Background/Question/Methods

The Healthy Forests Restoration Act represented a major policy response for fuels management and possible ecosystem restoration in fire-prone systems in the United States. One initiative under its umbrella is a policy attempt to encourage collaboration on Community Wildfire Projection Plans (CWPPs). The question remains, whether mandates for collaboration result in improved mechanisms for work across scales on complex human-natural systems. Do CWPPs enhance social network ‘weak ties’ that function for improved wildfire preparedness? How do these networks address ecosystem values? In an evaluation of 13 CWPP case studies, selected from plans across the U.S., we conducted more than 130 in-depth participant interviews. Interviews were taped, transcribed, and coded for relevant factors by multiple researchers. A cross-case comparison was done for emerging themes and then as a check, themes were discussed with an advisory board team composed of practitioners representing multiple scales and experiences.  

Results/Conclusions

We analyzed changes in network attributes including shared goals, embedded scales, information and resource flows, trust, and landscape-level plans for joint action, among others. We found changes in network formation, CWPP process characteristics that supported the creation of ‘weak ties’, and relational as well as knowledge outcomes of network functioning. Most cases provided examples of adding scales and expanding network complexity. Regional variation existed in recognition of ecosystem values and willingness to address them in planning.  Mandated CWPP collaboration resulted in strengthened and/or expanded networks to implement wildfire preparedness activities for fuels management and to a lesser extent ecosystsem health.