Restoring Land, Rebuilding Lives

Wildfire relief

West LA

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Following the January 2025 wildfires, families across Pacific Palisades are receiving soil testing results showing toxic contamination—yet have no clear guidance on what these results mean or how to safely restore their land. This gap leaves residents anxious, confused, and unable to act. At the same time, youth and families are eager to contribute to recovery but lack access to trusted, actionable information. While scientific expertise exists, it often fails to reach households and schools in usable ways. Without community-based education and outreach, residents are left without tools to protect their health, restore soil, or make informed choices. The need is urgent: bridge the gap between science and action with localized, culturally relevant education and clear pathways to safe soil recovery.

This project will launch a youth- and family-centered wildfire soil recovery initiative led by Resilient Palisades and CAER (Centre for Applied Ecological Remediation). It will bridge the gap between soil testing results and community understanding through a mix of peer-to-peer education, technical support, and hands-on learning. CAER will train high school students—many directly impacted by the fire—in interpreting soil results, understanding bioremediation options, and conducting culturally competent outreach.
Resilient Palisades will lead community engagement and facilitate a series of family-centered workshops in partnership with local schools, neighborhood groups, and fire recovery networks. These events will empower residents to interpret soil data, learn about public health considerations, and understand step-by-step options for bioremediation at home, in parks, or at schools. Dr. Danielle Stevenson will provide toxicology oversight, ensuring that all recommendations are accurate and safe.
We will also develop a toolkit and establish a visible demonstration site to showcase cost-effective, regenerative landscape practices. All resources and training materials will be shared through the regional Soil & Landscape Recovery Consortium convened by Resilient Palisades and CAER, helping scale this model to communities like Altadena. Together, this initiative equips youth and families to lead recovery—and ensures soil safety is accessible, actionable, and community-driven.

If successful, families across L.A. will no longer face contaminated soil or wildfire recovery alone. Youth will lead public education efforts, families will know how to interpret soil testing results, and communities will feel confident taking action to restore land safely. In Pacific Palisades, residents will gather at workshops and demonstration sites hosted by Resilient Palisades to learn practical, regenerative strategies for fire-safe, healthy landscapes. CAER-trained youth will serve as trusted community educators, and technical guidance from experts like Dr. Danielle Stevenson will inform every step. The result will be a replicable, community-led recovery model that centers science, justice, and intergenerational leadership—scalable to Altadena and other fire-impacted communities across L.A. County. Ultimately, residents will be safer, more empowered, and better prepared to lead their own recovery efforts.