Wildfire Defense Rebuilding Support and Recovery Resources

Supporting Recovery and Resilience


Supporting Recovery and Resilience


In the wake of the 2025 Los Angeles Regional Fires, we aim to support the rebuilding and recovery efforts of fire-affected communities. This page is intended to provide support for community rebuilding efforts, landscape ecology restoration, and community resilience efforts. 

This initiative and its component programs, resources, and activities will build on USGBC-CA’s experience supporting homeowners with rebuilding in the wake of the Thomas and Woolsey fires. Those efforts led to the creation and launch of a Wildfire Defense Toolkit as well as a Wildfire Defense Certification program for contractors and landscapers, which has educated more than 1,300 industry professionals over the last three years. 

Over the coming months, we will be looking to direct additional efforts into community workshops, help desk support, green rebuilding training for contractors, digital tools, and more.

On this page:

Pacific Palisades_USGBCCA

Matchmaking to Support Green Rebuilding Efforts

The rebuilding process after a wildfire is a collective effort, and your contribution—whether it’s a need, resource, or expertise—can make a significant difference. If your community needs support or you have valuable resources, materials, or knowledge to share, we invite you to fill out the forms on the right. Our goal is to connect those in need with the resources and professionals that can help build more sustainable, resilient communities.

REbuilding

Are you in need of resources for your home or community?

To get more information on green rebuilding strategies, wildfire-resistant materials, landscapes, or anything your fire-affected community needs, click to fill out the form below.

 

Fill out this form

Do you or your organization have resources, materials, and/or equipment for sustainable rebuilding, community resilience, or anything to support rebuilding in wildfire-affected communities? Please fill out this form to share what you have to offer and we will connect you or your resources with communities in need. 

We are recruiting professionals willing to offer direct assistance to homeowners or businesses to rebuild sustainably and be more fire resilient. Please fill out this form to be a part of directly supporting our impacted communities.

This directory is an important resource for homeowners, cities, and those involved in the restoration process who will need wildfire-certified professionals to support the rebuilding of their communities. We will be promoting this as a tool for helping residents and businesses find expertise to help with their rebuilding efforts.

After The Firestorm: Rebuilding for a More Sustainable, Resilient Future


Jan 29, 2025

In response to the 2025 Los Angeles Regional Fires, USGBC-CA is convening leading experts on more sustainable, resilient rebuilding and recovery efforts for fire-affected communities.

This live webinar will bring together wildfire mitigation, residential design, planning, and landscape experts to provide information on resources and best practices for home rebuilding, landscape ecology restoration, and community resilience efforts.

Some of the topics covered will also include fire-resilient materials and structures for new construction, energy-efficient, all-electric design and construction, California native plants, creating defensible space, matching design with incentives and rebates, and more.

After the main panel, there will be breakouts to better connect with experts and ask more focused questions.

Feb 12, 2025

Wildfire Defense for Construction Professionals

This course equips construction professionals with the latest home hardening strategies to protect against wildfires. Topics include wildfire ecological history in California, home hardening techniques, building envelope design, sustainable materials, and seasonal maintenance practices to ensure long-term protection.

Feb 25, 2025

Wildfire Defense for Landscape Professionals

Designed for landscape professionals, this course focuses on creating defensible space through effective landscape design. Key topics include wildfire ecological history, defensible space strategies, using California native fire-resistant plants, land stewardship, and seasonal maintenance to reduce fire risk.

Curso a cualquier hora

Defensa contra Incendios para Profesionales de la Construcción

Capacitación de Certificado – Desarrollado para educar a profesionales de la construcción y paisajistas en cómo reforzar mejor los hogares y paisajes contra incendios a través del uso de materiales, prácticas de mantenimiento y diseños adaptados para reducir el riesgo de daños por fuego.

Curso a cualquier hora

Defensa contra Incendios para Profesionales del Paisajismo

Capacitación de Certificado – Desarrollado para educar a los contratistas y paisajistas en cómo proteger las casas y paisajes de mayor riesgo contra los incendios forestales a través del uso de materiales a la mano, prácticas de mantenimiento y uso de prácticas de diseño.

Resources for Recovery and Rebuilding

Since 2021, USGBC-CA has been hosting tours of firewise properties, open to professionals, the general public, and residents, to showcase comprehensive strategies and the latest techniques for fireproofing homes and defensive landscaping practices for wildfire risk mitigation.

You can find all tour recordings on our Wildfire Defense Education & Tours webpage. 

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Download the Wildfire Defense Toolkit

Discover how you can make a difference in wildfire preparedness for your property!

This toolkit compiles essential wildfire defense resources from experienced professionals including Ready, Set, Go! – developed by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire) Ready, Set, Go!, and resources made available by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), and others. Contact your local fire and building department for specific requirements or recommendations for your community or feel free to contact us at info@usgbc-la.org for more information or guidance.

Click here!

Additional Resources

As we work together to rebuild and recover from the recent fires, a variety of resources are available to support affected communities. Whether you need emergency health services, shelter, or information on wildfire defense, these resources are designed to help you navigate the challenges ahead. Explore the following links to find essential tools, services, and volunteer opportunities to aid in your recovery efforts.

Program Partners

RCDSMM – Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains – Sustainable Defensible Space Handbook

Theodore Payne Foundation – Wildfire Resiliency Resources

Tending the Land – Fire Resiliency in Sonoma County

 

 

NOTE TO MEDIA:  We invite you to utilize as many of these free public resources as possible in your ongoing coverage. If you choose to reference or credit us, please do so as “USGBC California” and our website is www.usgbc-ca.org. Please contact Julie Du Brow, Director of Communications and Partnerships, at 310-922-1301 or julie@usgbc-ca.org for any questions and for any requests for expert sources or interviews. Including our team, led by Executive Director Ben Stapleton (primary spokesperson),we have a large community of sustainable/resiliency building experts at hand for your range of needs (builders, architects, contractors, engineers, urban planners, landscapers, etc.) covering residential, commercial and industrial built spaces.

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