Sponsorship Invitation:

Supporting the Design for Wildfire school

A Pioneering School for a Global Challenge

In response to the growing global challenge of wildfire resilience, the Design for Wildfire school, launching in 2025, presents an unprecedented opportunity for organisations to contribute to the development of nature-inspired architectural and urban design solutions for fire-prone residential and commercial neighbourhoods. The institution will serve as a pioneering hybrid virtual and pop-up school, integrating cutting-edge research, field-based education, and transdisciplinary collaboration.

Wildfires, exacerbated by factors including climate change and urbanisation of wildlands, pose significant risks to those living at the interface of wild and urban lands. This initiative seeks to revolutionise the ways in which we design, build, and plan for wildfire resilience by drawing inspiration from ecosystems that have evolved to coexist with fire. By equipping students and professionals from across industry, government, and academia with the knowledge and tools to develop adaptive, sustainable solutions, the school stands at the frontier of research and education.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Organisations seeking to demonstrate leadership in sustainability and resilience can engage with the Design for Wildfire school through a variety of sponsorship opportunities:

1/ Sponsoring Educational Content

• Digital and Printed Course Materials: Support the development of cutting-edge educational resources, including e-books, research papers, case studies, and technical guides, ensuring accessibility for a global audience.

• Public Lectures and Open Learning Materials: Facilitate the dissemination of knowledge to broader communities, fostering public engagement and awareness of nature-inspired wildfire resilience strategies.

• Specialised Research Publications: Underwrite the production of high-impact research reports that advance best practices in wildfire-adaptive architecture, engineering, and urban planning.

2/ Field-Based Learning and Equipment

• Field Trip Sponsorship: Enable immersive, on-location learning experiences in fire-prone regions, equipping students with practical insights into wildfire ecology and resilience.

• Specialist Equipment Provision: Fund essential tools and technologies, including remote sensing instruments, environmental monitoring devices, and fire-resilience modelling and design soft and hardware to support hands-on research and experimentation.

• Nomadic Learning Infrastructure: Invest in the development of pop-up educational hubs that facilitate real-world, interdisciplinary learning experiences across diverse environments.

3/ Supporting Student Participation

• Scholarships and Bursaries: Provide financial support for students from diverse backgrounds, ensuring equitable access to this critical education.

• Corporate Fellowships: Sponsor industry professionals seeking to upskill in nature-inspired wildfire resilience, creating opportunities for knowledge transfer and sector-wide impact.

• Internship and Mentorship Programmes: Collaborate with the school to provide hands-on experience and guidance to emerging experts in wildfire-adaptive design.

4/ Investing in Research and Development

• Applied Research Sponsorship: Fund investigative projects exploring bio-inspired materials, urban planning methodologies, and engineering solutions tailored to wildfire-prone landscapes.

• Technology Innovation Partnerships: Collaborate on the development of new nature-inspired wildfire detection, mitigation, and response systems, leveraging advancements in AI, remote sensing, and material science.

• Integration of the Panarchistic Codex®: Support research into building codes and urban planning strategies that align with the dynamics of fire regimes.

5/ Institutional and Facility Support

• Sponsoring Learning Spaces: Contribute to the establishment of temporary and permanent facilities for research, workshops, and collaborative initiatives.

• Collaborative Partnerships with Universities and Research Institutions: Strengthen the network of experts working at the intersection of fire science, ecology, engineering, and design.

• Residencies: Invest in seminal research dedicated to advancing the field of wildfire-adaptive architecture and planning.

Why Sponsor the Design for Wildfire school?

By sponsoring this initiative, organisations will:

• Demonstrate Leadership in Sustainability: Position themselves at the forefront of environmental and societal resilience, aligning with global sustainability goals.

• Gain Access to Pioneering Research: Engage with thought leaders and cutting-edge innovations shaping the future of wildfire adaptation.

• Enhance Corporate Reputation: Showcase commitment to climate resilience through association with the seminal nature-inspired design for wildfire programme.

• Foster Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Connect with researchers, architects, designers, and industry experts working on integrated solutions for fire-prone regions.

Join Us in Building a Resilient Future

We invite corporate sponsors, philanthropic foundations, and research institutions to be part of this groundbreaking initiative. Your support will enable the development of a new generation of professionals equipped to address one of the most complex challenges of our time.

To explore sponsorship opportunities, please get in touch through the contact form below. We welcome the opportunity to discuss how your organisation can contribute to shaping a more resilient future through this transformative educational programme.

Yours in resilience and renewal,

Melissa Sterry

Founder, Design for Wildfire school

Reimagining Resilience through Nature-Inspired Design