REBUILDING FROM THE GROUND UP. TOGETHER.
After the Palisades Fire, residents were left with urgent questions about soil contamination, testing, remediation and how to safely restore our landscapes. Recognizing the need for a coordinated response, Resilient Palisades convened the Fire-Resilient Bioremediation and Landscape Recovery Consortium, bringing residents, scientists and community organizations together to advance post-fire soil recovery and landscape restoration across Los Angeles.
The Consortium combines community leadership, scientific expertise, and the lived experience of fire-affected residents to develop practical, science-backed approaches to soil remediation, landscape recovery, and community education. Together, we are working to protect public health, restore healthy landscapes, and build long-term wildfire resilience.
ABOUT THE CONSORTIUM
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Resilient Palisades leads community education, outreach and consortium building.
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Centre for Applied Ecological Remediation (CAER) leads the scientific and technical work.
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Eaton Fire Residents United brings community leadership and lived experience from Altadena.
Together with partners across Los Angeles, we are building a community-led model for post-fire soil and landscape recovery that can be adapted by communities facing wildfire and environmental contamination.
Science-backed. Community-led. Built to scale.
START HERE: Soil Remediation Guide for Residential Sites
Trying to understand what to do about possible soil contamination after the fires?
This interactive guide helps residents navigate soil testing, understand results, compare cleanup options, consider costs and timelines, find professional support and make informed decisions about soil recovery.
The guide was developed by CONSORTIUM, with the Centre for Applied Ecological Remediation serving as lead author. Resilient Palisades is proud to have supported and contributed to this important community resource.
POST-FIRE BIOREMEDIATION GUIDE
Want to understand the science behind nature-based soil recovery?
Created by our consortium partner, the Centre for Applied Ecological Remediation, this visual guide explains how plants, fungi and microbes can support soil recovery after fires. It covers common post-fire contaminants, soil testing, exposure reduction, treatment approaches, timelines, ecological remediation and examples from Los Angeles County.
It also explains an important part of the process: bioremediation is not appropriate for every property. Testing and professional oversight are essential to determining the right cleanup approach.
COMMUNITY RECOVERY ASSESSMENT
What Our Community Told Us
In February 2026, the Consortium surveyed more than 150 residents to better understand the challenges fire-affected households were facing and what resources they needed for recovery.
80%
had tested their properties.
85%
are willing to work with neighbors.
90%
want access to remediation.
These findings are helping shape our programming, funding priorities and approach to community-scale recovery.
SOIL CLEANUP DECISION GUIDE
Not Sure What Your Property Needs?
Every property is different. Our Post-Fire Soil Cleanup Decision Guide provides a simple pathway for thinking through testing and cleanup decisions based on how a property was affected, test results, potential exposure, timeline and other considerations.
The guide is available in English and Spanish.
Guía de Decisiones para la Limpieza del Suelo Después de un Incendio
FROM RESEARCH TO RECOVERY
Our work goes beyond providing information. The Consortium is building and testing a community-based approach to post-fire soil and landscape recovery.
Community Education
We bring residents together with scientists and environmental health experts to better understand post-fire contamination, soil testing, remediation and landscape recovery.
Soil Remediation & Demonstration Projects
We are working with scientific partners to develop and demonstrate nature-based approaches to soil recovery that can be evaluated, improved and replicated.
Research & Monitoring
Our scientific partners are studying soil contamination, remediation methods and ecological recovery to help communities make decisions based on evidence.
Landscape Recovery
Healthy soil is only part of recovery. We are also working to restore landscapes with native plants, improve habitat and support ecosystems better adapted to Southern California's climate.
Building a Replicable Model
What we learn in Pacific Palisades and Altadena can help other communities recover after wildfire. We are documenting approaches, challenges and lessons so future communities do not have to start from scratch.
Hands On Bioremediation in Pacific Palisades and Altadena
Pacific Palisades
In June 2026, the Consortium brought residents together in Pacific Palisades for a hands on mycowattle workshop with the Centre for Applied Ecological Remediation, Eaton Fire Residents United, the Palisades Forestry Committee and the Rotary Club of Pacific Palisades.
Participants built mycowattles using straw, fungi and other natural materials while learning how they can support soil recovery, slow erosion, filter runoff and help treat contaminants before they reach nearby watersheds.
If you enjoy our fun musical compilations, you can watch that here.
Soil & Site Recovery in Altadena
On September 19, about 25 community members gathered in Altadena for a hands on workshop exploring post fire soil assessment, soil testing, remediation and long term landscape recovery.
The workshop brought residents together with bioremediation practitioners and community partners to learn about fungi and soil health, proper soil sampling, contamination concerns and practical approaches to restoring residential landscapes.
Our workshop recap shares what residents explored, what we heard from participants and why continued community learning is an important part of long term recovery.
That day's musical compilation can be found here.
WATCH AND LEARN
From Insights to Action: Post-Fire Bioremediation
What is bioremediation? When is it appropriate? And what can residents do to reduce exposure and support soil recovery?
This community webinar brings together experts and residents to answer common questions about post-fire contamination, bioremediation and long-term landscape recovery.
Soil Recovery After the LA Fires
Watch Dr. Danielle Stevenson of the Centre for Applied Ecological Remediation discuss how fungi, plants and beneficial soil microbes can help stabilize or remove contaminants from post-wildfire soil.
This community webinar brings together experts and residents to answer common questions about post-fire contamination, bioremediation and long-term landscape recovery.
LANDSCAPE RECOVERY
Restoring Healthy Landscapes
Soil recovery and landscape recovery go hand in hand. Rebuilding with native plants and biodiversity in mind can conserve water, support wildlife, improve soil health and create landscapes better adapted to Southern California.
Native Plants: Healthier Neighborhoods Start Here
Native plants are adapted to Los Angeles' climate and soils. Once established, they can reduce outdoor water use, support birds and pollinators, improve infiltration and help reduce erosion.
Our native plant resource guide includes links to plant lists, classes, plant identification tools and local organizations that can help residents get started. Those points are directly reflected in the new resource you uploaded.
Help Nature in Your Neighborhood
Small decisions around our homes can add up to healthier ecosystems. This guide highlights recommendations from the Los Angeles Biodiversity Guidelines, including using diverse native plant palettes, protecting pollinators and nesting birds, reducing pesticide use, improving water infiltration, minimizing hardscape and creating more wildlife-friendly landscapes.
Resource Library
Soil Testing & Contamination
Soil Contaminant Testing Post-Fire: Check out this easy-to-use CAER Soil Contaminant Testing tool to learn what's in your soil, understand health risks, and get clear next steps for safe cleanup.
Pre-Remediation Contamination Map: Explore this easy-to-use Pre-Remediation Contamination Map to click on surviving Eaton Fire homes, view indoor contamination test results (including how lead levels compare to EPA limits), and spot patterns that can guide safer cleanup choices.
Soil Quality Monitoring Page: Worried about post-fire soil safety? Check the EFRU soil quality monitoring page for free testing programs, contamination data, and bioremediation insights from Eaton Fire Residents United (EFRU).
Bioremediation & Soil Recovery
BioStimulant Exploration Tool: Explore this biostimulant web tool to get tailored, fire-specific recommendations and general guidelines, then easily refresh your selections to start over and explore different scenarios.
MycoWattles and Post-Fire Bioremediation: Maya Elson introduces the ecological impacts of wildfire and explores fungi-based strategies, including mycowattles, to support soil stabilization and landscape recovery. You can also check out more of her work here!
Water, Runoff & Environmental Health
About Green Infrastructure (EPA): Learn how green infrastructure can help wildfire recovery by reducing erosion, improving water quality, and restoring healthy landscapes. This EPA resource introduces nature-based solutions like rain gardens, native plants, and permeable surfaces that support safer, more resilient rebuilding.
Stormwater & Community Health Webinar: Hosted by Physicians for Social Responsibility - LA.
How does stormwater carry pollution through our communities, and what can we do about it? Join environmental health experts, researchers, and community leaders for a conversation on stormwater contamination, cleanup challenges, regulatory gaps, and nature-based solutions for healthier, more resilient neighborhoods.
FEATURED STORY
FUNDING & SUPPORT
This initiative is made possible by the California Community Foundation's
LA n Sync Wildfire Recovery and Resilience program.
HELP HEAL OUR LAND
Post-fire recovery takes residents, scientists, volunteers, community organizations and funders working together.
Whether you want to volunteer, bring technical expertise, partner with the Consortium, support a restoration project or help fund this work, we'd love to hear from you.
Sign up for the Resilient Palisades newsletter and contact the consortium: