The Valley Stewards Initiative
A decade-long partnership to build over 100 Enhanced Resilience Sites across Napa County — permanently changing how this valley withstands wildfire.
A new model for landscape-scale resilience
WHAT IS THE VALLEY STEWARDS INITIATIVE
Across Napa County, two problems undermine wildfire resilience: fuels reduction work and resiliency investments that are happening routinely but not available to first responders for response, and critical properties where the work isn’t happening at all because landowners lack the means. The Valley Stewards Initiative solves both of these problems.
A significant amount of resilience investments and fuels reduction work is already happening across Napa County — but most of it exists nowhere in CAL FIRE/Napa County Fire’s operational systems. That means first responders arrive at a fire without knowing what is available to them to slow or stop the spread of wildfire. Napa Firewise acts as the liaison that captures that work, maps it professionally, and integrates it into Tablet Command so it’s actually useful when it matters most.
The second problem is properties where the work simply isn’t happening. Some of the most strategically important parcels in the county are owned by landowners who don’t have the means to fund fuels reduction. Left unmanaged, a single gap in the wrong location can undermine an entire network of well-managed properties around it. The Valley Stewards fund that work directly — ensuring the county’s resilience strategy holds together across the landscape.
Napa Communities Firewise Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is building toward 100 Enhanced Resilience Sites over the next decade — supported by a $22.5 million philanthropic goal. With 18 sites already integrated, 148 property owners actively in process, and $3.9 million pledged to date, the program is ahead of pace on every measure.
Making existing work count
Landowners across Napa are already doing fuels reduction — but without a liaison to the fire authority to vet the work and resiliency investments, that work is invisible to first responders. NCFF serves as the liaison that ground truths it, maps it, and integrates it into CAL FIRE’s Tablet Command system, turning fragmented individual effort into a coordinated, operational asset.
Filling the gaps that put everyone at risk
The county’s resilience is only as strong as its weakest property. Where strategically critical landowners lack the means to fund fuels reduction work, Valley Steward Fund gifts make it possible — ensuring no single gap compromises the system built around it.
Building infrastructure that outlasts any one fire season
Every Enhanced Resilience Site is mapped, formally recognized by a growing number of insurance carriers and permanently integrated into CAL FIRE’s operational systems. Enhanced Resiliency Sites are reviewed annually to ensure sustained stewardship. This is durable community infrastructure — not a one-time intervention.
The only way we can effectively deal with the wildfire risks in the Napa Valley is by working together. Napa Firewise and the Valley Stewards Initiative brings together the support and strategic plan to mount an effective “pro-active” response. Combining with County, State, and Federal resources, private donations are essential to kick start this initiative and fill in the gaps. We are proud to be among the Valley Stewards and encourage others to join us!
Shari & Garen Staglin, Founding Valley Stewards
From outreach to operational integration
Every Enhanced Resilience Site follows a rigorous seven-step process — from identifying priority properties through final delivery into CAL FIRE’s Tablet Command system.
Identify high-priority properties using fire behavior modeling and landowner readiness analysis.
Direct outreach to build contiguous networks of participating landowners — the foundation of a landscape-scale resilience system.
Virtual GIS analysis with landowner of satellite imagery, parcel data, vegetation layers, and fire history before field work begins.
Professional field assessment documenting conditions, priorities, and data needed for the plan.
Professional, symbology-standardized mapping produced to first responder specifications.
All site data delivered into CAL FIRE/Napa County Fire’s Tablet Command — the property is now operationally visible to first responders.
A comprehensive, property-specific land stewardship and resilience document delivered to the landowner, along with formal designation documentation for insurance carriers.
WHY THIS MODEL WORKS
Infrastructure that compounds over time
ECONOMIES OF SCALE
Neighboring sites multiply each other’s value
A single Enhanced Resilience Site reduces risk. A cluster of adjacent sites creates a defensible landscape — slowing fire spread across entire hillsides and giving first responders the operational advantage they need.
INSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION
Built to the standards that matter most
Sites are recognized by insurance carriers, incorporated into Napa County’s Community Wildfire Protection Plan, and operationally integrated with CAL FIRE — giving donors confidence their investment has lasting, documented impact.
STATEWIDE SCALABILITY
Designed to grow across California
The workflow and standards developed here in Napa are scaling across six California counties with CAL FIRE funding — making early Valley Stewards contributors founders of something much larger than Napa alone.
WHERE WE STAND – MARCH 2026
Ahead of pace, and growing
When we launched in May 2025, we anticipated 8 completed sites in Year 1. By March 2026 we have 18 integrated — with 11 more underway. The model is working. Now we’re building the philanthropic foundation to sustain it.
VALLEY STEWARDS RECOGNITION
The people and organizations building this together
Valley Stewards come from every corner of Napa's community — families, farms, wineries, and foundations united by a shared stake in this valley's future. New Valley Stewards are welcomed at any time.
Tiered recognition is available for total gifts of $25,000 and above. Contact us to learn more.
Jim & Stephanie Gamble
FOUNDING VALLEY STEWARD
John Carey
FOUNDING VALLEY STEWARD
Napa Valley Vitners
FOUNDING VALLEY STEWARD
Steven Merrill
FOUNDING VALLEY STEWARD
Hudson Ranch Napa Valley
FOUNDING VALLEY STEWARD
Richard Goss
FOUNDING VALLEY STEWARD
JDL Ag Fund
FOUNDING VALLEY STEWARD
Napa Valley Community Foundation
FOUNDING VALLEY STEWARD
Pacaso
FOUNDING VALLEY STEWARD
David Jenkins · Philip Reilly · Joseph Nordlinger · Linda & Paul Cantey · Karen Cakebread · Beckstoffer Vineyards · Cakebread Cellars · Joe Schoendorf · Paul & Tara Heiselman · Aspen Insurance · Jim Keller · Greg Flynn · Bruce Cakebread · Jonathan & Natalie Niksa · Pamela Andres · Dennis Cakebread · Napa Valley Grapegrowers · Barb & Donald Niemann · Tom & Theresa Scripps · Kevin Coleman · Bib Fiddaman · Vern & Betty Erickson · Terrence Ford · Greg & Lisa Rohan · Harrington Family Fund · Simon Guendelman · Connected Philanthropy
Pursue Enhanced Resiliency Site Designation
The ERS program is currently accepting expressions of interest from Napa County landowners. Before submitting, we ask that you review our Property Eligibility Overview to understand what the program requires and whether your land is likely to qualify.
Review the Property Eligibility Overview →If your property meets the general criteria, the next step is a brief interest intake form. This gives our team the basic property information we need to follow up with you directly.
Submit an Interest Intake Form →The ERS program is growing. Properties are assessed on a rolling basis as field capacity allows.
Support the Valley Stewards Initiative
Wildfire resilience is a community project. The Valley Stewards Initiative is stronger because people from every part of Napa's community — not just major donors — have chosen to invest in it.
Make a Donation →Media Inquiries & Press Requests
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