This Way to Resilience: Building Stronger, More Adaptive Communities
March 27-28, 2025
Join us for the second annual This Way to Resilience Symposium, a dynamic and interactive event focused on building resilience in the face of climate-change threats, March 27-28 at Chico State. Registration is required.(opens in new window)
In the face of climate challenges, resilience is not just about survival; it’s about innovation, collaboration, and empowerment. This symposium will equip you with practical strategies to create stronger, more adaptive communities.
Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of the movement that’s shaping our community’s future. Attendees will:
- Gain insights into climate resilience and community adaptation.
- Learn from renowned experts in wildfire preparedness and response.
- Engage in hands-on workshops and interactive activities.
- Connect with students, faculty, and community leaders dedicated to sustainability.
The event is free and open to the public; students, faculty, and staff are strongly encouraged to attend. Food and refreshments will be provided. A full presentation schedule is below.
Keynote Speakers for 2025
Zeke Lunder is a wildfire specialist, geographer, and founder of The Lookout. A graduate of Chico State (Geography, ’96), he has dedicated his career to advancing fire science, land stewardship, and crisis communication with more than 25 years of experience in wildfire management, prescribed fire, and fire ecology, He will open the symposium with his keynote talk, “Telling Stories Around the Camp Fire: And the Bear, Dixie, and Park Fires,” exploring wildfire behavior, ecological impacts, and community resilience strategies. Lunder was recently quoted in The New York Times regarding the Los Angeles fires and was a recognized expert during the Park Fire.
His opening talk is at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, March 27, in the large lecture room of the new Behavioral and Social Sciences Building (BSS 101). Zeke will also present at 9:00 a.m. on Friday, March 28 in BSS 104.
Lindsey Nenadal is an Assistant Professor at Chico State for Child Development. She is the author of Your Playbook on How to Support Children, Youth, & Families During & After a Wildfire (PDF), work borne from the Camp Fire in 2018 and a nationwide guide for assisting young survivors of disasters. She has studied recovery efforts and children affected by natural disasters across the country and conducted research at free, pop-up camps for children displaced during the wildfires in Los Angeles this January.
Lindsey will be joined by Erin Kennedy who is the Case Management Director at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the North Valley and played a vital role in the creation of the playbook.
Her talk is 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 28, Colusa Hall 100B
Tom Maiorana is a designer, innovation consultant, and Associate Professor who co-leads the Product Design Lab(opens in new window) at UC Davis. He will deliver his keynote, “Playing Against Fire” to examine how game-based learning can help communities prepare for wildfires by simulating evacuation scenarios, fostering creativity, and building confidence in high-stress situations. Following his presentation, registered participants can engage in an interactive experience to explore wildfire response strategies in real time.
Tom will examine how game-based learning can help communities prepare for wildfires by simulating evacuation scenarios and building confidence in high-stress situations.
His talk is at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 28, Colusa Hall 100B.
What to Expect
- Interactive Workshops—Hands-on sessions led by experts in climate resilience.
- Informational Expo—Discover resilience initiatives and sustainability projects.
- Community Engagement—Connect with groups like the Butte Resilience Collaborative and the American Red Cross.
Be Part of the Solution
“As students, we have the power to drive real change,” said student event organizer Sam Steadman. “This symposium is about coming together, learning from experts, and taking action to build a stronger, more adaptive community.”
“Resilience is not an individual effort—it’s something we do together,” said faculty event organizer Dr. Mark Stemen (Economics, ’91), environmental studies professor and longtime advocate for climate action. “Regardless of your background, your engagement is crucial in shaping a sustainable future.”
Presentation Schedule
- March 27, 2025
Colusa 100B
- 3:30 p.m. Mark Stemen: Teaching Climate Change and Resilience
- Explore how climate change and resilience shape your field of study and how to help students engage with these pressing issues in your courses. This session is designed to be informal and interactive—whether you’re looking for new ideas, a space to brainstorm, or just an opportunity to discuss challenges and possible solutions, this is the place. Plus, everyone who attends will receive a free book on the topic! Visit the FDEV website to learn more about the award-winning Teaching Climate Change & Resilience faculty learning community that brought CSU campuses and community colleges together on this topic.
Colusa 100A
- 4:30 p.m. Opening Reception - Meet Local Community Leaders
- Join us for informal conversation and social networking with local community leaders.
New BSS Building 101
- 6:00 p.m. Keynote: Zeke Lunder - Telling Better Stories Around the Camp Fire
- Zeke (Geography, '96) is a wildfire specialist, geographer, and founder of The Lookout—will open the symposium with his keynote talk, “Telling Stories Around the Camp Fire: And the Bear, Dixie, and Park Fires,” exploring wildfire behavior, ecological impacts, and community resilience strategies. Lunder was recently quoted in The New York Times regarding the Los Angeles fires and was a recognized expert during the Park Fire.
- 3:30 p.m. Mark Stemen: Teaching Climate Change and Resilience
- March 28, 2025
New BSS Building 104
- 9:00 a.m. Keynote: Zeke Lunder - How Salmon Connect the Universe
- Zeke (Geography, '96) is a wildfire specialist, geographer, and founder of The Lookout—will open the symposium with his keynote talk, “Telling Stories Around the Camp Fire: And the Bear, Dixie, and Park Fires,” exploring wildfire behavior, ecological impacts, and community resilience strategies. Lunder was recently quoted in The New York Times regarding the Los Angeles fires and was a recognized expert during the Park Fire.
Colusa 100A
- 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Resilience Round-Up w/ Refreshments: Meet Community Organizations
- Meet community organizations.
- 12:00 Lunch - Free Pizza!
Colusa 100B
- 10:00 a.m. Keynote: Lindsey Nenadal & Erin Kennedy - Community Collaboration: A Playbook for Supporting Children and Youth After a Wildfire
- Lindsey will describe her research following the Camp Fire in 2018 and share a nationwide guide she and her students produced for assisting young survivors of disasters. Lindsey will be joined by Erin Kennedy who is the Case Management Director at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the North Valley and played a vital role in the creation of the playbook.
- 11:00 a.m. Keynote: Tom Maiorana – Playing Against Wildfire: Using Games as Tools for Community Resilience
- Tom will examine how game-based learning can help communities prepare for wildfires by simulating evacuation scenarios and building confidence in high-stress situations.
- 12:00 p.m. How Saving the Planet Can Pay for College
- Free Pizza for Lunch!
Creekside Plaza
- 9:00 a.m. Chico Creative Reuse(opens in new window) Tent & Green Campus Free Store (until 2:00 p.m.)
- 10:00 a.m. Tour: New BSS Building - Meet at Colusa Hall Plaza
- 11:00 a.m. Tour: Alumni Glen and Creek - Meet at Colusa Hall Plaza
- 12:00 p.m. Thrifted Fashion Show
Selvester’s 100
- 1:00 p.m. Play the Evacuate! Board Game - separate registration(opens in new window) required.
- Come play against a wildfire in a low-stakes board game. In Butte County, we are a wildfire away from having to flee. This board game aims to help community members prepare for the inevitable situations we face in Butte County. Evacuate is a fun and interactive way to learn various evacuation strategies. Participants play as themselves for the entire game, relying on the evacuation plans they have prepared for themselves and their family.
- 3:00 p.m. From AmeriCorps to City Hall: Three Fellows Journeys
- Three former AmeriCorps members (and CSU Alums) will share how their Fellowship prepared them for their elected and appointed positions with the City of Chico.
- 9:00 a.m. Keynote: Zeke Lunder - How Salmon Connect the Universe
Featured Articles
View Past Conference Content
2018 This Way To Sustainability (PDF)
2017 This Way To Sustainability (PDF)
2016 This Way To Sustainability (PDF)
2015 This Way To Sustainability (PDF)
2014 This Way To Sustainability (PDF)
2013 This Way To Sustainability (PDF)
2012 This Way To Sustainability (PDF)
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This conference would not be possible without the support of our many volunteers and our amazing sponsors. Please donate if you are able. Thank you!