I got involved in the Saws and Slaws program because I thought it was a good approach to promote fire mitigation and to fight pine beetle infestation at the neighborhood level – that’s the “Saws”. What I didn’t appreciate at the time was the importance of the “Slaws” or the community building aspect of this effort. Working with a group of volunteers to promote, educate, and organize an event has been extremely rewarding. Then you really see the best side of folks when they show up to an event and do a few hours of hard work to help their neighbors. Afterwards they have a chance to relax and socialize while looking out at all the work that was accomplished – that’s when you realize that you have made a difference!