Problem: Many of Florida*s residents are newly arrived from areas of the US and the world that have long severed direct contact with the natural environment. Because of this, they have a poor understanding of the role fire plays in Florida. They resent any attempts on the part of land managers to use this important tool where the resulting smoke and ash may impact them directly. Solution: The Florida Division of Forestry in cooperation with Pandion Systems of Gainesville Florida is in the process of implementing the "Fire In Florida*s Ecosystems” program. The goal of this program is to transfer a curriculum package to Florida*s teachers that will emphasize the critical role fire has played in shaping our natural environment. We understand that the benefits of this program will be both long term and short term. In the short term we believe that the student workbook given to the children will eventually end up in the hands of their parents resulting in a better understanding on their part, while the obvious long term benefits will be gathered when the children become adults. Young people need to be exposed to land management issues, like fire ecology, so that they can be informed decision-makers and voters in the future. An interesting point to be learned from this program is that "fire ecology” is not new. What is new is the ever-increasing amount of evidence pointing to the critical role fire has and continues to play in our environment. The purpose of this curriculum is to support, not replace existing curricula, lesson plans or other conservation activities. Because Florida is so diverse, teachers are encouraged to regionalize the package so that grades 4 through 8 (the target audience) understand that fire is an issue that affects them directly. The activities presented in the package are designed for a general education audience. They are particularly suited for use by those within field-trip distance of a wildland/forested area that has burned in recent months. It is hoped that the material will provide the natural spark of curiosity, which we all harbor for things dramatic, unpredictable and unstoppable. It is the developer*s intent that this curiosity leads to a deeper understanding of the nature of fire. The future wise stewardship of public and private wildlands as well as the wildland/urban interface depends upon the development of this insight.