Whitebark Institute is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Community Directed Grant Program, made possible through generous support from Edison International. This year’s awardees represent a diverse range of community-driven initiatives focused on wildfire resilience and community preparedness across the Eastern Sierra.
The Community Directed Grant Program empowers local organizations, agencies, and community groups by providing financial support for projects that reduce wildfire risk, enhance ecological resilience, and foster collaboration. Through this initiative, Whitebark Institute aims to support efforts that align with regional priorities and address critical landscape and community needs. Eligible programs and projects focus on wildfire prevention, mitigation, response, and recovery in high-fire-risk areas within Southern California Edison’s service area.
“We are proud to support these innovative and community-led projects that contribute to wildfire resilience and land stewardship in the Eastern Sierra,” said Laura Beardsley, Executive Director at Whitebark Institute. “These grant recipients are making a tangible impact in their communities, and we are excited to see their projects come to life.”
The 2025 awardees include:
Fire Response Infrastructure & Equipment
- Aspendell South Fork Fire Department
- Bridgeport Fire Protection District
- Lee Vining Fire Protection District
- Long Valley Fire Protection District
- Mono City Fire Protection District
- Wheeler Crest Fire Protection District
Wildfire Mitigation & Vegetation Management
- 40 Acres Fire Safe Council
- Big Pine Community Association
- Mustang Mesa Community Services District
- Valley Outdoors
Defensible Space & Home Hardening
- Aspen Springs Firewise
- Aspendell South Fork Firewise
- Mammoth Lakes Fire Protection District
- Mono City Firewise-Mono Basin Fire Safe Council
- Sunny Slopes Firewise
- Twin Lakes Property Owners Association
- Wheeler Crest Fire Safe Council
Whitebark Institute extends special thanks to Mono County Wildfire Coordinator, Wendilyn Grasseschi and Inyo County Wildfire Coordinator, Kristen Pfeiler for their support in assisting applicants and fostering collaboration throughout this process.