In order to protect people and preserve open spaces and natural resources, we must implement innovative land-use policies and collaborate at the state, regional, and local levels to change our relationship to wildfire. So we are documenting the critical role that different types of open spaces can play in wildfire prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
Greenbelt Alliance is doing this by…
Conducting original research on how the natural environment around us can play a significant role as nature-based solutions to climate risks like wildfire. Specifically, protected greenbelts and open spaces are growing in importance as a wildfire resiliency tool with multiple benefits and applications in fire-prone areas across the US. Such research is particularly relevant now after the devastating human and ecological impacts from wildfires over the past few years across the Bay Area and will serve to generate lessons learned for California as well as other states. Click here to get this breakthrough research today!
Putting our findings and recommendations into action in ongoing regional planning—making the case and directive for what is needed to use greenbelts as land-use policy tools in wildfire planning, prevention, and long-term resilience planning.
We will achieve this by sharing
"The Critical Role of Greenbelts in Wildfire Resilience" with policymakers, planners, and key stakeholders. This original research provides detailed recommendations for concerned residents, leaders, and advocates to leverage greenbelts that will reduce wildfire risk.
We will then promote the findings and policy recommendations and best practices through thought-leadership blogs, educational events, external campaigns, and topical webinars.
We will work to build a network—across sectors and breaking down silos—to collaborate on implementing land-use policy
that reduces wildfire risks.
We will also advocate for actions in ongoing regional planning efforts: promoting what is needed to use greenbelts as land-use policy tools in wildfire planning, prevention, and resilience.
In the Bay Area, we’re no strangers to wildfires. Year after year we are forced to reckon with staggering statistics of the record number of homes destroyed and acres burned. But much less often do we hear about the rippling effects that wildfire events have on our frontline workers and unhoused neighbors, and even more
Update: Sonoma County voters have passed Measure O to maintain high-quality fire and emergency services for all! Greenbelt Alliance encourages Sonoma County residents to ensure adequate fire and emergency services for the Schell-Vista Fire Protection District through a special tax. The district has provided ample fire prevention, fire suppression, and life safety services since 1942
On June 11, Greenbelt Alliance supporters gathered at Dagmar Dolby’s stunning home for our annual Sonoma Luncheon. Under a bright blue sky, our guests enjoyed a selection of local wines and a delicious sustainable farm-to-table lunch from the wonderful Stacy Scott Fine Catering Company. Guests then learned about our ongoing efforts to build wildfire resilience
Wildfire season has arrived earlier than ever this year and is already showing promise to surpass the destruction of 2020. Between January 1 and July 4, there were 4,599 fires that burned 114.8 square miles, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, which represents a spike of 136% in terms of area
On June 26, Greenbelt Alliance supporters gathered at the beautiful McEvoy Ranch in Petaluma for our very first in-person gathering since COVID-19. Situated under the Japanese Pagoda, guests were treated to a special olive oil tasting while they sipped on wine sourced directly from the ranch. Guests also enjoyed a delicious sustainable farm-to-table lunch from
The Bay Area is at a tipping point in its relationship to wildfire. There is huge potential for the region, and other places across the Western US, to accelerate greenbelts as critical land-use tools to bolster wildfire resilience.
