This Way to Resilience Symposium

Symposium Director
Mark Stemen

Symposium Coordinator
Kenna Hazel

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Symposium Schedule

The second annual This Way to Resilience symposium is more than an event—it’s a call to action. In the face of climate challenges, resilience is not just about survival; it’s about innovation, collaboration, and empowerment. Join us March 27-28 at Chico State to gain the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to help shape a stronger, more adaptive future.

The event is free and open to the public; students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend. Admission includes food and refreshments. Registration is required.

Thursday, March 27, 2025
All Events Scheduled in Succession.

Drop-In Workshop

3:30 p.m. - Mark Stemen: Teaching Climate Change and Resilience
Colusa 100B
  • 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.

Opening Reception

4:30 p.m. - Meet Local Community Leaders
Colusa 100A
  • Join us for informal conversation and social networking with local community leaders. 

Keynote: Zeke Lunder

6:00 p.m. - Telling Better Stories Around the Camp Fire
New BSS Building 101
  • 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. 

Friday, March 28, 2025
Some Events Scheduled Concurrently.

Keynote: Zeke Lunder

9:00 a.m. - How Salmon Connect the Universe
New BSS Building 104
  • 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. 

Resilience Round-Up Expo

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Stop by anytime!
Colusa 100A

Chico Creative Reuse & Free Store

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Stop by anytime!
Creekside Plaza
  • We will have a creative reuse tent and green campus free store.

Keynote: Lindsey Nenadal & Erin Kennedy

10:00 a.m. - How to Support Children, Youth, and Families During & After a Wildfire
Colusa 100B
  • 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.
  • Lindsey is an assistant professor in Chico State’s Child Development Department. 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. She recently conducted research at free, pop-up camps for children displaced during the wildfires in Los Angeles in January.

Tours - Meet at Colusa Hall Plaza

10:00 a.m. - New BSS Building
11:00 a.m. - Alumni Glen and Creek

Keynote: Tom Maiorana 

11:00 a.m. - Playing Against Wildfire: Using Games as Tools for Community Resilience
Colusa 100B
  • Tom will examine how game-based learning can help communities prepare for wildfires by simulating evacuation scenarios and building confidence in high-stress situations.
  • Tom 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 with 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. 

Free Lunch: Pizza!

12:00 p.m. - How Saving the Planet Can Pay for College
Colusa 100A

Fashion Show

12:00 p.m. - Thrifted Fashion Show
Creekside Plaza

Evacuate! Board Game

1:00 p.m. - Play the Evacuate! board game.
Selvester's 100 - 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.

AmeriCorps

3:00 p.m. - From AmeriCorps to City Hall: Three Fellows Journeys
Selvester's 100

  • 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.