Welcome
Creating Fire-Resilient Landscapes for a Safer Future
Empowering communities to protect their homes from wildfires.
About us
Wildfire Resilient Landscapes (WRL)
Wildfire Resilient Landscapes (WRL) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to reducing wildfire risks and restoring fire-affected ecosystems through sustainable landscaping, native plant restoration, and community education. We believe that proactive land management, fire-resistant planting, and workforce training are essential to creating safer, more resilient communities in the face of increasing wildfire threats.
Deborah Hanson founded WRL, which partners with its sister venture, Wildfire Resilient Native Plants Nursery, a for-profit business that grows and supplies native, fire-adaptive plants. Together, these initiatives ensure that homeowners, landscapers, and public agencies have the knowledge and access to the right plants to create defensible spaces that slow fire spread, restore biodiversity, and protect people and nature.
By integrating science-backed solutions, hands-on restoration projects, and local plant availability, WRL is building fire-smart, climate-resilient, and ecologically sustainable landscapes.
Our Mission
Wildfire Resilient Landscapes (WRL) was founded in response to the increasing loss of urban tree cover and the devastating impact of wildfires on communities and ecosystems. We are committed to restoring fire-affected lands, expanding urban tree canopies, and providing homeowners, businesses, and local governments with fire-resistant native plants. Through education, restoration projects, and sustainable landscaping solutions, WRL empowers communities to reduce wildfire risk, combat urban heat, and rebuild fire-smart and climate-resilient landscapes.
Why it Matters
Wildfires are becoming more frequent, intense, and destructive, threatening California's homes, communities, and ecosystems. Traditional landscaping often includes flammable vegetation that increases fire hazards, leaving properties vulnerable to fast-spreading wildfires. Without proactive solutions, the risks continue to grow, putting lives, infrastructure, and the environment in danger.
We can dramatically reduce these risks by shifting towards fire-resilient landscaping and sustainable land management. Fire-resistant native plants act as natural barriers that slow the spread of flames, retain soil moisture, and support biodiversity. Creating defensible spaces protects individual properties and contributes to broader community safety and environmental stability.
At WRL, we believe that education, proper land management, and community-driven action are key to mitigating wildfire devastation. Our work provides the knowledge, resources, and workforce development needed to help individuals, businesses, and public agencies implement effective wildfire prevention strategies. Investing in fire-adaptive landscaping today means protecting lives, property, and natural habitats for future generations.
How We Work
WRL is committed to wildfire prevention through research, education, and action. We plan to provide workshops, online resources, and on-site consultations to help communities understand fire-safe landscaping practices. Through our nursery, we plan to grow and distribute native plants specifically suited for fire-prone regions, ensuring accessibility to fire-resistant landscaping options. Our workforce development programs plan to create job opportunities in restoration, conservation, and nursery operations, particularly for individuals with disabilities. In addition, we plan to partner with organizations such as CalFire, CSUN, fire-safe councils, and local environmental groups to integrate wildfire prevention efforts at multiple levels.
Our Vision
We envision a future where communities, businesses, and governments proactively embrace wildfire resilience by integrating fire-smart landscaping, sustainable land management, and inclusive workforce development. Combining science, education, and action can transform landscapes into fire-adaptive, climate-resilient spaces that protect people, preserve ecosystems, and reduce wildfire risks.
We aim to make fire-adaptive landscaping the standard, ensuring that native plants, defensible spaces, and urban greening become essential tools in wildfire mitigation. Through collaboration, restoration, and education, we are shaping a future where California—and beyond—is safer, greener, and better prepared for the challenges of a changing climate.
Wildfire Resilient Landscapes (WRL) : Empowering Communities
Wildfire Resilient Landscapes (WRL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting fire-smart landscapes through education, restoration, and the use of California native plants. Our mission is to empower communities with the knowledge and resources to reduce wildfire risks, restore ecosystems, and create sustainable, fire-resilient environments.
