The Mt. Adams Resource Stewards in Washington State is an excellent example of a hyper-local solution to community fire resilience. Started in 2004 by this week’s guest, Jay McLaughlin, the organization now boasts a community forest, a 10-person stewardship crew, community development programs and fire adaptation resources for nearby communities.
Jay has a deep pool of experience in engaging rural (often former logging) communities in fire resilience and more progressive land management; in today’s episode, we speak about the challenges of an organization like this, but also the myriad ways this work has been immensely rewarding for Jay and others in the community. He also offers some suggestions and bits of advice for others who hope to develop similar organizations in their own communities.

More information on the Mt. Adams Resource Stewards: https://mtadamsstewards.org/

Deer Humans Podcast Link: https://player.fm/series/deer-humans

Life with Fire website: www.lifewithfirepodcast.com

Life with Fire Patreon: www.patreon.com/lifewithfirepod

Time stamps:

5:48 — Mt. Adams Resource Stewards background/creation; fuels program development

8:56 — Working forest creation and introduction of stewardship crew

15:00 — Is this type of organization scalable across other Western communities?

17:35 — Earning buy-in from resource-dependent communities; outreach insights in rural communities, hearing out detractors

20:14 — Original inspiration for starting the organization

22:09 — Funding sources.

24:20 — Building connections in resource-dependent areas

25:41 — Suggestions for other organizers interested in creating a community forest