Progress 06/01/23 to 05/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:The target audience reached by the LIFTE Project is broad, including current Luna Community College (LCC) students, high school students, Local, State and National Fire Department personnel, personnel hired by US Forest Service (USFS) and NM Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD), Forest and Land Management Professionals and organizations, private land owners, volunteer firefighters and other community members. Changes/Problems:Project LIFTE's supports an innovative workforce development initiative called the LAND Center, or Luna's Agriculture and Natural Resources Development Center. Since Project LIFTE's application, there were several significant developments: An invitation for a formal MOU to be developed between Luna Community College (LCC) and the NM State Forestry Division, which is part of New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department. This MOU was a result of Project LIFTE representing the most significant workforce initiative, and its strong alignment with Strategy #8: Restoration Economy in the New Mexico Forest Action Plan (https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/sfd/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/NMFAP_2020_v1-1_2021_03_12b_web.pdf); USDA released the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission final report in September 2023 (https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/wfmmc-final-report-09-2023.pdf). Recommendations included several relevant aspects in Project LIFTE, specifically: The wildfire crisis that impacts community socioeconomics and disrupts land-based livelihoods; Natural resources which need to be managed more holistically and proactively, including the integration of mitigation, response and recovery activities; Expanding the workforce, including re-training, upskilling, and cross-training; Hermit's Peak / Calf Canyon (HPCC) Claims Office finalized parameters for compensation for those affected by New Mexico's largest wildfire, promising some financial relief, and potential resources for forest and land restoration and the accompanying trained workforce; New jobs resulting from HPCC-disaster related funding to improve aging and impacted infrastructure related to heavy equipment operators, sawyers, erosion mitigation specialists, etc. These new developments increased the relevance of Project LIFTE and initiated the name change to the Wildfire Resiliency Training Center (WRTC). WRTC better represents the increased prioritization of landscape resilience both in New Mexico and nationwide. Despite the new name, WRTC will still "centralize LCC's short-term and innovative training programs in LIFTE/FANH topics such as fire and restoration science, firefighting tactics, farm and rangeland management, forest and waterway restoration, use of land restoration equipment such as backhoes, bulldozers, masticators, etc., and formation and management of restoration teams and companies." To date all courses have been offered tuition free as we ramp up the program. We continue to work on communications and recruitment as we ramp up.The Project LIFTE team has employed a diverse communications dissemination strategy, including physical flyers, list serves. radio ads anddeveloped from wildland firefighting classes and Querencia in Action landowner workshops from 2022-2023 (these workshops have provided data for the development of Professional Certificates in land and forest restoration and wildfire science and firefighting). What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?To date, a total of 10 classes have been offered from January through May 18, 2024, serving 171 students in two locations, specifically: Las Vegas and Pecos NM. Sixteen additional students completed the Commercial Emergency Vehicle Operator (CEVO) Training on December 9, 2023. Training and professional development included job skills training at three separate two hour workshops for a total of 51 high school, college, and adult learners. Training included First Aid/CPR (13), Chainsaw Sarety (9), and emergency vehicle operations (16). Advantages to this type of training is that it has reached a wide number of different audiences and provided quick training and certificates that have allowed participants to advance in their current job or be better qualified for a position they are applying for. We also offered 7 wildland fire 4 day certification classes (95 participants) and this introduced a large number already employed individuals to the possibilities of new opportunities. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The Project LIFTE team has employed a diverse communications dissemination strategy, including physical flyers, list serves developed from wildland firefighting classes and Querencia in Action landowner workshops from 2022-2023 (these workshops have informed the Professional Certificates in land and forest restoration). Additionally, a newsletter was launched in April 2024 to showcase upcoming classes and trainings. Information about Project LIFTE's Wildfire Resiliency Training Center (WRTC) was shared at the following locations/events: NM State Legislation Open House in Santa Fe, NM on January 17, 2024; NM Tribal Forest and Fire Summit in Santa Ana Pueblo from January 30-February 1, 2024; FEMA Resource Fair in Mora NM March 16 2024; Northeastern Regional Education Collaborative meeting in Las Vegas NM on March 27 2024; Contractor Connects at New Mexico Highlands University on March 30, 2024; Justice40 Forum in Montezuma, NM on April 6, 2023; Northern Region Workforce Development Conference in Santa Fe NM on April 8, 2024; After the Flames Conference in Estes Park, CO from April 14-17, 2024; Robertson High School STEM careers event in Las Vegas, NM on April 17, 2024; Forest and Watershed Jobs Fair in Taos on April 26, 2024; Workforce Integration Network Conference in Las Vegas NM on April 26, 2024; Water Conversation in Mora on March 9, 2024 Additionally, the LIFTE project as a vital aspect of the WRTCwas featured in the following media outlets: March 10, 2024, feature in Rolling Stone magazine "The Government set fire in New Mexico. It Burned 341,735 acres" LCC invested in a WRTC production with broadcast on MSNBC, FOX & CNN in Phoenix, Denver, and Albuquerque. Two (5-minute and 60-second) marketing videos were produced and will be aired by ViewPoint with Dennis Quaid on PBS. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In the next six months, the LIFTE Projectwill be rolling out new trainings, including: Reforestation Workshop (May) Map Reading, Field Data Collection, and Mapping (July) Contour Felling and Hillslope Stabilization (July) Low-tech Restoration Approaches in Arroyos: Rock Structures (August) Managing Invasive Plants (July/August/September) Biweekly courses in introduction to heavy equipment operation will be offered starting in June 2024 Throughout June, July and August 2024, 10 wildland firefighter First Aid/CPR courses will be offered Additionally, WRTC staff is slated to complete the following professional development: Equity Centered Workforce Development Tool Forest Workers Safety Certification - gaining instructor certification to teach this class as a WRTC offering S212 - feller certification for internal instructor certification Natural Channel Design workshop on land restoration The WRTC team is also building its Advisory Council and hopes to host its first meeting in July. Current members of the council include**: Blanca Cespedes, assistant professor and Department Chair of Forestry, NM Highlands University Eytan Krasilovsky, deputy director, Forest Stewards Guild Joy Esparsen, executive director, NM Association of Counties Kent Reid, retired, former director, NM Forest & Restoration Institute Lydia Ulibarri, weeds coordinator and community liaison, Tierra y Montes SWCD Joe Zebrowski, cartographer, and community liaison, Private Contractor **Additional members are still being confirmed. The LIFTE Project/WRTC and the NM Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute (NMFWRI) are working towards a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to cover shared access to vehicles, tools, and supplies. This MOA will increase the FANH equipment at LCC, including a work truck, a mobile tool library, utility trailer, and a container for external storage. This MOA will formalize the existing relations between LCC and NMFWRI. Finally, the branding of WRTC will be developed and utilized in public outreach via radio, print, and social media.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
In the first six-months of this grant (October 2023-May 2024), progress has been made in the following: Objective 1A: Increase FANH Enrollment Finalized Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with NM State Forestry Division to partner in offering RT-130 Wildland Fire Safety Training Annual Refresher and S130/190 Basic Wildland Firefighting. A total of 10 classes were offered from January through May 2024, serving 171 students in two locations, specifically: Las Vegas and Pecos NM. This MOU enabled LCC to begin offering Spring 2024 classes with State Forestry instructors, thereby leveraging local resources. Additionally, 16 students completed training in Commercial Emergency Vehicle Operator (CEVO) Training, a necessary requirement for firefighters to operate fire apparatus and emergency equipment. Cultivated partnerships with state and county employers to identify skills needed for current or near-term job openings to align LIFTE project training directly to available positions. Project LIFTE aims to tightly couple training completions with job placements. These partnerships have informed priorities related to heavy equipment simulator training. The WRTC finalized aMemorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Las Vegas Land Grant to utilize Land Grant property to establish a demonstration site for Process-based Restoration and Forest Ecosystems and Management courses and use property for other learning activities. The WRTC initiated a partnership with seven local school districts to explore wildland firefighting high school pathways; a number of presentations and demonstrations were delivered to local and area high school students as well as at the Regional Science Fair held at NM Highlands University. Our program revived LCC's Associates of Applied Science in Fire Science with proposed dual concentrations in wildland and structural firefighting (reviewed and approved by LCC's curriculum review committee, resulting in a fully certificated wildland firefighting certificated curricula which concurrently holds National Wildfire Coordinating Group national certification). Developed new professional certificates in Process-based Restoration and Forest Ecosystems and Management (under review with LCC's curriculum review committee). These Professional Certificates are designed to condense the best available science-informed restoration practices for on-the-ground practitioners through convenient, abbreviated, hands-on short courses. Impact: A number of these courses were 'beta-tested' in community, home-owner courses in multiple regions of the Calf Canyon/ Hermit's Peak Fire affected areas. Developed new professional certificates in Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Wildland Firefighter training. These certificates are stackable and the Basic certificate is designed to qualify students for an entry level position with the US Forest Service and the other certificate will give students an opportunity to advance in the wildland firefighting workforce. Established partnership with Forest Industry Associates to expand access to Forest Workers Safety Certification. This course is currently taught by a single NM-based instructor. Established periodicFirst Aid/CPR classes to increase ease of access to basic safety certificationsas well as future EMT Basic and EMT Wilderness certificated programs. Impact: These classes resulted in a number of successes, such as nationally required wildfire refresher and re-certification completions for both volunteer and career firefighters, workforce development for entry level students completing required National/Luna certifications as illustrated by the following partial testimonials: "Thanks to these classes I have secured a position with the NM Forestry Division. The classes taught were very informative, and prepped me for the wildland firefighting position...secured. I am very grateful for the educators and Staff at Luna; I would not have this great opportunity without them". Also, the following testimonial from one of our partners, the New Mexico Forestry Division stated, "...the WRTC offered a series of wildfire training courses...(which) has already been helpful with AD recruitment of students not available for training during school. ...we had an applicant for our full-time Pecos River Fire Crew...that enabled him to start his new position at a higher pay rate than if he didn't have that training certificate". Objective 2: Provide FANH faculty and staff with development opportunities Staffing for Project LIFTE is currently filled with a director who was hired in November 2023, and a manager, hired in March 2024. A coordinator position is still yet to be filled.Both provided informal professional development opportunities as has the Project Director and advisory board members Contract instructors have support new staff development and transfer of knowledge. Although no formal professional development opportunities have been scheduled, both the director and manager have been meeting with industry (US Forest Service) certified personnel to learn more about skills and job opportunities for future LIFTE students. The director and manager have also met with personnel from the New Mexico Forest and Watershed Institute to ensure collaboration and alignment in the development of the Process-based Restoration and Forest Ecosystems and Management curricula. The LIFTE project team has also identified an Advisory Council made up of forest industry professionals, NM State Forestry personnel, academics, and private business land management contractors. This advisor board is still being formalized however, many of these individuals have been meeting with project LIFTE personnel and have provided guidance and advice on the curriculum development for all certificate programs being created. Objective 3: Modernize FANH laboratory and equipment To date, LCC has identified and designated space for a heavy equipment simulator lab. The lab has been furnished by LCC and simulators have been ordered, specifically for eight different types of heavy equipment including: Excavator, Skidsteer, Backhoe, Grader, Dozer, Forwarder, Harvester, and Wheel Loader. Additionally, two rugged field laptops have been purchased for field-based instruction and two monitors for in-office use. Numerous stories and testimonials from students, organizations, Homeowners Associations, volunteer firefighting departments and other residents continue to be received by LCC and the WRTC for the LIFTE/FANH programs.
Publications
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