Episode 10: Rebuilding LA While Healing the Bay with Tracy Quinn

Shared Ground

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What happens when fire meets ocean? In the aftermath of January's devastating fires that swept through Pacific Palisades and surrounding areas, the impacts stretched far beyond charred hillsides to affect even our coastal waters. Tracy Quinn, President and CEO of Heal the Bay, brings her unique perspective as both an environmental leader and someone whose home was impacted by the January fires in Los Angeles.
Quinn takes us behind the scenes of Heal the Bay's rapid response to the disaster. When scientists observed ash coating ocean surfaces up to 100 miles offshore, her team was among the first organizations permitted behind fire lines to collect water samples. What they discovered revealed a troubling gap in our disaster preparedness: "We don't have protocols for what to test for after a big urban fire," Quinn explains, highlighting how the science of post-fire water quality assessment is still evolving.
The conversation explores the complex relationship between resilience and adaptation. Rather than simply "bouncing back" to pre-disaster conditions, Quinn advocates for reimagining our communities to withstand climate change's intensifying threats. As a member of LA County's Blue Ribbon Commission on Climate Action and Fire-Safe Recovery, she's helping shape recommendations for more resilient water systems, innovative stormwater management, and sustainable rebuilding approaches. (Make sure to check out the Commission's report findings HERE).
Most poignantly, Quinn shares her personal journey of displacement while simultaneously leading her organization's emergency response. Despite tremendous loss, she finds hope in how communities have come together, creating support networks that filled gaps left by unprepared government systems. "I haven't felt alone through this process," she reflects, "and I feel so much closer to my community than I did before the fires."
This episode offers vital insights for anyone concerned about environmental resilience, disaster recovery, and the power of community in crisis. Subscribe to Shared Ground for more conversations exploring how we navigate challenges and build stronger communities together.

Shared Ground is produced by Sean Knierim and Allan Marks. Thanks to Cory Grabow, Kara Poltor, Corey Walles (from The Recording Studio) for your support in launching this effort.

For more stories of resilience & rebuilding, kindness & generosity: visit shared-ground.com and subscribe to Sean's substack. We invite you to share your own stories of resilience at the Shared Ground website - whether in response to the January fires in LA or other situations.

Follow us at seanknierim.substack.com, Instagram, or wherever you listen to podcasts (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc).

Chapters

1. Introduction to Tracy Quinn (00:00:00)

2. Defining Resilience and Adaptation (00:04:45)

3. Ocean Health After Wildfires (00:07:30)

4. Heal the Bay's Fire Response (00:12:50)

5. Tracy's Personal Fire Experience (00:21:00)

6. Community Support and Recovery (00:29:10)

7. Blue Ribbon Commission's Work (00:36:05)

8. Insurance and Rebuilding Challenges (00:39:50)