Regional Priority Plan (RPP) for Wildfire Resilience
Building a More Resilient San Diego County—Together
The Regional Priority Plan (RPP) is a collaborative, countywide effort to identify, prioritize, and advance projects that reduce wildfire risk, improve forest health, and strengthen community resilience across San Diego County.
Led by the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County (RCDGSDC) in partnership with the Fire Safe Council of San Diego County (FSCSDC), the RPP builds on and complements Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) by helping translate local priorities into actionable, fundable projects at a regional scale.
Together, we bring agencies, tribes, nonprofits, land managers, and community leaders into a coordinated process to align priorities and move critical projects from concept to implementation.
Why the RPP Matters
San Diego County’s landscapes are diverse, interconnected, and increasingly vulnerable to wildfire. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated, cross-boundary solutions that reflect both local needs and regional priorities.
The RPP helps to:
- Advance priorities identified in CWPPs and local planning efforts
- Identify and elevate priority projects across jurisdictions and land ownerships
- Align partners around shared goals and strategies
- Connect projects to funding and technical assistance opportunities
- Support implementation of landscape-scale wildfire resilience efforts
- Increase visibility of regional needs and readiness to funders and decision-makers
A Collaborative Regional Approach
The RPP is not a top-down plan—it is built from the ground up, informed by partners working across San Diego County’s diverse landscapes and communities.
Through this effort, RCDGSDC and FSCSDC serve as a regional backbone, helping to:
- Facilitate coordination across a broad network of partners including agencies, tribes, nonprofits, and community groups
- Support the development and implementation of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs)
- Bridge local priorities with regional and statewide initiatives
- Advance both community-scale and landscape-scale solutions
To learn more about CWPPs, Fire Safe Councils, and community-level wildfire planning efforts, visit: https://firesafesdcounty.org
Stay Connected:
We will continue to share updates, funding opportunities, and insights as the Regional Priority Plan evolves.
If you have questions or would like to discuss a project idea, contact:
brian.gallagher@rcdsandiego.org or heather.cady@rcdsandiego.org
The first iteration of San Diego County's Regional Priority Plan was published in March 2023; you can read it below:
In 2026, we are building upon the 2023 Regional Priority Plan (RPP) to deliver an updated San Diego County RPP. The updated 2026 San Diego County RPP will strengthen cross-boundary partnerships, elevate community and Tribal priorities, and position projects for state and federal funding opportunities.
Regional Leverage - This plan strengthens our collective ability to compete for state and federal funding.
Implementation Focus - This is not just a planning document; it drives real projects.
Equity & Inclusion - We are intentionally centering: Tribal leadership, underserved communities, and workforce development.
All-Lands Approach - Wildfire does not respect boundaries and our solutions cannot either.
Mutual Benefit - Participation gives partners access to technical support, support with funding positioning, visibility, and strategic alignment.
Project Timeline
The 2026 RPP is being developed in the following phases:
Engagement Sessions: Spring – Summer 2026
Project Submission Window: Summer – Fall 2026
Draft Plan Review: Fall – Winter 2026
Final Adoption: Early 2027
Partner Engagement
We will endeavor to develop and implement the 2026 RPP alongside Tribal Governments & Tribal-Led Organizations, Public Agencies, Community-Based Organizations, and Implementation & Technical Partners. What we offer partners:
- Technical assistance with project scoping and mapping
- Budget and funding alignment support
- Cross-boundary partnership coordination
- Inclusion in a state-recognized regional priority plan
- Increased visibility and funding readiness
- Participation stipends may be available on a case-by-case basis
With our partners, we hope to co-develop priorities and ensure broad regional participation and representation. To that end, we will host regional partner meetings, virtual workshops, and Tribal-specific & community-specific engagement sessions to discuss:
- Priority landscapes and project types
- Barriers to implementation
- Opportunities for cross-boundary collaboration
- Regional strategies
- How to submit priority projects
The first in-person project kick-off meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 19th, 2026, for all agency partners, Tribal partners, land managers, practitioners, and NGO partners.
For more information about the kick-off meeting, please contact heather.cady@rcdsandiego.org
Have a project that contributes to wildfire resilience or forest health? Check back soon for the upcoming project submission form! Learn more about what types of projects will inform the priority plan and the submission process below.
What Types of Projects Are Included?
We are seeking projects that contribute to:
- Wildfire risk reduction and fuel management
- Forest health and ecological restoration
- Community wildfire preparedness and defensible space
- Post-fire recovery and landscape restoration
- Workforce development and implementation capacity
Projects should be:
- Located in San Diego County
- Clearly scoped and feasible
- Supported by the relevant land manager and/or landowner
- Aligned with CWPP priorities or other local/regional planning efforts
- Ready for planning, funding, or implementation
How It Works
Submit Your Project
Share your project through our online submission form.
Project Review & Coordination
- Our team reviews submissions and may follow up to better understand project details, readiness, and opportunities for support.
- Integration into the RPP
- Projects are incorporated into a regional database used to inform planning, coordination, and funding strategies.
- Connect to Opportunities
- As funding, partnerships, and technical assistance opportunities arise, we work to connect project proponents and advance implementation.