I am writing this on the ninth day of the extreme fire events in Southern California, USA. We are in the bulls-eye of the wind and fire zone with our bags and cars packed, in case we are told to evacuate. The wind is howling, and we are all as prepared as we
can be.
Natural disasters like wildfires, storms and unexpected challenges highlight vulnerabilities, but they also create opportunities to focus on priorities and efficiencies within and outside your company. For erosion control and stormwater professionals, challenges present a chance to refocus, rebuild, enhance core business practices and strengthen relationships in the industry and the communities we serve. These moments force us to examine our priorities and improve our high-yield activities. These steps ensure that our best practices truly are best practices and not outdated systems we haven’t changed in years due to complacency. It’s a chance to create and strengthen partnerships that make us more resilient.
The key is to stay calm and focused on what you can control during demanding times. Overcoming challenges begins by building proactive strategies, just as fire disaster preparedness starts with having solid infrastructures and maintaining reservoirs, irrigation systems and firebreaks that are essential to readiness when it counts.
You should continually be developing smart partnerships and making best practices better. Situations like fires, mudslides or flooding offer the opportunity to strengthen your team by forging partnerships with arborists, landscapers, irrigators and heavy equipment operators. These partnerships amplify efforts by addressing vegetation risks, enhancing soil and bank stability and promoting fire-resistant landscapes.
Working collaboratively is vital. Alliances with local and state municipalities and utility leaders can help you with the necessary permits and protocols to assist in the efforts to maintain water flow to fire-ridden or drought-prone areas. These partnerships not only reduce vulnerability but also showcase the collective strength of the erosion control and stormwater industry.
Help educate the public. Offer your subject matter expertise and resources to help your customers and the community solve immediate problems and prevent future ones. Simple, actionable outreach — such as workshops on defensible spaces and guides on bank stabilization, stormwater management and fire-resistant planting — empowers communities to take preventative action. By positioning yourselves as educators, you enhance trust and strengthen the connection between our industry and the people we serve.
Recovery during challenges depends on fast actions, collaboration and communication. With fires, for example, deploying erosion control measures like hydromulching, sediment barriers and silt fences prevent secondary disasters such as mudslides and flooding. Partnerships with suppliers ensure rapid access to materials, while government agencies and recovery teams provide additional resources and support.
Collaboration becomes even more important during recovery. Tree companies assist with debris removal, while irrigation specialists repair damaged systems to ensure future resilience. Landscapers and restoration experts can help revegetate fire-damaged areas with native species, which stabilizes soil and aids recovery. These alliances transform overwhelming challenges into manageable, impactful solutions.
Disasters remind us of what truly matters, so focus on priorities: protecting people, land and livelihoods. They provide clarity on where to focus on maintaining infrastructure, strengthening partnerships and engaging communities. By aligning our goals and priorities, we emerge stronger as individuals, businesses and industry.
Tough times aren’t just challenges. They’re opportunities to lead, innovate and build a future that’s sustainable and resilient while protecting our communities and ensuring they thrive in adversity.
About the Expert
Judith M. Guido is the chairwoman and founder of Guido & Associates, a business management consulting firm in the erosion control and green industry. Guido can be reached at 818.800.0135 or judy@guidoassoc.com.
