Changing Roles: Building skills to meet WUI challenges Nicole Wulff U.S. Forest Service - InterfaceSouth

Outline Why Changing Roles? Past Present Future How to get CR? Discussion

the WUI is an area where increased human influence and land conversion are changing natural resource goods, services, and management therefore.. We need: –an understanding of WUI issues and their interconnections and –new skills and approaches The WUI from resource management a resource management perspective..

Why Changing Roles?

New Tactics The Far Side Shhh… Zog, Here come one now.

Limited Options Limited Options The Far Side

Partners and Cooperators Virginia Tech, Auburn University, NC State, Southern Regional Extension Forestry

Training The Far Side

Module Topics 1: WUI Issues and Connections 2: Managing Interface Forests 3: Land-Use Planning and Policy 4: Communicating with Interface Residents and Leaders

Module Contents Trainer’s Guide Fact Sheets Presentations Exercises

Additional resources Website Case Studies DVD – When Nature is at Your Doorstep Resource List Evaluation Resources Trainer’s CD-ROM

Pop Quiz! 1: WUI Issues and Connections 2: Managing Interface Forests 3: Land-Use Planning and Policy 4: Communicating with Interface Residents and Leaders

Sustainability in the WUI Programs Interface Management Land-Use Planning/Policy LeadersPublic Policies “US” Communication Stewardship Universities Service Providers Education Changing Roles WUI Issues & Connections

Advantages and Outcomes of CR

Support from USFS Regional Training Coordinator. Can be integrated into existing training programs. Training material is flexible and can be tailored to meet your agency’s needs. Training material is well-organized and user-friendly. What are the advantages of using Changing Roles?

Training materials contain exercises and case studies. Knowledge and skills gained can be integrated into current activities and projects. Participants can earn continuing forestry education credits through SAF. Will soon have webinar format.

Positive Outcomes of CR: Have reached diverse audiences: Service providers/consulting foresters Master Naturalists, University students, Landowners Community members Local non-profits NRP have reached diverse audiences: Service providers/consulting foresters, Master Naturalists, University students, Landowners, Community members, Local non-profits

Positive Outcomes of CR Event: Texas Forest Expo Partnership: MOU

Further Implementing Changing Roles The SGSF identified the expansion of CR as an action item of critical importance in Recognized the need for further improvement and implementation. InterfaceSouth developed and submitted a proposal to the SGSF to fund a CR Coordinator for three years. I was hired to work with InterfaceSouth late November 2008.

Present: Recent Accomplishments

New Coordinator- Nicole Wulff My main responsibilities are to: Assist trainers with trainings. Add to and modify existing materials. Develop new modules as needed. Develop partnerships with professional organizations and agencies. Facilitate interaction between trainers in different States and potential partners. Develop new strategies, such as webinars, to train more people.

Train-the-Trainer Workshop Lake Conroe, TX April 23-25, 2009 Over 50 participants, 10 states 2 tracks TFS, USFS, TPWD

Future state-level trainings Kentucky- three 1-day interagency trainings. Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and New Hampshire are discussing.

Changing Roles Changing Roles section of InterfaceSouth webpage Changing Roles Listserve Changing Roles Notebook Changing Roles Update Information Handout Related Resources Trainer’s Corner

Cooperatio n with UF 3 hour Communications focused lab Forestry Camp this summer

Future: Integrated CR Program Southwide and Beyond Webinar delivery New modules and incorporation of new information into existing modules. Support of and facilitation and coordination between trainers. Partnership building.

How to do it… Contact me! Identify what you want your staff to learn or be able to do. Contact a trainer in your state. Discuss Plan Implement!

Discussion Is there additional knowledge/skill sets that natural resource professionals need to know/develop in order to work in an urbanizing environment?

Discussion Are there any emerging issues in the fire community that the program may want to address? What does the Fire community need to know in order to work effectively in the interface?

Thank you for your time! Q & A

Leftover slides

Fumbling for his recline button, Ted unwittingly instigates a disaster. Decisions to Make The Far Side

Take advantage of down time

Future Priorities

Nicole Wulff U.S. Forest Service - InterfaceSouth Changing Roles: Building skills to meet WUI challenges

The Far Side

Further Implementing Changing Roles The SGSF identified the expansion of CR as an action item of critical importance in Recognized the need for further improvement and implementation. InterfaceSouth developed and submitted a proposal to the SGSF to fund a CR Coordinator for three years. I was hired to work with InterfaceSouth late November 2008.