About this Conservation Program

Historically, conservation districts have been an important local provider of forest health and community wildfire resiliency information to landowners/homeowners, forest stewardship planning and fire risk assessment services, and incentives to implement recommended practices that improve forest stand conditions and reduce forest fuels.

Community Resiliency

Community wildfire resiliency support activities and actions such as the Firewise USA© program, Fire Adapted Communities resources, Wildfire Ready Neighbors, and Ready Set Go, are important for landowners and communities to be aware of to increase the wildfire resiliency of their private property and communities.

Background

Climate change and drought-associated increases in the frequency and severity of wildfires in Washington state, historical forest management practices, and increasing populations in rural and suburban areas make it vitally important that private landowners steward forest land for improved health and resilience and be prepared for wildfire.

Improving forest health for climate and wildfire resiliency is critical at the same time as rural populations are growing and forest parcels are becoming smaller and more numerous.

Resources

Firewise USA:

WA Fire Adapted Communities (WAFAC):

WA Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW):

Boise State University:

Additional resources:

Files & Publications

Want more information? Check out the following files that are related to the Forest Health and Community Wildfire Resiliency Program.

File Name
Summary

Th e Washington State Conservation Commission — in consultation with the DNR — administered funds for conservation districts to implement local Firewise activities. Individual landowners and entire communities were engaged in activities that help prepare and manage property in a way that reduces risk of wildfire damage.

Using funding received during the 2016 Legislative Session, the Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) launched a grant program for conservation districts to implement local Firewise program activities.

The Fire Recovery Program was created by the state Legislature and administered by the Washington State Conservation Commission (SCC) to help landowners and cooperators recover losses to natural resources and agriculture that occurred during the 2014-16 wildfires.

You can find the programmatic guidelines here for the Forest Health and Community Wildfire Resiliency program.

Funding

Applications are open!

The first round of applications will be reviewed on August 22, 2023 and approximately each month thereafter while funds are available.

Success Stories from this Grant Program

Come back soon for new stories!