California Landowners Get Free Wildfire Recovery Course

When wildfires tear through California forests, small landowners face an overwhelming question: what now?

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources just answered that call with a free online course that launched May 2. The Post-Fire Resilience program gives forest owners practical steps for restoring their land after disaster strikes.

Susie Kocher, a UC forestry advisor, has seen firsthand how much landowners want to help. "I've done research projects where I talk to landowners, and they almost uniformly want to replant, but face barriers to getting it done," she said.

The self-paced course covers everything from identifying fire damage severity to finding professional help. Videos and interactive modules walk owners through safety considerations, erosion control, and reforestation opportunities without overwhelming jargon.

The program builds on UC's in-person workshops that served nearly 300 Californians between 2022 and 2025. Those hands-on sessions combined weekly meetings with field trips, significantly boosting participants' understanding of post-fire recovery.

Katie Reidy, who coordinates the program, said the goal is simple. "The workshop is designed to provide stepping stones and educational tools for landowners, and helps them think about how to manage their land for the future."

The Ripple Effect

The timing couldn't be better. As California wildfires burn hotter and larger, vast stretches of forest aren't naturally regenerating anymore. When fires kill all the seed trees across a landscape, forests need human help to return.

UC researchers also just released an updated Reforestation Manual for California Conifers this year, the first comprehensive update in over 40 years. The free guide brings together expertise from universities, the Forest Service, CAL FIRE, and industry professionals.

For landowners wanting hands-on training, UC is hosting a Reforestation Camp June 16-17 in Mendocino County. The two-day "crash course" will teach everything from site assessment to monitoring seedling success.

Kocher remains hopeful about California's forest future thanks to these small landowners. "I do have hope that even after large and destructive wildfires, a component of the landscape has the potential to persist as a forest because of private, non-industrial landowners," she said.

Thousands of forest owners now have the tools they need to bring California's forests back to life.