After screening his documentary Elemental: Reimagining Fire, producer Ralph Bloemers took an unusual step. Instead of just answering questions from the audience at the 2025 Inland Tree Conference about the film, which discussed the challenges of managing human communities in fire-prone western states, he asked if any firefighters or first responders were present. “There were four of them, and he said, ‘You should come up to the stage and be part of the Q & A with me,’” says PEI’s Associate Director of Green Jobs Heather Spalding. “It was great that he brought in the local experts and learned about their experiences.”
Spalding attended the annual conference to learn about critical issues for the urban and community forestry community and meet with partners that support PEI’s subcontracted work with Spokane Conservation District (SCD). PEI is developing high school courses that will lead to SCD’s natural resource apprenticeship program and earn dual credit for students through Spokane Community College’s natural resources program.
The two-day conference brought together forest landowners and top experts in arboriculture-related industries, combining lectures, breakout sessions, and a film screening. Attendees learned about the latest developments in tree management and care while networking with their peers. “This was a fantastic conference,” says Spalding. “I learned a ton, and I met people who were so inspiring and doing great work that impacts career pathways in this field.”
On day one, Consulting Arborist James Komen shared legal cases regarding trees that Washington State courts have decided, some of which date back more than one hundred years. Komen specializes in tree appraisal and risk assessment. “He gave different scenarios like, ‘If the wind blows your neighbor’s tree over on your house, who has to pay for it? The answer is not always cut and dried,’” Spalding explains. “Or why it’s important as a homeowner to have someone who is certified work on your trees, because they are held to higher standards if issues arise. He was highly knowledgeable and went into laws in-depth.”
“This was a fantastic conference.I learned a ton, and I met people who were so inspiring and doing great work that impacts career pathways in this field.”
— Heather Spalding, PEI’s Associate Director of Green Jobs
The following day the focus was on fire. Bloemers’s film opened with footage from the Camp Fire that devastated Paradise, California in 2018. Eighty-five people died, 50,000 lost homes and 18,000 structures burned, making it one of the most destructive wildfires in American history. It was intense to watch, says Spalding, especially in the beginning with footage from those fleeing from the devastation as it occurred. The film then switched gears to explore solutions.
“The film’s thesis is that we’re not going to be able to stop wildfire,” Spalding says. “It’s part of the natural landscape. We may be able to reduce it in some situations, but many efforts are leaning toward adapting homes so they’re less likely to ignite.” The film shared information about fire-resistant trees and plants, effective venting systems and affordable modifications to boost fire resilience. Resources like Firewise USA checklists were available for conference attendees to learn more after the film.
The film comes with a curriculum that can integrate with PEI’s high school urban and community forestry course. “Young people can get exposed to these concepts early,” Spalding says. “They’re not going to learn everything, but they’ll get a sense of wildfire and they’ll be exposed to best practices in the field.” PEI followed up with Bloemers to provide curriculum feedback and discuss ideas for sharing these resources in classrooms.
Last spring PEI convened a writing team to develop Career and Technical Education (CTE) frameworks for urban and community forestry. Some members of the team also attended the Inland Tree Conference and discussed the next steps. “We’re hoping to meet quarterly to continue helping them think about how to build career pathways across the state of Washington,” says Spalding.
In 2023, SCD received a grant to improve urban tree canopy and expand forestry career opportunities through hands-on urban and community forestry education programs. Learning opportunities will include summer education programs for local high school students with classroom-based environmental education and restoration fieldwork. This work aims to improve climate resiliency and public health in Spokane County and create new career pathways in under-resourced communities.
The funds are Urban and Community Forestry grants, authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act and part of a national $1 billion investment by the USDA to expand access to trees and green spaces. More information can be found at the USDA website.
This project improves urban tree canopy and expands forestry career opportunities through hands-on urban and community forestry education programs. Learning opportunities will include summer education programs for local high school students with classroom-based environmental education and restoration fieldwork. This work aims to improve climate resiliency and public health in Spokane County and create new career pathways in under-resourced communities.