The Andrus Center for Public Policy at Boise State University announced on Mar. 25 that it will host a one-day Collaboration Summit titled “Fire Knows No Boundaries” at the Stueckle Sky Center. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and will focus on Idaho’s response to wildfires across human and natural boundaries.
The summit aims to bring together stakeholders from across Idaho and the western United States to discuss wildland fire prevention, preparation, and ecosystem resilience. The event is designed for participants representing local, state, federal, tribal, and other jurisdictions who are involved in or affected by wildfire management.
“This event is designed to bring together people from across Idaho and the west, spanning local, state, federal, tribal and other jurisdictions to collaborate around wildland fire prevention and preparation,” said Emily Wakild, Andrus Endowed Chair.
Speakers at the summit will include industry leaders as well as representatives from nonprofit organizations, agencies, universities, Governor Brad Little of Idaho; Kristin Sleeper, policy director for Governor Little; and Brian Fennessy of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service are scheduled to give formal remarks during the program. In addition to presentations about successes and challenges in wildfire collaboration—from preparation through long-term landscape resilience—the summit will feature an expo highlighting organizations connected with wildland fire efforts.
Katherine Himes, director of the McClure Center at University of Idaho—one of this year’s co-hosts—said: “The McClure Center supports Idaho’s leaders as they cultivate and expand their collaboration capacity. The Summit is a great place to do just this.”
Eric Winford of the Rangeland Center added: “Wildland fire is an important topic today whether you are a member of a neighborhood association or an agency head. Our goals are for participants to expand their understanding of collaborative approaches for wildland fire prevention adaptation and response; come away with ideas to use these approaches in their work—wildland fire or other natural resources challenges; learn on-the-ground tools for engaging across jurisdictional boundaries; and build new relationships that leverage the wisdom in the room.”
Registration information along with updates about the event can be found on the Andrus Center’s website.
