- (Public Value) UCANR: Building climate-resilient communities and ecosystems
- Author: Ricardo A. Vela
Pink dolphins stopped hiding on the coasts of Hong Kong and Macau. In Mumbai, the city was invaded by flamingos in numbers never seen before. Similar stories of wild animals strolling quietly through cities around the world made headlines as the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic kept humans locked up at home. People became more aware of the impact humans have on nature.
Fifty-two years ago, April was selected to raise awareness about the importance of preserving the ecological balance of our planet.
What began as a novel demonstration through the streets of Philadelphia and other major cities of the world has become an annual event to open people's eyes to see the damage that our actions are causing to our environment.
Moving to the present, April 22 is an urgent call to act and to counteract the effects of climate change.
"Global warming is happening because as there are higher emissions, we are putting more layers, more blankets on the Earth, so that's why the climate is tending to increase,” says Samuel Sandoval Solís, a University of California Cooperative Extension water resources specialist in UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Sandoval Solis adds that wildfires occur more easily and spread quickly at higher temperatures.
Rising temperatures over time are changing weather patterns and upsetting nature's usual balance. This poses many risks to humans and all other life forms on Earth. Among the most devastating effects of global warming are more frequent droughts.
Sandoval comments, "Droughts, there have always been droughts; the relationship that exists is that because the system has started to accelerate, then we are going to have them more frequently and severe."
With help from UC ANR scientists' research, even during droughts the production of fruits and vegetables has continued successfully. At the UC Desert Research Center, experts study how drip irrigation may solve drought and climate change. "It was stimulating to see," said lead author Holly Andrews, a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow at the University of Arizona. "Crop yields at least remained and, in some cases, increased, but water use and gas emissions decreased especially under drip irrigation."
Another effect of drought is the drying of plant material, which can fuel a wildfire. For seven years now, California has seen an increase in catastrophic fires.
"Contrary to popular belief, climate change does not produce forest fires. It promotes a greater amount of combustible material that can easily begin to burn. In 99% of cases, fires are caused by people," says Sandoval Solís.
UC ANR experts continuously analyze measures to prevent the spread of fires while creating wildfire-resilient communities. Before Europeans settled, Native Americans used "good fire" to manage forests. Rob York, a UC Cooperative Extension forest specialist who is based at Blodgett Forest Research Station, says that winter is the best season to use controlled fire.
Sabrina Drill, UC Cooperative Extension natural resources advisor, is part of a group of UC ANR researchers who have tested fire-resistant building materials and developed recommendations to create defensible space to reduce the chance of homes succumbing to flames in a wildfire and give residents enough time to escape.
"Wildfire preparedness requires YOU to take responsibility for your safety, property and pets in the event of a fire. Keep your property maintained to reduce the risk of damage during a wildfire and be fully prepared to evacuate," stated Drill.
Indian lawyer, political leader, and philosopher Mahatma Gandhi once said, "The land is not an inheritance from our parents, but a loan from our children."
Perhaps the best way to learn land management is by observing the customs of the native peoples of America. For indigenous peoples, Mother Earth is not an inert object, it is a source of life and is sacred, so one must live in harmony with her and find a balance so that it serves current and future generations.
UC ANR's California Naturalist Program offers activities through its multiple community partners that lead us to discover the importance of being one with nature regardless of whether one lives in an urban area. This group offers tools to take a more active role in conservation, education, and restoration of natural resources.
UC ANR offers vast and diverse ways to improve one's habits toward nature. Among these are the Master Gardener and California 4-H programs. They collaborate with less privileged families in urban areas and through community gardens, orchards, or plant care to show them how to coexist with nature.
At UC ANR, we are with you, and we can be partners in reducing the harmful effects of climate change. Join our experts to see the positive results of planting trees, composting waste, growing a home garden or school garden, and creating communities resilient to drought and wildfire. The planet belongs to everyone, now is the time to renew our commitment to save the planet. Global warming is everyone's responsibility. Let's do our part for its conservation.
- Author: Ryan E Tompkins & Tracy Schohr. Adaptado al español por UC ANR News & Information Outreach in Spanish (NOS)
Conocemos el mes de mayo por el Día de la Madres (¡espero que no lo hayan olvidado!), sin embargo, después de la extensa temporada de incendios del año pasado, muchos californianos han llegado a identificar mayo como el mes de la preparación contra los incendios forestales. El moderado invierno en el norte de California subraya la necesidad de estar preparados, ya que nos estamos adentrando en nuestra sequía estacional típica de los veranos de clima mediterráneo. Al igual que muchos en las montañas del oeste se preparan para las tormentas de invierno guardando leña, limpiando las canaletas de la lluvia y guardando los muebles del patio, nosotros también debemos prepararnos para los incendios forestales de verano: limpiando las hojas secas y los escombros de nuestras casas, limpiando la leña de la terraza y, sí, ¡limpiando de nuevo esas canaletas!
Gran parte de la preparación contra los incendios forestales se centra en la responsabilidad personal de los residentes. El pilar de preparación contra los incendios forestales es la responsabilidad personal de los propietarios, lo cual contribuye a una mayor preparación de la comunidad. Los propietarios pueden clasificar los pasos que tomarán en la preparación para incendios forestales en tres simples categorías:
- Mantener un espacio limpio alrededor de la casa
- Mejorar los materiales aislantes de la casa
- Planificar y preparar la evacuación del hogar
Avance de los resultados sobre la preparación para la vida silvestre
La mayoría indicaron que los incendios forestales habían afectado a su comunidad en la última década.
Casi la mitad de los residentes indicaron que el seguro de su vivienda se había visto afectado de alguna manera (por ejemplo, aumento de la tarifa del seguro y cancelación de la póliza) por el riesgo de los incendios forestales.
La mayoría de los residentes mantenían limpia su propiedad haciendo el trabajo ellos mismos o pagando con su propio dinero - muy poco fue financiado por fundaciones.
Muchas casas ubicadas en áreas rurales son antiguas, y fueron construidas mucho antes de que se establecieran las normas de construcción de la Wildland- Urban Interface (WIU, por sus siglas en inglés, interfaz urbano-forestal) de 2008. Estas casas necesitan ser adaptadas y hay un número creciente de residentes interesados en reforzar sus casas.
Hay una alta participación en los sistemas de notificación de emergencias de la comunidad (por ejemplo, Code Red, Everbridge), pero sólo una minoría de los residentes tiene un plan de emergencia o ha tomado medidas para prepararse para la evacuación. Las zonas rurales, tienen una gran población de animales domésticos y de ganado que requieren un plan de evacuación.
Aunque las áreas rurales del noreste de California se están preparando para los incendios forestales, el tiempo, el presupuesto, los conocimientos técnicos y la capacidad física son obstáculos para crear espacios limpios y reforzar las viviendas. Así que la pregunta es: ¿qué podemos hacer para aumentar y mejorar la eficacia de nuestra comunidad en términos de preparación contra los incendios forestales?
Estar involucrado y organizado
Una de las mejores formas para empezar, es comprometerse con su comunidad en la educación y la divulgación. Hay una serie de organizaciones que apoyan esta misión, algunas de las más comunes en California son los Consejos de Seguridad contra Incendios, los Sitios Firewise USA® y las Comunidades Adaptadas al Fuego. Los Consejos de Seguridad contra Incendios son organizaciones locales formadas por miembros de la comunidad, agencias/organizaciones de gestión de la tierra (por ejemplo, el Servicio Forestal), y profesionales de recursos naturales y de gestión de incendios (por ejemplo, el distrito de bomberos voluntarios) que están interesados en coordinar la reducción de combustibles a nivel comunitario, la educación y la divulgación. Puede encontrar más detalles sobre los consejos locales de seguridad contra incendios en el California Fire Safe Council.
Firewise USA® Sites es un programa nacional apoyado por la Asociación Nacional de Protección contra Incendios (NFPA, por sus siglas en inglés), diseñado para apoyar a los barrios y comunidades locales para que piensen y actúen estratégicamente en relación con la preparación contra los incendios forestales. El programa Firewise USA® Site de la NFPA guía a las comunidades a través de un proceso para desarrollar una evaluación del riesgo de incendios forestales en la comunidad, crear un plan de acción específico de actividades comunitarias para mejorar la concienciación y la preparación contra los incendios forestales, y documentar las acciones que los miembros de la comunidad están tomando para reducir el riesgo.
Las Comunidades Adaptadas al Fuego y la Red de Aprendizaje de Comunidades Adaptadas al Fuego proporcionan otro contexto sobre cómo todas estas organizaciones contribuyen a la preparación contra los incendios forestales y ofrecen un foro para conectar con comunidades de todo el país que se esfuerzan por alcanzar los mismos objetivos: comunidades que puedan coexistir y ser resistentes al fuego.
Responsabilizarse y ser estratégico
La incertidumbre de los incendios forestales puede ser muy grave y la tarea de prepararse para ello puede ser cansado, pero todos podemos asumir la responsabilidad y tomar medidas estratégicas, y la acumulación de nuestros esfuerzos, y los de nuestros vecinos, puede contribuir a la resistencia de la comunidad a los incendios forestales. Como dice el refrán, “Roma no se construyó en un día”. Para aquellos que hemos sido evacuados o (hemos vivido) algo peor, siempre hay acciones de preparación que desearíamos haber hecho antes. Mayo, el mes de preparación para incendios forestales nos da la oportunidad, antes de que la temporada de incendios se agrave, de revisar nuestro patio y casa para pensar en lo que nos gustaría hacer para prepararnos. El programa Ready, Set, Go de CALFIRE tiene excelentes materiales y listas de cosas en las que pensar.
Además, el mes de mayo trae consigo un buen clima para trabajar en el patio (espacio limpio) y trabajar en la casa (fortalecer el hogar). El sitio web de UCANR Fire in California tiene información útil para los propietarios de viviendas sobre el espacio limpio, la reducción de materiales combustibles, la jardinería a prueba de incendios y cómo preparar su casa para que sea resistente a los incendios forestales. Camine por su casa y su jardín y observe dónde se acumulan las hojas. Esos remolinos podrían ser la misma zona en la que podría caer una brasa: ¿Quemaría algo? Escoge un proyecto o dos que te parezcan asequibles y alcanzables y hazlos realidad. Muy pocos de nosotros tenemos el dinero o el tiempo para mejorar todo en un mes, pero hacer lo que podamos sigue moviendo la aguja de la preparación.
No esperes a pensar en la evacuación
Del mismo modo, nuestras evaluaciones de necesidades y encuestas de Extensión Cooperativa de UC ayudan a informar sobre lo que la gente está haciendo, dónde existen barreras y lugares fáciles para empezar. Los residentes que responden a las encuestas contribuyen a ello y estos datos ayudan a los socios mencionados a diseñar programas pertinentes para ayudar a los propietarios de viviendas. Por ejemplo, sabemos, gracias a nuestra evaluación de necesidades, que, aunque muchas personas están inscritas en un sistema de notificación de emergencias, sólo una minoría tiene un botiquín de primeros auxilios, planes de evacuación, documentos importantes o inventarios de lo que tienen en sus viviendas.
El mes de mayo es un buen momento para empezar a tener esas conversaciones con su familia, amigos y vecinos. Habla con tu familia y tus hijos sobre qué hacer si hay un incendio cuando sólo una parte de la familia está en casa: ¿Dónde se reunirían? ¿A quién llamarías? ¿Tienes algún vecino que pueda necesitar ayuda? ¿Y los perros, las gallinas y los caballos? Tómate una tarde de mayo y organiza tus documentos importantes o haz un inventario en vídeo de las pertenencias de tu casa para la documentación del seguro. Es mejor planificar ahora y prever una evacuación temprana en caso de incendio.
Los asesores de Extensión Cooperativa de la UC y los especialistas en educación comunitaria de todo California están comprometidos con la prevención de incendios y la preparación de las comunidades ante los desastres. Este blog ofrece una muestra de la investigación que realizamos entre la comunidad el año pasado. La UCCE también está trabajando en la promoción del pastoreo como herramienta para reducir los incendios catastróficos, la reintroducción de los incendios prescritos para reducir la carga de combustible que provocan los incendios, la investigación de los materiales de construcción y los diseños para la supervivencia de los hogares en las zonas propensas a los incendios forestales y mucho más. Únase a nosotros en la creación de una comunidad resistente a los incendios tomando medidas este mes de mayo para la preparación contra incendios en su hogar y creando un plan de evacuación con su familia.
Si tiene alguna duda, necesita ayuda o busca un asesor técnico, diríjase a la oficina local de Extensión Cooperativa de la Universidad de California.
- Author: Ryan E Tompkins & Tracy Schohr
- Contributor: Vikram Koundinya, Laura Snell & David Lile
Many of us know May for flowers and Mother's Day (hope you didn't forget!), but after last year's widespread and long-lasting fire season, many Californians have come to recognize May as Wildfire Preparedness Month. Our lackluster winter in Northern California underscores the necessity for wildfire preparedness as we embark on our seasonal drought typical of Mediterranean climate summers. Just as many in the mountainous West prepare for winter storms by squirreling away firewood, cleaning rain gutters, and taking down the patio furniture, we also must prepare for summer wildfires in analogous ways: clearing dead leaves and debris from our homes, removing the firewood from the deck, and yes, cleaning those gutters again!
Much of wildfire preparedness centers on residents taking personal responsibility to prepare, and it's the accretion of homeowners' personal responsibility that contributes to greater community preparedness. Homeowners can think of their personal wildfire preparedness actions in three simple categories:
- Creating and maintaining defensible space around your home,
- Improving your home's resistance to ignition (a.k.a. “home hardening”)
- Household evacuation planning and preparation.
Wildlife preparedness survey results preview
At the beginning of the 2020 fire season, we asked residents in five northeastern California counties about efforts they were taking to prepare for wildfires and what barriers they perceived in reaching their goals.
- Nearly all indicated that wildfire had impacted their community within the past decade.
- Almost half of the residents indicated their home insurance had been affected in some way (e.g. insurance rate increase, dropped policy) by wildfire risk.
- Most residents were creating and maintaining defensible space on their property by doing the work themselves or paying for it out of their own pocket – very little was grant funded.
- Many homes in rural communities are older, built long before 2008 WUI (wildland urban interface) building standards were put in place. These homes are in need of retrofitting and there is a growing number of residents interested in home hardening.
- There is high participation in community emergency notification systems (e.g. Code Red, Everbridge), but only a minority of residents have an evacuation plan or taken steps to prepare for evacuation. Rural communities, understandably, have a large populations of domestic pets and livestock that require evacuation planning!
While rural northeastern California communities are engaging in wildfire preparedness, time, cost, technical knowledge, and physical capacity were all barriers to creating defensible space and home hardening. So the question becomes, what can we do to increase and enhance our community effectiveness in terms of wildfire preparation?
Get involved and get organized
One of the best places to start is engaging with your community on education and outreach. There are a number of organizations that support this mission, some of the most prolific in California include Fire Safe Councils, Firewise USA® Sites, and Fire Adapted Communities. Fire Safe Councils are local and countywide organizations of interested community members, land management agencies/organizations (e.g. Forest Service), and natural resource and fire management professionals (e.g., volunteer fire district) who are interested in coordinating community-level fuel reduction treatment, education and outreach. You can find more details about local and countywide fire safe councils at the California Fire Safe Council.
Firewise USA® Sites is a nationwide program supported by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) designed to empower local neighborhoods and communities to think and act strategically regarding wildfire preparedness. The NFPA Firewise USA® Site program shepherds communities through a process to develop a community wildfire risk assessment, create a community specific action plan of activities to improve wildfire awareness and preparedness, and document the actions community members are taking to mitigate risk.
Fire Adapted Communities and the Fire Adapted community Learning Network provides another context for how all these organizations contribute to wildfire preparedness and offer a forum to connect with communities across the nation that are endeavoring to achieve the same goals: communities that can coexist and be resilient to fire.
Take responsibility and be strategic
The uncertainty in wildfire can be frightening and the task of preparing for wildfire can be overwhelming, but we can all take responsibility and take strategic action – and the accretion of our efforts, and our neighbors' efforts, can contribute to community resistance to wildfire. As the saying goes, Rome was not built in a day. For those of us who have been evacuated or worse, there are always preparedness actions we wished we could have taken sooner or those things that we find ourselves doing at the last minute. May wildfire preparedness month gives us an opportunity before fire season heats up to walk around our yard and home to think about what we'd like to do to prepare. CALFIRE's Ready, Set, Go program has great materials and lists of things to think about.
May also brings great weather to work out in the yard (defensible space) and work on the house (home hardening)! The UCANR Fire in California website has helpful science-based information for homeowners on defensible space, reducing fuels, fire-safe landscaping, and how to prepare your home to be resistant to wildfire. Walk around your home and yard and look at where all your leaves accumulate….those eddies might be the same area an ember might land: Would it burn anything? Pick a project or two that you think is affordable and attainable and make it happen. Very few of us have the money or time to improve everything in a month, but doing what we can still moves the needle on preparedness.
Don't wait to think about evacuation!
Similarly, our UC Cooperative Extension needs assessments and surveys help inform what people are doing, where barriers exist, and easy places to start. Residents responding to surveys help make this happen and these data help the aforementioned partners design relevant programs to help homeowners. For example, we know from our needs assessment that while many people are signed up with an emergency notification system, only a minority have evacuation go-bags, family evacuation/rendezvous plans, important documents, or home inventories in place.
May is a good time to start having those conversations with your family, friends and neighbors. Talk to your family and your kids about what to do if there's a fire when only a portion of the family is at home: Where would you meet? Who would you call? Do you have any neighbors that might need help? What about all those dogs, chickens and horses? Take an evening in May and organize your important documents or make a video inventory of the belongings in your home for insurance documentation. It is best to plan now and plan for an early evacuation during fires!
UC Cooperative Extension advisors and community education specialists across California are committed to fire resiliency and community disaster preparedness. This blog provides a snapshot of the community-based research we conducted last year. UCCE is also working on promoting grazing as a tool to reduce catastrophic fires, reintroducing prescribed fire to reduce fire fuel loads, researching building materials and designs for home survival in wildfire-fire prone areas and much more. Please join us in creating a fire-resilient community by taking actions this May for fire preparedness around your home and creating an evacuation plan with your family.
If you have questions, need help or are looking for technical advisor, please reach out to your local University of California Cooperative Extension office.
