Community Capacity and the Environment Publications
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The Community Capacity and Environment program is primarily focused on building capacity in rural and underserved communities to address wildfire protection. The program intends to increase awareness about the relationships between wildfire and rural poverty and provide resources for community-based efforts in fire and forest restoration. This program also examines broader relationships between natural resource management, natural disaster mitigation and social vulnerability.
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Browsing Community Capacity and the Environment Publications by Author "Lynn, Kathy"
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Item Open Access Beyond Planning: Stewardship Contracting as a Management Tool for Implementing CWPPs(University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2008-06) Donovan, Shannon; Lynn, Kathy; Kauffman, MarcusItem Open Access Community Resilience and the 2005 Deer Creek Fire – Summary Report(University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2006-04) Lynn, Kathy; Hill, ArleenThis report provides an overview of the purpose, findings, and recommendations from interviews conducted with residents affected by the 2005 Deer Creek Fire.Item Open Access Curry County Community Wildfire Protection Plan(University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2008-02) Ojerio, Ryan S., 1972-; University of Oregon. Institute for a Sustainable Environment. Resource Innovations; Lynn, KathyThe structural vulnerability study was the first collaborative effort of the newly formed Curry Wildfire Preparation Team (CWPT). The CWPT formed out of a recognition that wildfire is an integral and inevitable component of southwest Oregonâ s environment. Adequate preparation for wildfire events requires the coordinated efforts of local governments, public lands management agencies, community organizations, businesses and residents. In February 2007 the CWPT initiated a comprehensive planning process to develop a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). Over the course of the following year, the CWPT used the analysis from the countywide structural vulnerability assessment and a comprehensive wildfire risk assessment to understand the biophysical factors that contribute to wildfire risk. The CWPT engaged community stakeholders through targeted interviews and public forums to better understand community concerns, priorities and preferences in developing the plan. And the CWPT used information from an analysis of vulnerable populations in Curry County to develop strategies to overcome the barriers of poverty, disability and social isolation that exist in the county. This CWPP applies to all of Curry County, but with a particular focus on addressing the challenges of managing wildfire risk within and adjacent to the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), the areas where forests and human communities meet. Because wildfire knows no jurisdictional boundaries, this plan is intended for everyone with a role in preparing for wildfires, including residents, land managers, emergency responders and elected officials. It is our hope that this document is an accessible resource for all to use. This CWPP is intended to compliment and support other efforts and plans throughout the county. As a non-regulatory plan, the actions and strategies described herein are consistent with current regulations and existing planning guidelines described in the Curry County Comprehensive Plan, Curry Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan, and other relevant plans.Item Open Access Disasters and the cycle of poverty: understanding urban, rural, and gender aspects of social vulnerability(Resource Innovations, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, University of Oregon, 2005-09) Lynn, KathyThis paper examines the impacts natural disasters have on poor communities all over the world, and the ways in which poverty and social vulnerability exacerbate disaster risk. We cannot reduce the risks poor communities face from natural disasters without addressing poverty. To address poverty reduction and disaster mitigation objectives, this paper seeks to highlight the connection between the cycle of poverty and risk from natural disasters. The paper begins by illustrating the nature of disaster risk faced by poor communities in developing countries and in the United States. The paper then examines how various aspects of social vulnerability (urban poverty, rural poverty and gender) comprise disaster risk. A series of examples highlight impacts to vulnerable populations and the strategies undertaken by individuals, communities, non-governmental organizations, and governments to build capacity to reduce disaster risk through community organizing and economic development at a local level. Finally, the paper provides a series of recommendations to consider in implementing poverty reduction measures, including the role of capacity building in helping to alleviate poverty and reduce risk from natural disasters.Item Open Access Engaging Socially Vulnerable Populations in Community Wildfire Protection Plans(University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2008) Resource Innovations; Forest Guild; Watershed Research and Training Center; Ojerio, Ryan S., 1972-; Lynn, Kathy; Evans, Alexander M.; DeBonis, Mike; Gerlitz, WendyRecent catastrophic wildfires in the United States provided images of the destruction of multimillion-dollar homes, dense urban neighborhoods, and vast estates that overlook beautiful forests or the southern California ocean. These images depict real pain and suffering for those who have lost their homes and possessions. What the images fail to show, however, are the small homes, rural communities, and working settlements that experience the same kind of pain and suffering. All communities risk tremendous losses in the face of wildfires, but some communities risk losing more of their assets when their homes or their properties burn. Many rural and under-served communities have no insurance to rebuild their homes; renters are displaced and have no means to recover their valuables; and elderly and disabled residents confront additional threats when responding to events and caring for themselves and their families. Catastrophic wildfire can result in the loss of livelihood for residents and communities as a whole, including loss of jobs, natural resource and tourism industries, and other economic opportunities in the community. The purpose of this document is to provide tools to low-income and under-served communities for protection from wildfire. • Ensure that low capacity communities are incorporated within Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) goals. • Conduct risk assessments that include social as well as biophysical dimensions of risk. • Identify vulnerable populations and develop strategies to meet their needs within a CWPP. • Monitor and evaluate the impact of CWPPs.Item Open Access Establishing a Low-Income Assistance Program for the Rural/Metro Fire Department(University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2006-09-28) Bollig, Shaun R.; Lynn, Kathy; University of Oregon. Institute for a Sustainable Environment. Resource InnovationsLow-income citizens face greater obstacles in attaining and paying for public services, including energy, telephone, and water. The lack of resources to pay for services may also make it difficult for low-income residents to obtain adequate fire protection, particularly those in areas without a tax-based fire district. Rural/Metro Fire Department, a private organization in Josephine County, Oregon is interested in establishing a hardship program in recognition of the needs of low-income residents in its service area. This report is intended to outline the opportunities and challenges to implementing a hardship program that provides fire protection to residents who would otherwise be unable to afford and attain Rural/Metro’s services.Item Open Access Mapping the relationship between wildfire and poverty(University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2005-11) Lynn, Kathy; Gerlitz, WendyThis research project uses the concept of community capacity -- a community's ability to protect itself, respond to, and recover from wildfire -- and examines socioeconomic indicators (one component of community capacity) as elements of wildfire risk. Utilizing socioeconomic information, as well as ecological factors, this study set out to investigate, through a geographical-information-systems approach, whether communities most at risk from wildfire are able to access and benefit from federal programs established to serve these communities. In other words, are the dollars, assistance, and fuels-reduction projects hitting the ground in the areas throughout the country that are most at risk? This research project found that federal agencies do not have the information and data necessary to answer this question. Spatial data to inform every aspect of this research -- including data regarding the ecological conditions of federal lands, wildfire protection capability in and around communities, and the federal expenditures under the national fire plan -- are unavailable and/or inadequate. Using the limited data that are currently available, this research focused primarily on the relationship between poverty and populated areas at risk to wildfire. Our research indicates that there is a relationship between poverty and federal land ownership, and that more poor households are located in close proximity to federal lands. Perhaps more significant, the research shows a higher percentage of poor households in inhabited wildland areas that are not considered part of the Wildland Urban Interface the areas that federal agencies and Congress have prioritized to receive the majority of funds for activities under the national fire plan. The research also indicates that, in the one state analyzed, poor households are more likely in areas with low or no fire response capabilities than are non poor households.Item Open Access Wildfire and rural poverty: disastrous connections(Natural Hazards Observer, 2003-11) Lynn, KathyThe financial and social costs of wildfires are rising annually. Between 2000 and 2002, wildfires destroyed almost 4,000 structures nationwide and cost the federal government over $3.4 billion in fire suppression. Grants through the National Fire Plan, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program, and other local, state, and federal fire-related programs have been established to bolster community abilities to prepare for and reduce the risk of wildfires. However, while these grants and programs are available nationwide, the nation’s wildfire policies and programs do not provide the consistent, meaningful, and long-term assistance needed by the rural poor and by economically distressed communities to mitigate or recover from wildfires.Item Open Access Wildfire protection and tribal needs assessment : a study of the resources and needs related to wildland and structural fire protection for Pacific Northwest tribes(Program for Watershed and Community Health, University of Oregon, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, 2005-02) Lynn, KathyStudy to examine the needs and issues of Tribes in Oregon, Washington and Idaho in relationship to wildfire protection and prevention.