Problem Statement
In the last decade, it has become increasingly clear that California simultaneously suffers from too much fire and not enough. Fire management policies have created vulnerable landscapes, far departed from the fire regimes through which they evolved. Losses are multifaceted: fires are either too frequent (e.g., southern California chaparral), too infrequent (e.g., meadows, oak woodlands, coastal prairies, etc.), and/or far too severe (e.g., Sierra Nevada mixed conifer). For example, research from Steel et al. (2022) showed that 30% of mature forest in the southern Sierra Nevada transitioned to non-forest vegetation types in a nine-year periodtestament to the remarkable changes unfolding in the state, and the need for swift yet thoughtful management to conserve the diverse ecological, cultural, and social values that define California. It is important to note that these problems are not due to a lack of research; rather, the issue is the persistent disconnect between the understanding of the problems (via traditional ecological knowledge, local knowledge, and Western science) and the policy and management decisions that dictate what happens on the ground. The California Fire Science Consortium (CFSC) serves a pivotal role in this context, helping facilitate the flow of information and insight: from the managers and communities to the scientists, so the research questions are relevant; from the scientists to the public and to policymakers, so policies are better informed; and from the policymakers back to the managers, so they have the support to manage effectively. The California Fire Science Consortium, with its rich team of organizational and agency partners, renowned scientists, and experts in education, outreach, and policy, is well-positioned to build the needed connections, bridge gaps in knowledge and information, and move California toward fire resiliency.
Objectives
Our proposed efforts center around three major focal areas where science outreach and facilitation can positively influence future decisions and solutions to the pressing fire-related issues in the California Fire Science Consortium region:
1. Diversify dissemination tactics to maximize exposure, understanding, and integration of fire science concepts across a wide range of landscapes and managers.
2. Foster collaboration and strengthen networks across research, management, policy, and public spheres to ensure maximal relevancy, utility, and positive outcomes of fire science information.
3. Elevate fire science literacy across public, policy, and media spheres, increasing the social license, will, and demand for needed change.
Benefits
The proposed project builds off the years of experience and relationships the CFSC has established, based on both the statewide resources and the sub-regional structure of experts that have proven effective over the last decade. The proposed set of objectives and actions will continue to improve on methods that have been effective in the past (such as research briefs, field tours, and webinars) and will expand to new solutions and partnerships as needs and opportunities evolve.
