The Southwest Fire Climate Adaptation Partnership (SW FireCAP) is working to advance fire and climate adaptation in the southwestern U.S. Focused on cross-organizational collaboration and leveraging resources, the partnership facilitates climate adaptation planning by “sharing Indigenous and Western knowledge perspectives, being inclusive, and building trust.” The Collaborative Conservation and Adaptation Strategies Toolbox (CCAST) is a similar effort, established to document effective conservation initiatives and develop decision-support tools. Both initiatives are focused on showcasing high quality science-to-policy research and innovative, on-the-ground conservation management practices and promoting peer-to-peer learning among researchers and practitioners. Both initiatives are committed to broader outreach and cross-jurisdictional efforts to engage scientists, land managers, tribal leaders, federal, state, and local governments, and the broader public.
In this project, the research team will develop products and facilitate stakeholder engagement to utilize the CCAST platform to support and amplify work being initiated through SW FireCAP. The team will develop relevant case studies documenting innovative and adaptive fire management strategies. These case studies will provide the foundation for improved peer-to-peer and researcher/manager communication on methods and adaptive tools for responding to climate change and fire. The team will develop a “Climate Change and Fire Adaptation Toolkit” which will include a synthesis StoryMap that integrates case studies, maps, and decision-support tools as a “one-stop shop” to help managers learn from past actions and prepare for future actions. Finally, the team will carry out webinars, workshops, and student mentorship to build a community of practice that fosters dialogue, exchange, and learning.
