Green Readiness, Response, and Recovery: Stewardship of natural resources in the context of disturbance
April 10, 2019
Jonathan Halfon, FEMA
Traci Sooter & Nancy Chikaraishi, Drury University
Lindsay Campbell, USDA Forest Service
Massive social-ecological disturbance and disasters have struck the United States in recent years. In 2017 alone, the country dealt with devastation, destruction, and displacement from three major hurricanes, a nearly unprecedented wildfire season, and senseless acts of violence and terrorism. The magnitude of these disasters requires appropriate, large-scale coordinated emergency response and recovery efforts. Both research and practice demonstrate that natural resource stewardship activities can play a role in helping communities to recover, heal, and become more resilient. This webinar presents perspectives from authors in the forthcoming Forest Service General Technical Report Green Readiness, Response, and Recovery: A Collaborative Synthesis. First, Jonathan Halfon will reflect on how coordinated federal long-term recovery is evolving from a natural resource conservation perspective, drawing on examples from recent disasters in New York, the US Virgin Islands, and Hawaii. Then, Traci Sooter and Nancy Chikaraishi will share their experiences in designing community-based memorials in Joplin, MO following the 2011 EF5 tornado. Lindsay Campbell will moderate a discussion about how communities can rebuild and create capacity over time through innovative partnerships centered on community-based stewardship of natural resources.
Presentations
National Discovery Recovery Framework
Jonathan Halfon
Regional Coordinator, Community Planning and Capacity Building
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
A Green Recovery in Cunningham Park: Drury University responds to the Joplin tornado
Traci Sooter and Nancy Chikaraishi
Professors of Architecture, Hammons School of Architecture
Drury University
Resources
Resources Mentioned in the Webinar
National Disaster Recovery Framework
The National Disaster Recovery Framework establishes a common platform that enables effective recovery support to disaster-impacted States, Tribes, Territorial, and local jurisdictions. It also focuses on how best to restore, redevelop, and revitalize the health, social, economic, natural, and environmental fabric of the community and build increased resiliency.
Butterfly Garden and Overlook
This short video shares the story of Joplin, Missouri’s experience with a devastating tornado and how the Butterfly Garden and Overlook serves to help the community heal.
Nature Sacred
Learn more about Nature Sacred’s model that infuses small, meaningful urban green spaces into cities and communities looking to heal and strengthen.
Green Readiness, Response, and Recovery: A collaborative synthesis
This General Technical Report provides lessons learned from a diverse group of practitioners and researchers about the ways in which environmental stewardship has served as a catalyst for revitalizing communities. It focuses on practical solutions from various sectors on how to best prepare for, respond to, and recover from disturbances.
Green Readiness, Response, and Recovery: A collaborative synthesis
This General Technical Report provides lessons learned from a diverse group of practitioners and researchers about the ways in which environmental stewardship has served as a catalyst for revitalizing communities. It focuses on practical solutions from various sectors on how to best prepare for, respond to, and recover from disturbances.
US Forest Service Resources
More Than Bricks and Mortar: Rebuilding the spirit of community
A Vibrant Cities Lab case study of Joplin’s experience with lessons learned from participants involved in the recovery.
After the Trees Caught Fire
This Vibrant Cities Lab case study shares three community approaches to vegetation management after destructive wildfires.
Urban Environmental Stewardship Practices as Indicators of Social Resilience: The case of living memorials
This research paper describes how living memorials contribute to general resilience or the adaptive capacity of communities to respond to disturbances.