Restoring What’s Lost: The Role of Collective Action in Nature and Community

By Caryn Wheeler Clay, Executive Director

During the 1960s and 1970s, researchers discovered a sharp decline in the number of American white pelicans. The culprit? DDT, a widely used agricultural pesticide, which thinned pelican eggshells so much they couldn’t survive incubation, nearly driving the species to extinction. But thanks to these findings, agricultural practices were reformed. 

Now, 50-odd years later, I kayaked with friends along the Upper Klamath National Wildlife Refuge, and we were graced by the beauty of five American white pelicans—living proof of the resilience that follows collective action. 

As fire season winds down, the JCC LTRG shifts into planning for the coming year. In the fall of last year, we convened partners far and wide to document lessons learned from the fires. This gathering, Weaving Resilience, marked the first time social services partners could come together, share their experiences, and identify opportunities for improvement. 

The insights and recommendations generated through this collaborative process offer a roadmap for strengthening the community’s resilience and preparedness for future disasters. Just as nature’s recovery was driven by collective action, so too is our community’s healing.

This collaborative work helps me navigate the sea of emotions I experience around the anniversary of these fires, which changed the landscape of our community. If the only way out is through, I’d much rather go through it together. To explore wildfire recovery resources, visit our resource library. To join our collective action work for recovery and resilience, email us at .

If you or someone you know lost a home in the 2020 Almeda or South Obenchain fires, please reach out for support and resources available here.

Photo Credit: Row Boat on Still Water, Caryn Wheeler Clay.