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Wildfire
WCA produced a conference on Wildfire at WICA (8/24/24). Here are the presentation slides and resource list.
TOPICS and SLIDES
Download program brochure with RESOURCE LIST here.
TRADITIONAL SNOHOMISH WELCOME
Pamela čəlalakəm SeaMonster
Snohomish Cultural Educator, Indigenous Storyteller, Weaver, Plant Medicine Specialist, Environmental and Human Rights Activist. Pamela is also a laurel winning director of the documentary YEHOW.
OPENING REMARKS
Anne Tearse​
Whidbey Climate ACTION member
WILDFIRE IS COMING - IS WHIDBEY ISLAND READY?
Guy Gifford
Guy has served in numerous Forestry/Wildfire positions and is now Statewide Community Resilience Manager for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Guy oversees statewide Firewise USA, Community Wildfire Protection Plans, Wildfire Ready Neighbors and Community Wildfire Defense Grants.
STATUS OF FOREST HEALTH
Anacortes Community Forest Lands Monitoring Program
Eric Shen
Since retiring as a mechanical engineer, Eric has been a member of Transition Fidalgo, a nonprofit dedicated to improving community resilience and sustainability on Fidalgo Island and neighbors nearby. He is the program lead for the Anacortes Community Forest Lands (ACFL) program, which is one of several projects Transition Fidalgo has developed to showcase the wonders within the community and share skills.
LESSONS FROM LAHAINA
Proactive Climate-Resilient Strategies and How to Work Together for Best Outcomes
Jenny Pell
Jenny Pell is a career permaculture designer, experienced consultant in the Pacific NW and the tropics. Specialist in Climate Resilient Agroforestry, Watershed Restoration, and Neighborhood Food Solutions. www.permaculturenow.org
RESOURCES & REFERENCES
How to Learn More, Connect, and Take Action
Jeanie McElwain
Jeanie began her emergency preparedness journey in 5th grade when she went to bomb shelter trainings, has experienced numerous earthquakes, been a tornado siren checker, and a fl ood recovery facilitator and participates in CERT and Map Your Neighborhood. She holds a Ph.D. in transpersonal psychology and a MSLS in Library Outreach to underserved populations.
Lunch Break
Bring your own lunch
Soups and bread, donated by United Methodist Church, Island Church, St. Hubert Church​
ISLAND COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Preparedness and Response to Wildfires in Island County
Eric Brooks
Deputy Director of Island County Department of Emergency Management since 2011. He has a Master’s in Disaster Infrastructure Planning & Management from UW. Eric is responsible for all aspects of emergency planning in all of Island County as well as the county’s Disaster Response Center during active emergencies. Eric served in the US Navy from 1990 to 2011.
FIGHTING FIRES ON WHIDBEY
Nick Walsh
South Whidbey Fire Chief since April 2022. Nick was born on Whidbey, grew up in Skagit County, and served in the Anacortes Fire Department starting in 2007. While there, he served as Division Chief for Training & Emergency Management Services, Safety Offi cer of the Skagit County Emergency Response Team and on the City of Anacortes Emergency Operations Team.
FIREWORKS - RECIPE FOR WILDFIRE DISASTER
Jackie Lasater
Jackie is a co-founder of Citizens for Safe and Humane Fireworks of Island County. She is a Whidbey Audubon Society Conservation and Science board member and Mountain Fire survivor.
COMMUNITY WILDFIRE RESILIENCE ON WHIDBEY ISLAND
FIREWISE: A program for making homes defensible​
Collin McAvinchey
Collin joined the Whidbey Island Conservation District in March 2024, following an 8-year tenure with the National Parks Service. He has 10 years experience in conservation and natural lands management, has served as a consulting forester to national parks in Washington, Oregon and California. He has a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from Fairhaven College at Western Washington University and an MA from Evergreen State College.
HOUSEHOLD AND NEIGHBORHOOD PROGRAMS AND SUPPORTS
Jeanie McElwain
See above.
INDIGENOUS TEACHINGS ON WILDFIRE THROUGH STORY
Pamela čəlalakəm SeaMonster
See above.
ALL SPEAKERS PANEL - QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Kiki La Porta and Rhonda Salerno
Moderators
Whidbey Climate ACTION members
WHAT’S NEXT?
Jeanie McElwain
See above.
CLOSING
Kiki La Porta
Whidbey Climate ACTION member