Workshop | lincolncountycd

For more information please contact:

Maurice Robinette (509) 869-1182

Roots of Resilience and Lazy R Ranch to Host Wildfire Management Workshop

Medical Lake, Wash. — In August of 2023, the Gray Fire burned 10,000 acres of urban/suburban/rural interface west of Spokane, WA. Over half the Lazy R Ranch, the learning site for Roots of Resilience, was burned in the fire.

Roots of Resilience, in collaboration with Lazy R Ranch, is proud to announce a comprehensive workshop, “Tame the Flames,” aimed at educating and demonstrating effective wildfire management strategies through grazing and forestry practices. Scheduled for June 22-23, this event will gather experts and stakeholders to share insights, strategies, and practical demonstrations on wildfire management. Over the two days, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with prominent speakers from various organizations, including:

Mayor Terri Cooper of Medical Lake
Cody Rohrbach, District 3 Fire Chief
Guy Gifford, Department of Natural Resources (DNR), presenting fuel reduction programs.
Garth Davis from the Spokane Conservation District (SCD) presenting on the Firewise program.
Dale Swedberg, representing the Washington Prescribed Burning Council (WPBC), discussing prescribed burning techniques
Colin Sternagel, of the Cascadia Prescribed Burning Association
Tip Hudson, WSU Extension Beef Specialist, Ecological impacts of wildfire
Craig Madsen, from Healing Hooves, focusing on vegetation management with goats.
Sandra Matheson from Roots of Resilience, presenting on Holistic Management
Beth Robinette and Maurice Robinette, from Lazy R Ranch, will discuss fire impacts and regeneration efforts.

The second day of the workshop, June 23, will include a field trip to Lazy R Ranch, which was burned in the 2023 Gray Fire. Participants will witness firsthand the regeneration of burned ground through high-intensity short-duration grazing, as well as mitigating future fire risk through planned grazing.

Registration is priced at $175. Additional ranch employees or family members can register at a discounted rate of $125. A limited number of scholarships for ranchers and farmers are available (Contact Maurice for availability (509) 869-1182. Lunch will be provided on the first day of the workshop, which will be held at 620 N Stanley, Medical Lake from 8:30 am- 4:00 pm. The second day of the workshop will be held at the Lazy R Ranch, near Clear Lake, from 9:00 am- 12:00 pm (breakfast provided).

"We are excited to bring together experts and practitioners in wildfire management to share valuable insights and strategies," said Beth Robinette of Roots of Resilience. "This workshop aims to empower individuals and communities with the knowledge and tools necessary to mitigate the risks posed by wildfires."

“I’ve lived with the risk of fire my whole life here. We always knew we were waiting for the inevitable. But even with planning and preparation, being in a disaster like that is really hard. We want to share what we’ve experienced and make the community stronger,” added Maurice Robinette, owner/operator of the Lazy R Ranch.

Registration for the workshop is now open. To secure your spot and for more information, please visit https://rootsofresilience.org/fire-resilience-workshop

About Roots of Resilience: Roots of Resilience is a collaborative initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable and resilient practices for the restoration of global grasslands. Visit their website to learn more about their mission and initiatives.

About Lazy R Ranch: Lazy R Ranch, nestled in the scenic Channeled Scablands west of Spokane, WA, is a fourth-generation family-owned enterprise specializing in 100% grassfed and finished beef. Explore Lazy R Ranch's offerings further on their website.