Sheila Jackson Lowe & the Bastrop County Long‑Term Recovery Team: Cultivating a Vision of Community Resilience

When the 2011 Bastrop Complex Fire ravaged Texas’s Lost Pines region—destroying over 1,600 homes across 34,000 acres—one woman stepped forward to guide a community toward healing and self‑reliance: Sheila Jackson Lowe. As the Executive Director of the Bastrop County Long‑Term Recovery Team (BCLTRT), her vision and leadership have shaped not only recovery efforts but a proactive culture rooted in resilience (bcltrt.org).

🔥 Rising From the Ashes: Origins of BCLTRT

BCLTRT emerged in early 2012 from the ashes of the Bastrop fire. Organized by local volunteers, community leaders, and national disaster response mentors, it was founded to address the long-term needs of hardest-hit families .

Since then, under Lowe’s steady guidance, the team has rebuilt 133 homes destroyed by the 2011 fire—and has responded actively to at least five more wildfires and two floods (kxan.com). Their mission? To ensure no resident faces recovery alone—whether from fire, flood, pandemic, or freeze (bcltrt.org).

A Locally Rooted, Holistic Approach

What sets BCLTRT apart is Lowe’s philosophy: recovery isn't enough—preparedness is power. That’s why the organization partners through Bastrop County’s COAD (Community Organization Active in Disaster) to emphasize:

• “Go-bags” & shelter readiness: encouraging residents to stock 72-hour kits and plan emergency exits (communityimpact.com).

• Neighborhood preparedness: helping communities understand their risks, share resources, and reduce complacency .

• Business resilience: working with the Chamber to ensure businesses address staff, systems, and structures when crisis strikes (communityimpact.com).

Through these efforts, Lowe champions a shift from reactive to proactive — building a community that can withstand the next disaster with dignity and strength.

Impact that Speaks Volumes

Initiative	Outcome
Home Rebuilds	133 homes rebuilt post-2011 fire (kxan.com)
Disaster Responses	Fires, floods, COVID-19 relief, 2021 Winter Storm Uri aid
New Community Hub	BCLTRT offices now at Mayfest Park Community Center—doubling as a shelter

BCLTRT has become an enduring beacon of localized care: a place where rebuilding bricks meet rebuilding lives.

Lowe’s Vision for Tomorrow

Sheila Jackson Lowe’s leadership isn't only about physical reconstruction. She sees disaster recovery as an opportunity to strengthen social infrastructure—through:

• Education and empowerment: equipping families with tools for self-sufficiency.

• Collaborative partnerships: aligning nonprofits, businesses, and government for more effective response.

• Celebration and reflection: organizing commemorative events that foster unity and honor collective memory (bcltrt.org).

Her belief is clear: through intentional collaboration and preparation, Bastrop can move from vulnerability to vitality.

Looking Ahead: A Stronger Bastrop County

Standing at the intersection of recovery and resilience, BCLTRT under Lowe envisions:

1. Greater community engagement—neighborhood leaders designing localized emergency response plans.

2. Expanded business continuity initiatives—helping Bastrop companies prepare for operating under crisis.

3. An adaptable shelter and resource hub—transforming the Mayfest Park center into a multi-use, disaster-ready facility (communityimpact.com).

   
   

Ultimately, Lowe sees a future where Bastrop County isn’t just a site of recovery—but a model of sustainable, community-centered resilience.

In Closing

Sheila Jackson Lowe’s journey with the Bastrop County Long‑Term Recovery Team is a testament to the power of local leadership in times of crisis. She has led the county from grief to recovery—and now toward long-term strength. Her work transforms disasters into catalysts for unity, preparedness, and hope.

As Bastrop faces new challenges, Lowe’s vision shines—ensuring that, together, the community stands prepared, supported, and resilient.