Portfolio
Story Maps and Dashboards
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Appalachian RC&D FAC Coalition
The Appalachian RC&D Fire Adapted Communities Coalition is a group of partners in the southern Appalachian mountains, spanning across 4 states. They support and educate their communities to live with fire.
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Croatan National Forest CMAT Assignment (2023)
In May 2023, the Community Mitigation Assistance Team was deployed to assist community leaders and stakeholders within the Croatan National Forest area, located in eastern NC, to develop a plan for their community to be better prepared for the next wildfire.
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Mountain Valleys Mitigation Cost-Share Projects
From 2020-2023 Mountain Valleys RC&D, a nonprofit located in western NC, ran a cost-share program incentivizing residents to reduce hazardous fuels around their homes following a home assessment. This map captures home assessment and project locations.
Community Mitigation Assistances Team (CMAT) Assignments
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Lowman Community Wildfire Mitigation Action Plan
Boise National Forest, Idaho - 2024
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One More Day
Croatan National Forest, NC - 2023
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Actions Speak Louder than Words
Sevier County, TN - 2022
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Aligning to Action
Lake County, CA - 2021
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Greater Santa Fe Fireshed Coalition
Santa Fe National Forest, NM - 2021
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Partnering to Move Mitigation Forward
Pike San Isabel National Forest, CO - 2020
Blogs and Videos
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Learning Better by Learning Together
A blog entry for the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network about our learning exchange at the IBHS Research Center in SC. (2023)
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Storytelling Through Story Maps
A blog entry for the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network about how and why to tell stories with maps. (2022)
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Camp Grier Mitigation Workday
Six agencies across Western North Carolina gathered on December 16, 2021 at Camp Grier (McDowell County) to reduce hazardous fuels around 4 camp structures to create defensible space against wildfire.
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CMAT Ignite Talk
A quick 6 minute video about CMAT’s guiding principles for more efficient and effective community wildfire mitigation. (2021)
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Fire on the Land
Fire can be used as a land management tool to restore native landscapes. Learn how a prescribed burn is conducted, why burns are beneficial to the ecosystem, and who to contact to use this resource. (2021)
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McDowell Community Wildfire Network
Information session for McDowell County community members (March 31, 2021).
Logo Designs
Defensible Space Diorama
Testimonials
Dakota Wagner, Southeast Program Manager, Forest Stewards Guild
“Jen of Wooden Eye is a wonderful collaborator and community organizer. Whether it be putting together a brochure on wildfire preparedness or leading a group of 30+ people on a community workday, the care she brings to each project is contagious and inspires change.”
Jonathan Bruno, CEO, Coalitions and Collaboratives, Inc.
“Jen Gustafson is an indispensable asset to Coalitions and Collaboratives, contributing to various aspects of our work with exceptional skill and dedication. She has played a vital role in the success of the Action and Implementation Program, contributing to program design and strategic development. Jen’s innovative thinking and insightful contributions have transformed ideas into actionable plans, ensuring the program’s effectiveness.
As a member of the USDA Interagency Community Mitigation Assistance Team, Jen’s expertise and leadership qualities shine through. As a valuable Team Lead Trainee, she is instrumental in guiding and inspiring others and developing the highest quality reports and maps possible. Check out her latest work here.
Jen’s talent as a graphic designer has been instrumental in developing captivating visual outreach tools. Her designs effectively communicate complex ideas, capturing the interest of our target audience. Additionally, her expertise as a cartographer enables her to create accurate and impactful maps that support communities across the country.
Beyond her technical skills, Jen’s positive attitude and professionalism make her a pleasure to work with. She consistently meets deadlines and approaches her work with enthusiasm, demonstrating her commitment to excellence.
If you’re looking for someone who combines exceptional skills, innovative thinking, and a collaborative nature, Jen Gustafson is the ideal choice. Her contributions will undoubtedly make a significant impact on any project she takes on. I wholeheartedly recommend her for any endeavor, confident that she will exceed your expectations.”
Wesley Sketo, Wildfire Mitigation Forester, NC Forest Service
“Since 2020, I have collaborated with Jen on outreach efforts to inform North Carolina residents on their risk from wildfire and developing plans of action to reduce that risk. This has occurred through her involvement with the Appalachian FAC Coalition, as a recipient of CoCo’s AIM Grant founding the McDowell County Wildfire Network and then the Mountain Valleys Mitigation Cost Share program and lastly as cadre for the Mitigation Best Practices Course and New CMAT Member training. Her ability to develop relationships with Firewise USA resident leaders and other community members drove on-the-ground successes in the communities in which she worked. Her involvement with Colorado-based Coalitions and Collaboratives and nationwide Community Mitigation Assistance Team assignments for the US Forest Service only provide a deeper experience pool and wider professional network for accomplishing the goal of building Fire Adapted Communities.”
Jonathan Hartsell, Executive Director, Blue Ridge RC&D
“Jen Gustafson is an excellent planner, facilitator, and most importantly listener. She is able to identify individual or project needs and chart a well thought out plan forward. She has successfully worked with numerous communities, partnerships, and colleagues to positively impact improving wildfire resiliency across the United States. Jen's talent working with people is exemplary”
Frank M. Riley Jr, Executive Director, Chestatee Chattahoochee RC&D Council
“Jen Haas Gustafson is a true Rock Star in our world of wildfire education, prevention, and community involvement. When it comes to getting things done, Jen excels, and the quality of her work is always first class. We have worked with Jen for several years while developing the Appalachian RC&D FAC Coalition and she is one of the reasons it is successful today. Her dedication to her work is without question and when asked, Jen will always go the extra mile to make a project better than expected. I highly recommend Jen and Wooden Eye Services to help build your projects, systems, and programs.”
