Reasons to Attend
• The Backyards and Beyond Conference offers a great opportunity to learn from those who work and live in the wildland/urban interface-
• Network with like-minded professionals-
• Share best practices used in the Wildland/Urban Interface –
• Leave with the knowledge to influence others who work and live in the WUI-
• Over 70 Educational Sessions from seven tracks to choose from –
• Special Thursday Opening General Session
• Special Friday General Assembly Presentation
• Spend time with Firewise Sponsors and Partners
• Earn CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
Conference Events
Welcome to the Backyard and Beyond Conference Events.
You won’t want to miss the premier wildland/urban interface conference of the year! And, we have a lot for you.
More than 500 individuals from fire protection, mitigation, research, insurance, planning, emergency management, and interface residents will gather to exchange ideas, share personal and professional experiences, and learn the latest developments in mitigation, organizing and conducting community activities, developing local policies and practices, and other essential skills and knowledge to improve safety and survival from wildfires!
There are more that 70 sessions in 10 educational tracks that will be offered during the conference. Check our schedule. In addition, we have an exciting Opening General Session discussion and debate planned and a Special General Assembly Presentation scheduled for Friday.
Other networking opportunities include Wednesday’s "An Evening at MOSI" (Museum of Science and Industry) who has extended a special invitation to conference attendees; the Thursday evening Firewise Conference Reception, or Friday night’s conference dinner.
Conference Tracks
Firewise Communities/USA® focuses on how communities can become Firewise, real-life experiences of successful recognition sites, how to engage homeowners, and long-term rewards of becoming Firewise.
Communicating the Firewise® Message will explore channels for communicating with fellow residents, community leaders, and the media, including how to entice the media to a Firewise event and prepare for media interviews.
Planning and Mitigation explores best practices in land use planning and development, risk assessment methodologies landscape techniques, working with community leaders and fire emergency personnel, and reducing risks and realizing benefits of wildland fire.
Environment/Ecology/Landscaping explores key issues in ecosystem management, plant and animal habitats, forest health, landscape aesthetics, and how our knowledge and experience in these areas can contribute to living more compatibly with nature.
Research examines recent investigations (completed and in progress) of the physical and social science issues of wildfire and those living in the wildland/urban interface.
Fire and Emergency Operations includes firefighter occupational safety and health, structural and wildland fire fighting personnel working together, and innovative methods used for structure protection in the wildland/urban interface.
Using Technology focuses on various technologies that may be applied to community design, land use planning, assessing hazards and risks in collaborative environments, and wildland fire management.