The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program

FFRP is proud to announce that our very own Brandon N. Smith has been selected as one of the Center for Community Investment inaugural California Climate Leaders Fellows! This group of climate resilience leaders will spend the year building investment  and leadership skills from CCI’s toolbox and cross-pollinating thinking and work from across our state. Addressing the challenges created by climate change—especially in the BIPOC, immigrant, and rural California communities that struggle to get their fair share of resources despite their vulnerability to the impacts of climate change—requires not just advocacy, but also investment and system change. We are proud to be a part of this essential work, and look forward to seeing how this initiative will benefit our home state and promote access to forestry workforce opportunities. 

“And it's pretty amazing just making that transition from being someone who society looked down upon, you know, and now having an honorable career.” That was from Royal Ramey CEO of The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program (FFRP), a REDF Impact Investing Fund and Growth Portfolio member. FFRP provides career and other wraparound services to justice-impacted firefighters. Royal was just featured on NPR's Consider This podcast where he discussed California wildfires and the increasing need for firefighters. Tune in to learn more about Royal’s story, work, and FFRP! You are an absolute force, Royal!

Catch my interview live with NPR All Things Considered today at 2:20PM PST/5:20PM EST. I had the incredible opportunity to speak with host Juana Summers on the forestry workforce shortage in California and the wider US, and how the The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program is solving for it by elevating an untapped pool of talent: formerly incarcerated folks. In 2023, the The Nature Conservancy Conservancy reported that there will be a gap of nearly 9,400 forestry workers in California by 2028. Recent data shows that over 3,500 people were released from prison with Fire Camp experience–a third of California’s wildland firefighting personnel shortage. At the The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program, we’re setting out to connect these dots and close this gap in our state, but we know that California isn’t the only one battling labor shortages, employment challenges, and a climate crisis. We’re committed to tackling these issues one step at a time–and our work is just beginning. You can also find my interview available on all streaming platforms. Please be sure to give it a listen, and learn more about the opportunity FFRP provides: https://lnkd.in/gmHkTBWh And if you’re interested in supporting my work at FFRP, please consider making a contribution today: https://lnkd.in/ghFa2G-g

Catch FFRP’s CEO, Royal Ramey, live on NPR All Things Considered today at 2:20 PM PST/5:20 PM EST. (Or listen at your convenience on streaming platforms: https://lnkd.in/gP9TXfYf) Hear Royal and host Juana Summers dive into the forestry workforce shortage, and how FFRP is leveraging people coming home from Fire Camp as an untapped pool of talent to close the gap. Just look at the numbers and the challenge is clear: In 2023, the The Nature Conservancy reported that there will be a gap of nearly 9,400 forestry workers in California by 2028.  Recent data shows that over over 3,500 people were released from prison with Fire Camp experience, equating to a third of California’s wildland firefighting personnel shortage. FFRP is a tuition-free job training program that is connecting the dots and closing this workforce shortage gap. Our organization is committed to tackling these issues one step at a time–and our work is just beginning. 

Happy National Wildland Firefighter Day! 🔥 Today we want to honor the brave justice impacted firefighters who battle wildfires and protect our communities. We're proud to support them in build successful careers in wildland fireand forestry. Join us in recognizing their dedication and commitment and creating opportunities to transform lives. California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) USDA Forest Service

Today marks two years since I received my Pardon from Governor Gavin Newsom, and 14 years to the day since I was incarcerated as a young adult. It’s difficult to put into words the true feeling of this day—and to capture how far I’ve come over the last decade and a half. But one thing is for sure, I feel incredibly grateful for my family, friends, and community for their support. I would not be where I am today without them in my corner. Thank you. For me, today is an opportunity to recognize the power of second chances, not only for myself but for anyone coming home from prison—they are an untapped pool of incredible potential. I recently had the opportunity to speak on some of these issues on @TEDx London's Climate Curious podcast. I would encourage you all to give it a listen, and consider not only the challenges of the Fire Camp system, but the hurdles that come with it soon after release: https://lnkd.in/g6m9ECn8

Earlier this month, FFRP had the honor of hosting a convening for the J.M. Kaplan Fund alongside the Respond Crisis Translation team and 27 other fellow awardees and guests. Back in 2021, our Co-Founder, Brandon N. Smith, was selected as a recipient of the J.M. Kaplan Fund's Innovation Prize that recognizes innovators spearheading early-stage transformative projects around the environment, social justice, and heritage conservation. What's followed has been 3 years of deep support, care, and community from the Fund and our fellow awardees. This was an incredible opportunity to celebrate our accomplishments together, and for our trainees to show off what they've learned from our wildland firefighter training program. Interested in learning more about our 2021 Cohort for the Innovation Prize? Check them out here: https://lnkd.in/gA9rY4Mq

Huge congratulations to our Co-Founder & CEO, Royal Ramey!

Thanks to Bay Area Council for inviting The Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program to showcase our work alongside the other grantees of the California Resilience Challenge who represent some of the most innovative thinking in addressing climate adaptation across California’s extraordinarily diverse geography. It was a great opportunity to share our work in the community and to explore partnerships with some great local organizations as well! #CAResilienceChallenge

Our Bay Area trainees received a tour from Ranger's Oliver and Sienna at Alcatraz Island National Park during the first week of their 8 weeks with our Career Training Program. The tour included learned about the history of Alcatraz island from the Native Americans occupation on Alcatraz and the island's use as a civil war fort, military prison, and federal prison. Thank you to the Rangers, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, National Park Service, and all who made this possible.