Christina Restaino

Associate Professor, State Specialist

Office: (775) 336-0272
Email: restainoc@unr.edu
Website: https://www.livingwithfire.com
Address: 4955 Energy Way, Reno, Nevada 89205
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Summary

Christina is an Assistant Professor and Natural Resources Specialist, serving the state of Nevada, Great Basin, and Sierra Nevada regions. Her emphasis is on wildland fire science, forestry, and natural resource management. She is also the Director of the Living With Fire Program. Christina’s background is in applied forest and fire ecology. Her research has looked at the intersection of land management and forest resilience to fire, drought, and climate change. She has worked extensively in science outreach and communication, translating ecological principles to resource management and forest and fire policy. Christina’s work has spanned the western United States and has focused more recently in the Sierra Nevada region of California and Nevada.

Education

B.S. University of California, Berkeley, 2006
M.S. University of Washington, 2010
Ph.D. University of Washington, 2014

Programs
Publications

Programs

Living With Fire

Helping Nevadans and visitors prepare for wildfire

News & Journal Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...

Bulletins
4-H Shooting Sports T-Shirt Design Contest Show off your creativity by entering the Nevada 4-H Shooting Sports T-Shirt Design Contest! Submit your design for the new 4-H Shooting Sports t-shirt! Williams, Kristina 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Upcoming agricultural events for 2024/2025 An up to date list of upcoming agriculture events. Chapin, K., Emm, S. 2024, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Bulletin
2023 Nevada Small Agriculture Conference Tentative Agenda The Nevada Small Agriculture Conference is being coordinated by Nevada Farm Bureau members with the assistance of the University of Nevada, Reno Extension and Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (WSARE). It will be held on August 25-26, 2023 at the Santa Fe Station in Las Vegas, NV. Chapin, K. 2023, University of Nevada, Reno Extension
Fact Sheets
Agricultural Producer Stress: A Nevada Statewide Study This survey utilized the Perceived Stress Scale a widely used instrument for measuring perception of stress. It is a measure of the degree to which situations in one's life are considered by the participant to be stressful. B. Freeman, L. Chichester, A. Osborne, M. Minter, B. Gorsakul 2022, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-22-01
Animal Care: Tips for youth communicating with the public Animal care is what it says, providing care for an animal. Responsible livestock producers provide the best care and treatment for their animals, ensure they are receiving high quality feed, fresh clean cool water and appropriate shelter, quick treatment if ill, and low-stress handling when necessary. L. Chichester 2022, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS 17-00
Animal Care Animal well being, animal care, animal welfare, animal husbandry, animal rights. What's the difference. L. Chichester & K. Dam 2022, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-18-09
Community Assets for Douglas County, Nevada The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. M. Rebori, J. Lednicky, B. Borden, L. Chichester 2022, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-22-07
Economic Characteristics for Douglas County, Nevada The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. B. Borden, J. Lednicky, L. Chichester 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Industry Top Performers for Douglas County, Nevada The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. B. Borden, J. Lednicky, L. Chichester 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Land Use and Fiscal Characteristics for Douglas County, Nevada The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. B. Borden, J. Lednicky, L. Chichester 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Social Characteristics for Douglas County, Nevada The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. B. Borden, J. Lednicky, L. Chichester 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Demographic Characteristics for Douglas County, Nevada The project focuses on providing Nevada’s counties, state and federal agencies, and their partners with quantitative and qualitative baseline data and analyses to better understand the counties’ demographic, social, economic, fiscal, and environmental characteristics, trends, and impacts. B. Borden,J. Lednicky, L. Chichester 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Best Management Practices for Livestock and Equine during Wildfire Smoke Events The intent of this article is to provide recommendations for best management practices for livestock and equine owners during wildfire smoke events. Some of these recommendations may not be applicable to owners of large quantities of livestock and/or equine. Chichester, L, Kay, M., Roice-Gomes, J., Allen, M., Taylor, L. Emm, S. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-10
Best management practices for livestock and equine during wildfire smoke events Wildfire can be an important tool in maintaining diverse and healthy ecosystems. However, wildfires can also increase greenhouse gas emissions, devastate ecosystems, and decimate animal populations and their habitats, along with homes and other structures, creating hazardous health impacts on humans and animals. L. Chichester, M. Kay, J. Roice-Gomes, M. Allen, L. Taylor, S. Emm 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-10
Nevada 4-H Annual Survey Summary Report - 2020 Annual survey of Nevada youth regarding their 4-H experiences Maio, H., Chvilicek, S., Luckey, B., Evans, W., Stark, C., Chichester, L., Baker-Tingey, J. 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-94
Nevada 4-H Annual Survey Summary Report 2018 youth survey on their 4-H experiences J. Baker-Tingey, B. Luckey, W. Evans, C. Stark, S. Chvilicek, L. Chichester, A. Hernandez 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno FS-20-31
Navigating Online Program Delivery With Zoom Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic This publication will explore how four faculty moved their programming online to meet both programmatic and clientele needs. L. Chichester, S. Emm, H. Kratsch, C. Restaino 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-29
Animal Care: Tips for communicating with the public Youth livestock exhibitors should be aware that the public will develop opinions about production agriculture based on what they see, hear and perceive at livestock shows, fairs and exhibitions. Chichester, L. & Dam, K. 2018, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-18-09
Informational Publications
Nevada 4-H Shooting Sports Policies and Procedures This is the updated policies and procedures manual for 4-H Shooting Sports for 2025. Wright, H 2025, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Journals
Nevada's Beginning Farmer and Rancher Program: 13 Years of Evolution Nevada has a dynamic and evolving group of beginning farmers and ranchers that have been assisted by the University of Nevada, Reno Extension service with support from the United States Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. This article Emm, S., Bishop, C. & Chichester, L. 2024, Journal of NACAA, VOLUME 17, ISSUE 2, ISSN 2158-9429
Death by a Thousand Cuts": Agriculture Producer Resiliency in the Western United States Freeman, B., Grocke-Dewey, M. U., Chichester, L., Breeding, K., Stallones, L., & Minter, M. 2023, Journal of Agromedicine, 29(1), 66–79
Lay or Popular Publications
Women in science: a Q&A with CABNR pet food mercury researchers Professor Gustin and fellow researchers Chichester, Dunham-Cheatham, Luippold and Vargas-Estrada talk about their work and answer related questions Gustin, M.S., Chichester, L., Dunham-Cheatham, S., Luippold, A., and Vargas Estrada M. 2019, Nevada Today
Special Publications
Douglas County Needs Assessment The purpose of this study was to determine the needs of Douglas County citizens. The results then could serve as educational and programmatic foci in the years to come. This Douglas County Needs Assessment was conducted in conjunction with Carson City/Storey County. L. M. Chichester, L. K. Taylor, W. P. Evans, K. N. Russell 2022, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-20-15
Nevada Economic Assessment Project Socioeconomic Baseline Report for Douglas County This report will be used by local, state, and federal agencies as a tool for future planning, aiming to assist the communities of Nevada. It will help readers understand their community’s social, demographic, economic, and environmental trends. B. Borden, J. Lednicky, M. Rebori, L. Chichester 2021, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Douglas County Needs Assessment The purpose of this study was to determine the needs of Douglas County citizens. The results then could serve as educational and programmatic foci in the years to come. Chichester, L., Taylor, L., Evans, B., & Russell, K. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-20-15
Climate Science Readiness and Training Needs of Nevada Extension Professionals Special publication that evaluates the needs and institutional desires for incorporating climate change information into existing Extension programming. Includes assessment of attitudes, perceived knowledge levels, current efforts to address climate change and the need for training. Kratsch, H., Cobourn, J., Chichester, L. and Ormerod, K. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, SP-20-08
Facebook for Extension Professionals Universities, colleges and Cooperative Extensions around the country use social media to reach constituents with instructional, research and outreach messages. When Extension professionals participate on social networks, members of the public have access to news and information from valued, trusted and credible sources. And, when Extension professionals engage with them, online networks provide interactive, genuine and far-reaching communities that keep Extension professionals current and connected to issues or concerns of the general public and present opportunities for collaboration and scientific inspiration. While these opportunities are found in various social networks, this publication focuses on Facebook. It includes information on platform selection and use, maintaining a professional and personal balance, social license, accessibility, responding to criticism with professionalism, and more. Andrews, A. and Chichester, L. 2018, Extension