Life After Fire: (Re)Imagining Post Fire Recovery for Headwater Dependent Communities Symposium

Join the Natural Resources Journal, UNM School of Law, Utton Transboundary Resources Center, and the Intermountain West Transformation Network for the “Life After Fire: (Re)Imagining Post Fire Recovery for Headwater Dependent Communities” symposium on Friday, October 24, 2025 in the UNM Continuing Education Building in Albuquerque, NM.

This event will explore the legal, ecological, and community dimensions of post-wildfire recovery, anchored in the aftermath of the 2022 Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire. This interdisciplinary event will highlight emerging research, policy responses, and adaptation strategies shaping the future of natural resource management in a warming world.

Check in will begin at 8 AM and a light breakfast will be available for attendees at this time. The event will be held in the North Building of the UNM Continuing Education Center.

Registration for this event has closed. If you have questions about the symposium, please email Nic Estrada at nicestrada23@law.unm.edu.

This program has been approved by MCLE for 1.6 EIJ credits and 4.4 General CLE credits.

Featured speakers and presentations will include:

9:00 – 9:15 AM

Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:15 – 10:00 AM

“Trial by Fire: Disaster Justice and Lessons Earned,” Cliff Villa, Professor of Law, University of New Mexico

10:00 – 11:00 AM

“Changing Right Before Our Eyes: Landscape Transformation in New Mexico,” Laura McCarthy, State Forester, New Mexico Forestry Division

11:00 – 11:15 AM

Break

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

“Rural Cosmopolitanism and Disaster Recovery: The Case of Mora, New Mexico,” Manuel Montoya, Associate Professor, University of New Mexico

12:00 – 1:00 PM

Lunch Break

1:00 – 2:00 PM

“The Role of Anticipatory, Preparatory and Transformative Governance in Wildfire and Watershed Resilience Strategies” Robin Kundis Craig, University of Kansas School of Law & Melinda Morgan, University of New Mexico

2:00 – 2:45 PM

“Climate Change, Justice and Equity in the Adjudication of Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire Claims,” Brett Phelps, Attorney, Phelps Law Office

2:45 – 3:00 PM

Break

3:00 – 3:30 PM

“Analysis of the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire: Adapting the Fire Compensation Act to Address the Needs of the Community it was Meant to Serve,” Kieran Raney, Law Student, UNM School of Law

3:30 – 4:15 PM

“Incorporating Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) in Post-Wildfire Response and Recovery,” Phoebe Suina, Founder & Owner, High Water Mark Environmental Consulting

4:15 – 4:30 PM

Closing Remarks