A program of Wildfire Resilient Landscapes (WRL) in collaboration with Wildfire Resilient Native Plants Nursery (WRN)

The Disability-Inclusive Green Workforce Program is a forward-thinking initiative by Wildfire Resilient Landscapes (WRL) designed to build wildfire resilience through landscape restoration while creating inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Developed in collaboration with the Wildfire Resilient Native Plants Nursery (WRN), the program blends workforce development, ecological education, and native plant cultivation to restore high-risk environments and empower marginalized workers.

This program is rooted in WRL’s dual mission:

1. To empower individuals with disabilities through job training and accessible employment in the environmental sector.
2. To build more fire-resilient communities through native plant restoration, education, and landscape transformation.

• Trains individuals with disabilities in fire-smart landscaping, ecological restoration, and nursery operations
• Creates part-time and full-time jobs in administration, fieldwork, and horticulture
• Provides adaptive tools and safety equipment to ensure full participation
• Offers fire-adaptive landscaping workshops to community members
• Sources and distributes native plants through WRN for restoration and defensible space

Focus AreaDescriptionInclusive EmploymentHires and supports people with disabilities in diverse green job rolesWorkforce TrainingSkills in planting, propagation, habitat restoration, and nursery operationsPublic EngagementCommunity education on defensible space, wildfire resilience, and biodiversityWRN IntegrationNursery supports restoration and provides long-term revenue sustainability

• Executive Director – Leadership, operations, grant writing
• Restoration Technician – Field restoration, native seed collection, habitat design
• Nursery Assistant – Plant care, propagation, kit preparation
• Community Outreach & Admin Coordinator – Volunteer coordination, public events, documentation

Each position includes training, mentorship, and potential for advancement.

While WRL is in early development, we envision potential collaboration with:

• Los Angeles Community Colleges – Vocational training or certificate programs
• CSUN or local CSU campuses – Research, intern placements, and education support
• Department of Rehabilitation – Inclusive workforce services and client referrals
• Local nonprofits – Cross-program coordination, habitat access, or co-hosting events

• Hire and train 3–4 employees with disabilities in Year 1
• Distribute 1,000+ fire-resilient native plants to communities in high-risk areas
• Host monthly public workshops or demo sessions
• Restore and maintain acres of fire-prone land with defensible space practices
• Publish an annual community impact report

The Disability-Inclusive Green Workforce Program is designed to grow. Future phases may include:

• Expansion to additional counties across California
• Development of a certified Fire-Resilient Landscaping Curriculum
• Partnerships with housing developments for defensible space transformation
• A pipeline from classroom training to real-world employment in restoration and nursery work

This document serves as a working program model to guide conversations with stakeholders, potential partners, and funders as WRL and WRN continue to grow. It reflects our vision of a more inclusive, sustainable future—rooted in community, powered by native plants, and designed for wildfire resilience.