Lessons learned through convergence research applied to wildfire risk mitigation

– In this paper we examine lessons learned through the lens of an NSF Growing Convergence Research project addressing the pressing societal challenge of managing risk associated with high-impact, simultaneous wildfires - work requiring deep integration of climate science, forest ecology, and decision science to describe, understand, and project risk and mitigation. We share lessons learned in this application of convergence approaches, in identification of the sub-contexts in which they offer relative advantage over discipline-focused silos, and metrics for gauging success. We also highlight lessons learned about addressing and mitigating wildfire impacts in the current biophysical, social, and political landscape. We consider specific research thrusts and outcomes from our project while exploring the question: What did our convergence approach to wildfire risk mitigation achieve, and what lessons may be generalized? Our metrics of convergence progress include i) convergence findings and tools reaching and supporting applications such as decision making, policy development, risk mitigation, and public information needs, ii) development of a strong networked community of partners demonstrating mutual trust and value in outputs through sustained and iterative interactions, iii) the ability of individuals to communicate effectively about research relevance and applicability from the perspective of their own fields as well as from the fields and perspectives of teammates, and iv) evidence of two way initiation of ideas and engagement from practitioners and academic researchers.