Hero Image

Lenya N Quinn-Davidson

Fire Network Director
Humboldt County Office
5630 South Broadway
Eureka, CA, CA 95503
707-445-7351
lquinndavidson@ucanr.edu Create VCard

Biography

Lenya Quinn-Davidson is a Fire Advisor and the Director of UCANR's Fire Network. Lenya’s primary focus is on the human connection with fire, and increasing the use of prescribed fire for habitat restoration, invasive species control, and ecosystem and community resiliency. Lenya works on prescribed fire issues at various scales, including locally in Humboldt County, where she works with private landowners to bring fire back as a land management tool; at the state level, where she collaborates on policy and research related to prescribed fire, and helps inspire and support prescribed burn associations; and nationally, through her work and leadership on prescribed fire training exchanges (TREX). Lenya is passionate about using prescribed fire to inspire and empower people, from rural ranchers to agency leaders to young women pursuing careers in fire management, and everyone in between.

Education

M.A. Social Science: Environment and Community, Humboldt State University. 2009
B.S. Conservation and Resource Studies, UC Berkeley. 2004

Awards

  • Challenge Award
    Presented by California State Association of Counties,  2022
  • Early Career Award
    Presented by Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals,  2021
  • Partnership Award
    Presented by CAL FIRE,  2017

Specialty

Fire Ecology and Management

Areas of Expertise (click to see all ANR academics with this expertise)

Bibliography

Peer Reviewed

  • Williams, J. N., Quinn-Davidson, L., Safford, H. D., Grupenhoff, A., Middleton, B. R., Restaino, J., ... & Rivera-Huerta, H. (2023). Overcoming obstacles to prescribed fire in the North American Mediterranean climate zone. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment.

  • Kelly, E., Quinn-Davidson, L., & Urias, A. (2023). Restoring oak woodlands through trust: Social capital and its role in successful private land conservation. California Agriculture, 77, 1-8.

  • Baijnath-Rodino, J. A., Li, S., Martinez, A., Kumar, M., Quinn-Davidson, L. N., York, R. A., & Banerjee, T. 2022. Historical seasonal changes in prescribed burn windows in California. Science of the total environment, 836, 155723.

  • Juneja Lakhina, S., Quinn-Davidson, L., Smith, B., and Godwin, D. (2022). Care, Equity and Justice: Reimagining the Forestry and Fire Workforce. Research Counts, 2(16). Boulder, CO: Natural Hazards Center, University of Colorado Boulder.

  • Varner, J.M., Hiers, J.K., Wheeler, S.B., McGuire, J., Quinn-Davidson, L., Palmer, W.E. and Fowler, L. (2021). Increasing Pace and Scale of Prescribed Fire via Catastrophe Funds for Liability Relief. Fire, 4(4), p.77.

  • York, R.A., Noble, H., Quinn-Davidson, L.N. and Battles, J.J., 2021. Pyrosilviculture: Combining prescribed fire with gap-based silviculture in mixed-conifer forests of the Sierra Nevada. Canadian Journal of Forest Research, 51(999), pp.1-11.

  • Stackhouse, J. and L. Quinn-Davidson. 2020. Is funding always worth the cost? Grasslands. Winter: 30:1:20-21.

  • Valachovic, Y., L. Quinn-Davison, J. Stackhouse, and V. Butsic. 2019. Perceptions of cannabis among Humboldt County timberland and ranchland owners. California Agriculture. July – December: 73:3-4:161-168.  

  • Stackhouse, J. and L. Quinn-Davidson. 2019. Options for prescribed fire on private lands in California. Grasslands. Spring: 29:2:12-15.

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. and J. Stackhouse. 2019. Field Report: Building a burn trailer to support your community’s prescribed fire efforts. Grasslands. Summer: 29:3:20-22.

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. and J. Stackhouse. 2019. Burning by the day: Why cost/acre is not a good metric for prescribed fire. Grasslands. Summer: 29:3:16-19.

  • Davy, J., L. Quinn-Davidson, and J. Stackhouse. 2019. Medusahead control using prescribed fire across disparate precipitation patterns. Grasslands. Summer: 29:3:5-8.

  • Bailey, Jeremy, and L. Quinn-Davidson. 2018. Prescribed fire training exchanges: training, treatment, and outreach. Fire Management Today, 76(4): 20-22.

  • Stackhouse, J., L. Quinn-Davidson, and J. Davy. 2018. Mechanical removal of Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis). Grasslands. Spring: 30:2.

  • Grantham, T., A. Laird, L. Quinn-Davidson, D. Sarna-Wojcicki, J. Stackhouse, A. Stubblefield, A. Torregrosa, and Y. Valachovic. 2018. North Coast Regional Report. California’s Fourth Climate Assessment. <http://www.climateassessment.ca.gov/regions/docs/20180827-NorthCoast.pdf

  • Schriver, M., Sherriff, R.L., Varner, J.M., Quinn-Davidson, L., Valachovic, Y. 2018. Effects of Douglas-fir encroachment in deciduous oak woodlands of northwestern California. Ecosphere, 9(10): 1-12.

  • Long, Jonathan; Anderson, M. Kat; Quinn-Davidson, Lenya; Goode, Ron; Lake, Frank; and Skinner, Carl. (2016). Restoring California Black Oak Ecosystems to Promote Tribal Values and Wildlife. Gen. Tech. Report PSW-GTR-252. Albany, CA: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. 110 p.

  • Eitzel, M.V.; Kelly, M., et al. (2016). "Challenges and opportunities in synthesizing historical geospatial data using statistical models." Ecological Informatics 31: 100-111.

  • Eitzel, Melissa; Kelly, Maggi; Quinn-Davidson, Lenya. (2015). Lessons Learned in Historical Mapping of Conifer and  Oak in the North Coast. Proceedings of the Seventh California Oak Symposium: Managing Oak Woodlands in a Dynamic World. GTR-PSW-251. R. Standiford and K. Purcell. Albany, CA, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station.: 515-520.

  • Valachovic, Y.; Quinn-Davidson, L.N., et al. (2015). Can the California Forest Practice Rules Adapt to Address Conifer Encroachment? Proceedings of the Seventh California Oak Symposium: Managing Oak Woodlands in a Dynamic World.R. Standiford and K. Purcell. Albany, CA, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station.: 515-520.

  • Long, Jonathan; Quinn-Davidson, Lenya, et al. (2015). Restoring California Black Oak to Support Tribal Values and Wildlife. Proceedings of the Seventh California Oak Symposium: Managing Oak Woodlands in a Dynamic World. Gen. Tech. Report PSW-GTR-251. Eds. R. Standiford and K. Purcell. Albany, CA, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station.: 515-520. 

  • Long, J.W., Skinner, C.N., North, M., Hunsaker, C.T., Quinn-Davidson, L.N. 2014. Integrative approaches: promoting socioecological resilience. Chapter 1.2 in Science Synthesis to Support Socioecological Resilience in the Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascade Range. PSW-GTR-247. Albany, CA: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. p. 17-54.

  • Long, J.W., Skinner, C.N., North, M., Quinn-Davidson, L.N. 2014. Research gaps: adaptive management to cross-cutting issues. Chapter 1.5 in Science Synthesis to Support Socioecological Resilience in the Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascade Range. PSW-GTR-247. Albany, CA: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. p. 83-100.

  • Long, J.W., Skinner, C.N., Charnley, S., Hubbert, K., Quinn-Davidson, L.N., Meyer, M. 2014. Post-wildfire management. Chapter 4.3 in Science Synthesis to Support Socioecological Resilience in the Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascade Range. PSW-GTR-247. Albany, CA: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station. p. 187-220.

  • Long, J.W.; Skinner, C.N., et al. (2014). Science Synthesis to Support Socioecological Resilience in the Sierra Nevada and Southern Cascade Range. Albany, CA, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station. PSW-GTR-247.
  • Valachovic, Y.; Quinn-Davidson, L.N., et al. (2013). Novel approaches to SOD management in California wildlands: a case study of “eradication” and collaboration in Redwood Valley. Proceedings of the sudden oak death fifth science symposium.S. Frankel, J. Kliejunas, K. Palmieri and J. Alexander. Albany, CA, USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station.: 99-107.
  • Engber, Eamon; Varner, Morgan, et al. (2013). "Utility of an instantaneous moisture meter for duff moisture prediction in long-unburned longleaf pine ecosystems." Southern Journal of Applied Forestry 37(1): 13-17.
  • Quinn-Davidson, Lenya; Varner, Morgan (2012). "Impediments to prescribed fire across agency, landscape, and manager: An example from northern California." International Journal of Wildland Fire 21(3): 210-218.
  • Baker, J. Mark; Quinn-Davidson, Lenya (2011). Jobs and community in Humboldt County, CA. Human dimension of ecological restoration: integrating science, nature, and culture.D. Egan, E. Hjerpe and J. Abrams. Covelo, CA, Island Press.

Non-Peer Reviewed

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. (2023). Seeing the Fish for the Fire. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/seeing-the-fish-for-the-fire/

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. (2022). California Burn Boss Program: New Path Forward or Dead End Street? Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/california-burn-boss-program-new-path-forward-or-dead-end-street/  

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. (2022). Feeling the Power at WTREX. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/feeling-the-power-at-wtrex/

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. (2021). The Fires California Grieves—and Needs. Zocalo Public Square essay. https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/2021/07/19/california-fires-fire-advisor-wildfires/ideas/essay/

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. (2021). In our Element: Changing Liability Standards to Increase Use of Prescribed Fire. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/in-our-element-changing-liability-standards/

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. (2021). Renewing and radicalizing our relationship with prescribed fire. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/renewing-and-radicalizing-our-relationship-with-fire/

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. (2020). Changing the Fire Culture: Let’s be Provocative. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/changing-the-fire-culture-lets-be-provocative/  

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. and J. Stackhouse. 2019. Bringing the heat: Fire as a management tool for California’s private lands. California Cattlemen’s Magazine. January. 50-52.

  • Valachovic, Y., L. Quinn-Davidson, B. Twieg, C. Lee, and J. Stackhouse. 2018. Oak woodland restoration: Assessing treatment effectiveness, cost, and EQIP practices. Final report to the Natural Resources Conservation Service. September 2018. 26 p.

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. 2018. Science Thursday: Mysterious mistletoe. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Thursday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/science-thursday-mysterious-mistletoe/

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. 2018. Science Thursday: An argument for heterogeneity, in the kitchen sink and in the fields. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Thursday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/science-thursday-an-argument-for-heterogeneity-in-the-kitchen-sink-and-in-the-fields/

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. 2018. Science Thursday: Poison oak, poison smoke? Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Thursday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/poison-oak-poison-smoke/

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. 2018. Science Thursday: Evolving with Fire: Understanding flammability and rethinking burn windows. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Thursday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/science-thursday-must-evolve-fire

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. (2017). Living with Fire: Toasted Ticks. Forest and River News, Fall 2017 edition.

  • Quinn-Davidson, Lenya. (2017). Science Tuesday: Burning the late bloomers. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network blog. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/science-tuesday-burning-late-bloomers/

  • L. Quinn-Davidson. (2017). Science Tuesday: Fire history is human history. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Tuesday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/science-tuesday-fire-history-human-history/

  • L. Quinn-Davidson. (2017). Science Tuesday: What's your state's prescribed fire liability law? Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Tuesday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/science-tuesday-whats-your-states-liability-law/

  • L. Quinn-Davidson. (2017). Science Tuesday: Seeing cowboys as catalysts. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Tuesday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/science-tuesday-seeing-cowboys-as-catalysts/

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. (2017). Living with Fire: Fire history is human history. Forest and River News, Spring 2017 edition.

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. (2017). Northern California Prescribed Fire Council. Living with Wildfire publication. Humboldt County, CA. 2017 edition.

  • L. Quinn-Davidson. (2017). Science Tuesday: Give input on Rx fire outreach needs! Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Tuesday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/science-tuesday-give-input-prescribed-fire-outreach-needs/

  • L. Quinn-Davidson. (2017). Science Tuesday: Toasted ticks. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Tuesday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/science-tuesday-controlled-burning-ticks/

  • L. Quinn-Davidson. (2017). Science Tuesday: Frost on Fire. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Tuesday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/science-tuesday-boreal-forests/

  • Quinn-Davidson, Lenya. (2017). Science Tuesday: Going Nuclear. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network blog. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/temperature-inversions-trap-smoke/

  • Quinn-Davidson, Lenya. (2017). Science Tuesday: Fire fungus. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network blog. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/science-tuesday-fire-fungus/

  • Quinn-Davidson, Lenya. (2017). Science Tuesday: Why homes burn, and why I'm reminding you. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network blog. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/science-tuesday-homes-burn-im-reminding/

  • Quinn-Davidson, Lenya; Stackhouse, Jeffery (2017). Reclaiming Fire: Bringing fire back to California's private lands. California Deer. Sacramento, CA, California Deer Association.

  • L. Quinn-Davidson. (2016). Science Tuesday: Mastication: Not a simple story. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Tuesday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/science-tuesday-mastication-not-a-simple-story/

  • L. Quinn-Davidson and Mathew Cocking. (2016). The living dead: why we need more snags. Forest and River News, Summer 2016 edition.

  • L. Quinn-Davidson. (2016). Science Tuesday: Back to Florida! Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Tuesday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/science-tuesday-back-florida/

  • L. Quinn-Davidson. (2016). Science Tuesday: Don't believe everything you think! Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Tuesday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/fire-science-tuesdays-dont-believe-everything-think/

  • L. Quinn-Davidson. (2016). Science Tuesday: This year's research topics from the Joint Fire Science Program. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Tuesday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/fire-science-tuesday-years-research-topics-joint-fire-science-program/

  • L. Quinn-Davidson. (2016). Science Tuesday: Why mesophication matters. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Tuesday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/science-tuesday-mesophication-national-phenomenon/

  • L. Quinn-Davidson. (2016). Science Tuesday: Rainforest or fireforest? Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Tuesday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/fire-science-tuesday-rainforest-fireforest/

  • L. Quinn-Davidson. (2016). Rekindling an old flame: prescribed fire in the North Coast. Forest and River News, Spring 2016 edition.

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. (2016). Lighting up a new path: the first-ever women-in-fire prescribed fire training exchange. Forest and River News, Winter 2016 edition. https://www.treesfoundation.org/newsletter/winter-2016/

  • L. Quinn-Davidson. (2016). Science Tuesday: Rebuilding post fire. Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network "Science Tuesday" blog post. https://fireadaptednetwork.org/science-tuesday-rebuilding-post-fire/

  • Quinn-Davidson, L. and Rank, L. (2016). Lighting up a new path: the women in fire prescribed fire training exchange. Fire Learning Network Notes from the Field. http://www.conservationgateway.org/ConservationPractices/FireLandscapes/FireLearningNetwork/USFLNPublications/Documents/110_NotesFromTheField_WTREX-2016.pdf

ANR Workgroup Associations

Return to Blog