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.

CLE Credits will be available.

Featured speakers and presentations will include:

  • Cliff Villa, Professor of Law, University of New Mexico
  • Laura McCarthy, State Forester, New Mexico Forestry Division
  • “Climate Change, Justice and Equity in the Adjudication of Hermits Peak Calf Canyon fire Claims,” Brett Phelps, Attorney, Phelps Law Office (Qualifies for NM Equity in Justice (EIJ) Credit)
  • “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, University of New Mexico School of Law
  • “The Role of Anticipatory, Preparatory and Transformative Governance in Wildfire and Watershed Resilience Strategies,” Robin Kundis Craig, Robert A. Schroeder Distinguished Professor of Law, University of Kansas School of Law and Melinda Morgan, Regents’ Professor in Geography and Environmental Studies, University of New Mexico, and Lead Principal Investigator of the Transformation Network
  • “Rural Cosmopolitanism and Disaster Recovery: The Case of Mora, New Mexico,” Manuel Montoya, Associate Professor of Global Political Economy and Cultural Economics, University of New Mexico
  • Phoebe Suina, Founder and Owner, High Water Mark Environmental Consulting

RSVP by filling out the form below.

Life After Fire poster
Parking & Location Details

This event will be held at the UNM Continuing Education Building, located at 1634 University Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131. Parking is free for event attendees and there are parking lots on the East and West sides of the building. View a parking map here.

The event will take place in Rooms B & C in the North Building of the Continuing Education Center. Registration will take place in the building’s Lobby. There is free guest WiFi available in the building. View a map of the building here.