WORKING WITH A PURPOSE

 By Debbie Hanson

At Wildfire Resilient Landscapes (WRL) and the Wildfire Resilient Native Plants Nursery (WRN), our tree planting plan is grounded in science, equity, and community care. It addresses urgent climate challenges while creating long-term resilience for both ecosystems and neighborhoods.

Restoring Native Tree Cover
Wildfires and prolonged drought have caused severe loss of native trees across California. In many burned areas, natural regeneration is no longer guaranteed because of the intensity of recent fires. Research shows that active reforestation in wildfire-affected regions can accelerate regrowth and strengthen ecosystem stability (Frontiers in Forests and Global Change, 2025; ScienceDirect, 2024). By focusing on native species, WRL aims to rebuild soil health, reduce erosion, and support regional biodiversity.

Building Community Resilience
Strategically planted trees lower temperatures in high heat urban areas, reduce the need for energy use, and improve air quality. A UCLA study found that expanding tree canopy can reduce extreme heat-related emergency room visits by as much as 66 percent in vulnerable neighborhoods. Trees also improve stormwater management and provide natural protection against wind and fire exposure (The Nature Conservancy, 2021; Wired, 2022).

Promoting Environmental Education and Workforce Development
The plan integrates education and job training to ensure both environmental and economic sustainability. The California Natural Resources Agency identifies workforce development as a critical strategy for long-term climate resilience. Organizations such as TreePeople have shown that public education in climate-smart landscaping empowers residents to maintain and protect green spaces. Through WRL, we provide workshops, training, and community-led design so that residents are directly engaged in restoring and caring for their neighborhoods.

Using WRN Grown Native Trees with Community Led Engagement
Trees used in this plan are grown locally at the Wildfire Resilient Native Plants Nursery. These trees are adapted to the local climate and contribute to regional fire resilience. Community members, schools, and neighborhood groups help select planting sites, design care plans, and share knowledge to ensure long-term success.

Our holistic plan promotes ecological recovery, community empowerment, and climate action. It is rooted in the soil of Los Angeles and led by the people it serves.

• Frontiers in Forests and Global Change. (2025). Post-fire reforestation in the western United States: Lessons from 30 years of recovery.
• ScienceDirect. (2024). Seedling survival and vegetation regrowth in burned conifer forests of California.
• Wired. (2022). City trees save lives: How green spaces cool neighborhoods and reduce heat-related deaths.
• UCLA Center for Healthy Climate Solutions. (2023). Extreme Heat and Tree Canopy Inequity in Los Angeles County
• The Nature Conservancy. (2021). Wildfire Resilience Funding and Community Benefits. 
• TreePeople. (2023). Climate Gardening 101: Building resilience through urban forestry.
• California Natural Resources Agency. (2023). Forest Stewardship and Climate Workforce Strategy Report.