The OSU Extension Service is a sometimes overlooked gem in our state forestry educational and conservation network.
This highly knowledgeable, scientific program partners with local communities to provide trusted expertise in critical areas, including community forestry management and wildfire prevention.
And now, a grant has been put in place to help the Service expand its benefits to underserved communities, specifically targeting wildfire resilience, and is definitely something worth celebrating on this Cinco De Mayo.
The extension is committed to creating positive change through programs and providing spaces where each person feels safe and welcome.
Its research, programs, partnerships and volunteer opportunities are focused on key issues all of us can relate to and appreciate:
* Healthy communities and economies
* Resilient and productive forests and natural ecosystems
* Sustainable agriculture, food systems, and gardening
* Thriving youth, individuals and families
Oregon State University Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Program (FNR) has a mission to teach Oregonians how to be prepared for increasing wildfires, which in recent years have been larger and occurring more frequently in the state.
The Extension Fire Program works to enhance resilience to wildfire, and seeks to reach out to all people, whether or not they own forests. Here’s where the excellent outreach comes into play.
In 2022, an anonymous donation, combined with existing program funding, enabled a targeted focus on non-English speaking communities through outreach, educational programming and publications.
The donor, whose friend lost a house to wildfire, had seen and was inspired by the Fire Program’s “Fire Aware, Fire Prepare” educational series and thought educational efforts should be expanded to new audiences: a generous and futuristic outlook. Thus, a program in place gave birth to further services…a positive feedback loop indeed!
Extension staff took on a number of activities, including providing information and interactions in both Spanish and English to promote wildfire preparedness and resilience at the Latino Fest in Madras, the Almeda Fire Commemoration in Phoenix and the Resource Fair in Williams.
Also, staff interviewed survivors of wildfires in Spanish to document each community’s specific needs. The program developed and translated informational cards in Spanish about basic wildfire preparedness for the home, simple actions to reduce wildfire impact before it strikes, how to be smoke ready and tools to support mental health before, during and after a wildfire.
As a result of this work, OSU Extension became aware of community interest in having FNR take an active role in outreach and education as a partner with existing groups like Conexon Fenix, the Jackson County Long Term Recovery Group and members of the Latinx Interagency Committee.
The Extension Group works to spread awareness that wildfire resilience is a goal that all members of the community can have a role in.
The Fire Program’s efforts have made it clear that expanding outreach to Latino communities and beyond is essential to effectively develop statewide wildfire resilience.
This extension to the extension program is welcome indeed, and adds a crucial means of support to underserved populations, many of whom have language challenges and are more likely to be in hazardous fire zones.
At CRT we believe that the more inclusive we are, the stronger we are, and this is an excellent example.
