The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program’s Post

Catch my interview live with NPR All Things Considered today at 2:20PM PST/5:20PM EST. I had the incredible opportunity to speak with host Juana Summers on the forestry workforce shortage in California and the wider US, and how the The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program is solving for it by elevating an untapped pool of talent: formerly incarcerated folks. In 2023, the The Nature Conservancy Conservancy reported that there will be a gap of nearly 9,400 forestry workers in California by 2028. Recent data shows that over 3,500 people were released from prison with Fire Camp experience–a third of California’s wildland firefighting personnel shortage. At the The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, we’re setting out to connect these dots and close this gap in our state, but we know that California isn’t the only one battling labor shortages, employment challenges, and a climate crisis. We’re committed to tackling these issues one step at a time–and our work is just beginning. You can also find my interview available on all streaming platforms. Please be sure to give it a listen, and learn more about the opportunity FFRP provides: https://lnkd.in/gmHkTBWh And if you’re interested in supporting my work at FFRP, please consider making a contribution today: https://lnkd.in/ghFa2G-g