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In 2019, the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity program awarded block grants to six regional grantees and two statewide grantees. The Watershed Research and Training Center is coordinating forestry and fire protection efforts across California by providing technical support across the state. By working with both recipients of regional block grants and entities in priority regions outside areas covered by those regional block grants, the Watershed Center strengthens forestry and fire protection work at the local, regional, and state levels.
As part of their work, the Watershed Center provides valuable networking opportunities for regional block grantees around the state to share resources, contacts, and information to develop new partnerships. Their monthly webinars allow block grantees to learn from guest speakers and discuss topics including local capacity building, developing Regional Priority Plans, designing forest management demonstration projects, and developing outreach materials.
Additionally, the Watershed Center conducted a statewide needs assessment in 2019 to identify current capabilities and needs among local forest health and fire practitioners. The Watershed Center will publish an analysis of the survey’s results in 2020 and will generate an internal report for block grantees specific to their region.