This month's highlights reflect Peter Block's "Community: The Structure of Belonging," reviewed here.
Block reminds us that community is built on belonging, not just place. Our wildfire plan and welcoming spirit are tangible expressions of this. They create shared responsibility and connection, crucial in uncertain times. As spring blossoms, so does our hope for a resilient future, built on our community's strength and Block's principles. Let's build that belonging together.
We're thrilled to announce the addition of Shasta McBride to our SSCRA team!
As SSCRA’s new Administrator, Shasta will play a vital role in ensuring the smooth and efficient operation of our organization. Her natural diplomacy and digital outreach expertise will be of particular support for our mission and ensuring we operate at our best. We're excited to have Shasta on board as the central point of contact for SSCRA!
For further details regarding her professional background, please consult her work biography. Inquiries may be directed to her at admin@sscra.org
CWPP Update - pivoting to local self-reliance
Cobb's Fire Plan: Forging Ahead, Funding or Not
The Seigler Springs Community Redevelopment Association (SSCRA) remains committed to enhancing Cobb Mountain's wildfire resilience, despite a temporary pause for review while there is no definitive timeline for funding disbursement in federal grant funding from the U.S. Forest Service for our Cobb Mountain Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP). This pause, which is affecting numerous federal grants across many sectors of government, has prompted us to adapt and reinforce our dedication to local self-reliance.
Our commitment to developing a comprehensive CWPP for Cobb Mountain stems from a deep understanding of the escalating wildfire risks. This plan, listed among the top ten priorities for the Cobb Community and Resilience Development Strategy and designed to be a community-driven roadmap, aims to secure long-term forest resilience and qualify our area for future federal assistance. Even with the funding delay, the strong support from the Cobb Area Council Forest Stewardship Committee and the broader community fuels our determination to proceed, albeit cautiously, while exploring alternative funding avenues.
A CWPP is a strategic document that addresses wildfire risks by focusing on fuel reduction and structure hardening. The CWPP will be based on extensive community involvement over the next two years as fire severity risks continue to remain high. This collaborative process will encompass a thorough examination of wildfire safety factors, including sustainable forest management, local business development, invasive species mitigation, climate change adaptation, and resource acquisition.
Originally conceived two decades ago, these plans have become essential tools for counties, cities, and fire districts nationwide. While Lake County already has a CWPP, updated in 2023 with SSCRA's support, our hyperlocal plan for Cobb Mountain will delve into our area’s unique challenges and opportunities.
A primary challenge is building and maintaining a robust digital geo-database—an online mapping program essential for land use planning, including wildfire resilience. This map will display our understanding of priority challenges and our mitigation efforts over time.
SSCRA's dedication to "hyperlocal" community self-reliance is paramount. We aim to empower our community to optimize local resources while leveraging external support. Since the 2015 Valley Fire, we have been at the forefront of building our community's capacity to thrive in a changing environment. This CWPP initiative is another step in our ongoing commitment to ensuring a safer, more resilient future for Cobb Mountain.
See previous newsletter editions for more comprehensive descriptions of our plan for a Cobb Mt. CWPP.
Our Inspirations: Community: The Structure of Belonging
Peter Block's "Community: The Structure of Belonging" is a profound exploration of how genuine community is built, not through imposed structures or transactional relationships, but through authentic connection and shared ownership. Block dismantles the myth of the heroic individual, advocating for a shift towards collaborative problem-solving and the embracing of vulnerability. He emphasizes the power of conversation, invitation, and the creation of spaces where diverse voices are valued.
This resonates deeply with the SSCRA's approach to building community, in Cobb and altogether. We are fierce advocates for community-driven solutions emphasizing local knowledge, shared resources, and the importance of fostering a sense of collective responsibility, both when it comes to recovering from disaster and building long term resilience in the face of an uncertain future. Where Block speaks of "restoring the commons," the SSCRA advocates for practical strategies for restoring the natural and social fabric of our community.
Block's assertion that "belonging is the experience of being included in the creation of something of value" feels particularly central to us. SSCRA's focus on participatory planning and community projects, which aims to empower residents to actively shape their future. We recognize that resilience is not merely about restoring ecosystems or rebuilding physical infrastructure, but about strengthening the bonds that connect people.
Furthermore, Block's critique of expert-driven solutions aligns with SSCRA's emphasis on local agency. By prioritizing community-led initiatives, we acknowledge that those most impacted by the wildfire are best equipped to determine their needs and priorities. In essence, both Block's book and SSCRA champion a paradigm shift: from a culture of dependence to one of interdependence, fostering a community where belonging and resilience are intrinsically linked.
We'd love to hear of your responses to this work and how you see it playing out in the community. Email us at directors@sscra.org.
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