoy the outdoors and talk with others Lunch was a time to enjoy the outdoors and talk with others Lunch was a time to enjoy the outdoors and talk with others Lunch was a time to enjoy the outdoors and talk with others Lunch was a time to enjoy the outdoors and talk with others Lunch was a time to engage in conversation Lunch was a time to enjoy the outdoors and talk with others Lunch was a time to enjoy the outdoors and talk with others Lunch was a time to enjoy the outdoors and talk with others Lunch was a time to enjoy the outdoors and talk with others Lunch was a time to enjoy the outdoors and talk with others Lunch was a time to enjoy the outdoors and talk with others Lunch was a time to enjoy the outdoors and talk with others
At Sebastiani Theater for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello
Elemental Reception
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At Sebastiani Theater for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello front of the Sebastiani Theater Elemental movie poster with photo of burning house At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello outdoor image of theater at night with glowing colorful sign At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello man smiling as he listens to two women at a reception At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello woman with shoulder length hari smiling At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello wine glasses clinking at a reception group of people getting a glass of wine at a reception At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello group of people getting a glass of wine at a reception group of people getting a glass of wine at a reception At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello Woman talking at a reception At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello group of people getting a glass of wine at a reception group of people getting a glass of wine at a reception At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello At Sebastiani Theater during the Reception for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello three people talking at a reception three people talking at a reception group of people getting a glass of wine at a reception two happy people at a reception inside the dark movie theater with After the Fire Logo on the screen woman stands by microphone and gestures with both hands as she talks Woman speaking in a microphone in front of a darkened movie theater man with bald head facing the movie theater audience introducing a film at a microphone Man speaking into a microphone in a theater Ralph Bloemers by CGenesis Botello_After the Fire_Sebastiani Theater_9 man with button down shirt and bald head standing in front a large movie screen talking in a microphone At Sebastiani Theater for the private screening of Elemental, sponsored by Obsidian Wine Company Photo by CGenesis Botello

Join the Wildfire Resilience Network Group on LinkedIn

WILDFIRE RESILIENCE NETWORK WORDS ON A MAP OF THE USA IN SUNSET COLORS

In this era of megafires, we need strong leaders who are ready to collaborate, innovate and share knowledge for recovery and rebuilding. Together, as a Wildfire Resilience Network, we can meet this challenge and reimagine a more resilient way of life across the American West.

To inquire about the Wildfire Resilience Network or the Leadership Summit, please contact us. 

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Thank you to the major sponsor of the Leadership Summit, Fannie Mae and their Disaster Response Network 

Thanks to our Summit host Hanna Center and to
 The Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) for their generous contribution,
for the travel support provided by Alaska Airlines and thanks to evening film event sponsor Obsidian Wine Company.