Chris Barth is an Emergency Management Specialist with the USDA Forest Service, Washington Office, Fire and Aviation Management, National Incident Management Organization (NIMO). He is a Public Information Officer (PIO) on NIMO Team 3. He has more than three decades of fire experience with diverse experience in strategic communications. As a PIO, Chris\u2019 communication style is shaped by his operational, professional, and research experiences. He works with the public, internal and external partners, elected officials, and the media to communicate fire management strategies and disaster response, planning, and fire adaptation concepts.<\/p>\n
Chris is a founding member and subject matter expert for the Wildfire Research (WiR\u0113) Team \u2013 with research interests in homeowners\u2019 attitudes towards wildfire mitigation and public perception of wildfire risk. He has co-authored papers on homeowners\u2019 attitudes towards wildfire mitigation and public perception of wildfire risk. He has also presented at national and international conferences related to his work in this field.<\/p>\n
Chris has been committed to the application of science and new and emerging technologies to inform best practices for creating fire adapted communities. He has received several national awards for his work to reduce community wildfire risk. Chris holds Bachelor\u2019s Degrees in both Biology and Environmental Conservation from the University of Colorado at Boulder, as well as a Master\u2019s Degree in Environmental Education from the University of Montana.<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”ec7e267d-2496-48a3-aa22-33738ee6ee3e” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]christopher.barth@usda.gov<\/a>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wildfireresearchcenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/patty-champ.webp” alt=”Patty Champ” title_text=”patty-champ” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Patty Champ” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n USDA Forest Service – Rocky Mountain Research Station<\/strong><\/p>\n Patty Champ is an economist in the Human Dimensions Program at the U.S. Forest Service\u2019s Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) in Fort Collins, CO. She has been with RMRS since 1994. Patty\u2019s research focuses on three aspects of wildfire: wildland-urban interface (WUI) homeowners\u2019 risk mitigating behaviors, the economic costs of exposure to wildfire smoke, and the effects of wildfire risk on home sales prices. In addition to wildfire, one of Patty\u2019s other research interests is in nonmarket valuation.<\/p>\n Patty is also lead editor of\u00a0A Primer on Nonmarket Valuation<\/em>. Patty has undergraduates degrees in Economics and International Relations, a Master\u2019s Degree in Economics, and a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Agriculture and Applied Economics.<\/p>\n Learn more about Patty\u2019s research.<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”ec7e267d-2496-48a3-aa22-33738ee6ee3e” global_colors_info=”{}”]patricia.a.champ@usda.gov<\/a>[\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,3_4″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wildfireresearchcenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/James-Meldrum.webp” alt=”James Meldrum” title_text=”James-Meldrum” _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”James Meldrum” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n US Geological Survey – Fort Collins Science Center, Social and Economic Analysis Branch<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n James Meldrum is a research economist in the Social and Economic Analysis Branch at the US Geological Survey (USGS) Fort Collins Science Center. In addition to his work with the WiR\u0113 Team, he investigates the effects of natural resource decisions, including those about fuels and fire management, on ecosystem services. James has authored numerous publications on wildfire risk, plus other topics including water resources, energy, flood risk, and invasive species. James has a PhD in environmental economics from the University of Colorado Environmental Studies Program and a BS in physics from Washington University in St. Louis.<\/p>\n Learn more about James\u2019s research.<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb use_icon=”on” font_icon=”||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.22.2″ _module_preset=”ec7e267d-2496-48a3-aa22-33738ee6ee3e” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n jmeldrum@usgs.gov<\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Chris Barth USDA Forest Service – Washington Office, Fire and Aviation Management Chris Barth is an Emergency Management Specialist with the USDA Forest Service, Washington Office, Fire and Aviation Management, National Incident Management Organization (NIMO). He is a Public Information Officer (PIO) on NIMO Team 3. He has more than three decades of fire experience […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"\r\n Colleen Donovan<\/a>,<\/strong> Project Manager, WiR\u0113 Center \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n Chiara Forrester<\/strong><\/a>, Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, WiR\u0113 Center Carolyn Wagner<\/a>,<\/strong> Data Manager, WiR\u0113 Center \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n Suzanne Wittenbrink<\/strong>, Program Associate, WiR\u0113 Center\u00a0 Hannah Brenkert-Smith<\/strong>, <\/a>Institute of Behavioral Science. University of Colorado, Boulder<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n Dana Coelho<\/strong>, Colorado State Forest Service<\/a> Lilia Falk<\/strong>, <\/a>West Region Wildfire Council<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n Jamie Gomez<\/strong>, <\/a>West Region Wildfire Council<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n Hollis Hope<\/strong> Chris Barth<\/strong>, <\/a>U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Montana\/Dakotas<\/a> Chris is a founding member and subject matter expert for the Wildfire Research (WiR\u0113) Team - with research interests in homeowners\u2019 attitudes towards wildfire mitigation and public perception of wildfire risk. He has co-authored papers<\/a> on homeowners\u2019 attitudes towards wildfire mitigation and public perception of wildfire risk. He has also presented at national and international conferences related to his work in this field.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n Patty Champ<\/strong>, <\/a>Rocky Mountain Research Station, USDA Forest Service<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n James Meldrum<\/strong>, <\/a>US Geological Survey<\/a> Pam Froemke<\/strong>, <\/a>Rocky Mountain Research Station<\/a> Julia Goolsby<\/strong>, Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado, Boulder<\/a> \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n Abby McConnell, U.S. Geological Survey<\/p>\r\n\r\n Cody Evers, Portland State University<\/p>\r\n\r\n Zoe Boiarsky, University of Colorado, Boulder<\/p>\r\n\r\n Katlyn Blacksten, University of Colorado, Boulder<\/p>\r\n\r\n Hilary Byerly<\/strong>, University of Colorado<\/a>Patty Champ<\/a><\/h3>\n
James Meldrum<\/a><\/h3>\n
WiR\u0113 Center<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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Colleen provides expertise and support to wildfire practitioners, community organizations, and local leaders living and working in the wildland urban interface to implement the WiR\u0113 approach. She is the day-to-day point of contact for WiR\u0113 practitioner partners. Colleen has over 13 years of experience applying social science research in a variety of applications and providing strategic project management support for local, state, federal, and tribal natural resource agencies. Colleen holds a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Environmental Studies and Environmental Biology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Master\u2019s degree in Environmental Management from Duke University\u2019s Nicholas School of the Environment.<\/p>\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wildfireresearchcenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/chiara_photo-edited.jpeg\")
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Chiara is passionate about conducting fire mitigation efforts with diverse stakeholders to support resilient communities and ecosystems. At WiR\u0113, Chiara works with fire districts, community members, and stakeholders to conduct, understand, and design actions based on wildfire risk assessments. She has experience designing and overseeing forest restoration projects inside and outside of defensible space, developing data-driven adaptive management plans that consider many values, and facilitating partnerships between practitioners, scientists, and community members. Chiara also has a wide range of research experience, from studying the impacts of climate change on plant ecology in alpine and agricultural systems to conducting survey research on the use of climate change research in land management decisions. She holds a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from the University of Colorado Boulder and a Bachelor\u2019s degree in Plant Ecology and Environmental Education from Hampshire College. In her free time, Chiara loves failing to tire her pup out, mountain biking, backcountry skiing, tending to her 27 houseplants, and making dinner with friends.<\/p>\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wildfireresearchcenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Carolyn-Wagner-300x300.jpg\")
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Carolyn's primary responsibility is to process and analyze social and wildfire risk data collected by the WiR\u0113 Center and communicate the story behind the data with the partner communities. Carolyn has over 14 years of experience with data management and analysis. Her data experience includes the full range of data management functions: conceptualization of data collection and management, design and testing of surveys and data forms, collecting and processing data to meet quality standards, and combining primary and secondary data sources. Carolyn\u2019s expertise includes developing tools to coordinate and manage the data collection process; writing protocols and procedures to document and ensure consistent quality control standards; coordinating large project teams, and conducting statistical analysis using Stata and Excel. In addition to working with WiR\u0113, she works as a natural resource economist for her LLC, CW Research and Consulting, where she provides economic and research support to multiple clients. She holds a BA in Economics from the University of Colorado and an MA from the University of Colorado Denver.<\/p>\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wildfireresearchcenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/SuzanneHeadshot-984x1024.jpg\")
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Suzanne provides task support for the WiR\u0113 team as she finishes up her degree in Environmental and Natural Resource Economics with a minor in Global Environmental Sustainability at Colorado State University. Her professional goal is to be part of solutions at the public-natural resource interface and the WiR\u0113 Center is at the forefront of those solutions. Suzanne is always willing to learn and is excited to work alongside experts who are passionate about what they do. Outside of school and work, Suzanne likes to explore the outdoors with her family, ride horses, crochet, go for runs with her dog, and row indoors. \u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\nWiR\u0113 Center Board of Directors<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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Hannah Brenkert-Smith is a research associate professor at the University of Colorado Boulder\u2019s Institute of Behavioral Science. Her research examines social-environmental interactions in the face of environmental change, particularly in the American West. Over the past 20 years, her work has focused primarily on household and community response to wildfire risk. In recent years, her work has prioritized collaborative research practices that yield actionable data and insights for those working at the forefront of wildfire risk mitigation in the wildland-urban interface. She earned her PhD in sociology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. She was an Environmental Protection Agency Science to Achieve Results (STAR) fellow, a science and technology policy fellow at the National Academy of Sciences, and a postdoctoral fellow in the Climate Science and Applications Program at the National Center for Atmospheric Research. More on Hannah\u2019s research can be found here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wildfireresearchcenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/image-2.png\")
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Dana Coelho is currently the Urban & Community Forestry Program Manager for the Colorado State Forest Service and has the unique lens of having worked for a nonprofit (Metro Denver Nature Alliance), the federal government (USDA Forest Service) and the state (Colorado State Forest Service). Dana provides the WiR\u0113 Center with strategic direction related to new\u00a0collaborations and funding opportunities.
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Lilia Falk is the Director of Finance, Agreements and Human Resources at the West Region Wildfire Council (WRWC), a collaborative, interagency organization that works to promote wildfire preparedness, prevention, and mitigation education across six Colorado counties. Since 2011, Lilia has worked with WRWC staff and partners across the region and state to further programs, and leverage resources that lead to increased community wildfire adaptation. She is also the current Treasurer of Fire Adapted Colorado and has served as a Director for the Montrose Fire Protection District since 2014. Prior to joining the WRWC, Lilia worked in emergency management for the Westminster Fire Department. Lilia holds a Bachelor\u2019s Degree in Geography with an emphasis in natural hazards from the University of Colorado, Boulder. More on Lilia\u2019s work can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n
Jamie Gomez is the Executive Director of the West Region Wildfire Council (WRWC), a collaborative, interagency organization that works to promote wildfire preparedness, prevention, and mitigation education across six Colorado counties. Jamie first began working with WRWC in 2013. He has a diverse background in natural resource science and management and has worked in several capacities to assist landowners and managers develop and implement projects that serve to improve conditions while meeting landowner goals. Jamie received a Bachelor\u2019s of Science Degree in Environmental Biology from Fort Lewis College and maintains a sincere interest in wildfire ecology and natural resource conservation. More on Jamie\u2019s work can be found here<\/a>. <\/p>\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wildfireresearchcenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/image-1.png\")
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Hollis Hope is an expert in nonprofit governance and has recently served on the Board of Directors for the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education.\u00a0She brings her expertise in management of nonprofit organizations to support WiR\u0113 Center administrative policy development including the transition to employees in 2022.
<\/p>\r\n\r\nWiR\u0113 Advisory Committee<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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Chris Barth is a Fire Mitigation Specialist for the Bureau of Land Management - Montana\/Dakotas Fire & Aviation Management. He works with the public, internal and external partners, elected officials, and the media to communicate fire management strategies and disaster response, planning, and fire adaptation concepts. Chris has received several national awards for his work to reduce community wildfire risk. Chris has worked in fire management for more than 30 years. He is a Public Information Officer (PIO) on a Type 1 incident management team. As a PIO, Chris\u2019 communication style is shaped by his operational, professional, and research experiences.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wildfireresearchcenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/patty-champ-300x300.jpg\")
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Patty Champ is an economist in the Human Dimensions Program at the U.S. Forest Service\u2019s Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) in Fort Collins, CO. She has been with RMRS since 1994. Patty\u2019s research focuses on three aspects of wildfire: wildland-urban interface (WUI) homeowners\u2019 risk mitigating behaviors, the economic costs of exposure to wildfire smoke, and the effects of wildfire risk on home sales prices. In addition to wildfire, one of Patty\u2019s other research interests is in nonmarket valuation. Patty is also lead editor of A Primer on Nonmarket Valuation<\/em>. Patty has undergraduates degrees in Economics and International Relations, a Master\u2019s Degree in Economics, and a PhD from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Agriculture and Applied Economics. More on Patty\u2019s research can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wildfireresearchcenter.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Meldrum_headshot_2018-closer-300x300.jpg\")
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James Meldrum is a research economist in the Social and Economic Analysis Branch at the US Geological Survey (USGS) Fort Collins Science Center. In addition to his work with the WiR\u0113 Team, he investigates the effects of natural resource decisions, including those about fuels and fire management, on ecosystem services. James has authored numerous publications on wildfire risk, plus other topics including water resources, energy, flood risk, and invasive species. James has a PhD in environmental economics from the University of Colorado Environmental Studies Program and a BS in physics from Washington University in St. Louis. More on James\u2019s research can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\nWiR\u0113 Affiliate Contributors<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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Pam Froemke is an information technology (IT) and geographic information systems (GIS) specialist in the Human Dimensions Program at RMRS in Fort Collins, CO. In addition to her work on wildfire risk mitigation, Pam contributes to research on water quality in Colorado and assessing watershed conditions nationwide. Pam holds a Bachelors of Science degree in Equine Science from Colorado State University. More on Pam\u2019s research can be found here<\/a>.
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Julia Goolsby is a research associate whose work seeks to address environmental issues by examining them through a social lens. Her research interests include parcel-level wildfire risk mitigation, risk communication, drought planning, transformational ecological change, team science, and the production of actionable science. Julia also works with the WiR\u0113 Center to produce Center-level products such as annual reports, as well as data products including presentations, community reports, and 2-page mailers that provide residents with actionable research findings. In addition to her work with WiR\u0113, Julia also does research with the U.S. Geological Survey. Julia holds an MA in environmental communication and a B.S. in Earth Systems, both from Stanford University.<\/p>\r\n\r\nPostdocs<\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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Hilary Byerly is a postdoctoral associate at the University of Colorado based in Jackson, WY. Her research applies behavioral science to decisions about land management. She is interested in how insights into behavior and decision making can explain how people manage the natural environment and inform more effective programs and policies. She is currently working with the WiR\u0113 Team to test behaviorally informed strategies for engaging households in wildfire mitigation. Hilary holds a Ph.D. from the Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources at the University of Vermont, a M.S. in applied economics from Cornell University, and a B.A. in environmental studies and international affairs from the University of Colorado, Boulder. More on Hilary\u2019s research can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"yoast_head":"\n