To address utahs increasing wildfire risk, the fire adapted communities learning network (FAC net), in collaboration with utah state university (USU) (a subrecipient of this grant) and other key…

The Watershed Research And Training Center (doing business as Watershed Center) received a $365,000 cooperative agreement from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) under the Wildland Fire Fuels Management and Community Fire Assistance Program (CFDA 15.228), awarded September 21, 2025, with a completion date of September 20, 2030. In collaboration with Utah State University as a subrecipient, the Watershed Center will implement a five-year, phased initiative called the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network (FAC NET) to strengthen wildfire adaptation capacity across Utah through community-based practitioner support, strategic planning, and comprehensive community wildfire assessments.

The initiative will deliver multiple products and services including: a statewide needs assessment and invitation-only workshop to identify high-priority communities; 5–8 community wildfire assessments with pass-through pilot project funding; one white paper presenting statewide assessment results and five case studies documenting lessons learned; targeted training workshops (FAC Pathways and home ignition zone assessments); bimonthly network-building calls focused on Utah-specific resources; one-on-one strategy coaching for wildfire practitioners; two rounds of microgrants for local mitigation projects; two virtual learning events; and ongoing partnerships with state agencies including the Utah Department of Natural Resources Forestry, Fire and State Lands Division. This project builds on successful FAC NET models and assessment techniques previously piloted in Arizona to support both existing and new pilot wildfire mitigation efforts across the state.

To address utahs increasing wildfire risk, the fire adapted communities learning network (FAC net), in collaboration with utah state university (USU) (a subrecipient of this grant) and other key partners, proposes a five-year, phased initiative to strengthen wildfire adaptation capacity across the state. This project will support community-based wildfire practitioners through targeted training, peer networking, strategic planning, and in-depth community wildfire assessments. Using FAC nets successful models for practitioner support, as well as a comprehensive community wildfire assessment technique piloted in arizona, this project will help bolster existing efforts in the state, as well as support new pilot efforts. This project will begin with a statewide needs assessment and an invite-only workshop to identify high-priority communities and capacity gaps. In years 24, the team will conduct in-depth community wildfire assessments, deliver pilot project support, and provide practitioner-focused resources including, one-on-one coaching, and microgrants for local mitigation efforts. The final year will culminate in a statewide virtual learning event to share results and identify long-term strategies for sustaining fire-adapted communities in utah. Key deliverables include: one practitioner workshop to kick off the project one white paper to present the results of the statewide assessment and five stories of lessons learned or case studies from the project 5-8 community wildfire assessments (including pilot project pass-through funds) one FAC pathways workshop and one home ignition zone or other similar home assessment training bimonthly calls dedicated to utah-focused resources and network-building one-on-one strategy coaching for practitioners two virtual learning events two round of microgrants for practitioner projects ongoing partnership with statewide agencies such as utah department of natural resources forestry, fire and state lands (utah DNR ffsl) division, and partners such as the utah forest restoration institute (ufri) at USU a final virtual learning event open to all working on wildfire in the state of utah at the end of this project capitalizing on 12 years of FAC net success, relationships, and resources, this utah-focused FAC effort will also be connected to national efforts utilizing the networks extensive partnerships and expertise. Beneficiaries of this effort are: the practitioners that receive direct training, capacity building support and pilot project funding the public land managers, who will benefit from strengthened working relationships and a more informed public and, the at-risk communities across the state who will benefit from increased capacity to address local wildfire risk and build sustainable, place-specific programs. By expanding practitioner capacity and fostering cross-boundary collaboration, this initiative will directly benefit local leaders, state agencies, and at-risk communities, while aligning with bureau of land management priorities.