Fire Ecology Portal

Consider submitting an abstract to this session, organized by Carly Philllips, Brendan Rogers, and Peter Frumhoff. Abstracts are due July 31. The AGU fall meeting is December 9-13 in San Francisco.
As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of wildfires, wildfires themselves exacerbate climate change through the release of greenhouse gases and black carbon. Together with expanding populations, this reinforcing cycle also leads to destruction of critical infrastructure, negative health outcomes from smoke, and loss of life. Fire management, however, has the potential to protect carbon, ecosystems, and human well-being, and minimize feedbacks to climate change and thus the intensification of wildfires. The aim of this session is to explore how fire management can interrupt this wildfire cycle, and reduce the impacts of climate change while minimizing the consequences of carbon loss. Organizers encourage abstracts that address interactions between wildfire science, public health, and climate policy, with an emphasis on those that address (1) feedbacks between wildfires and climate change, (2) impacts of wildfire on public health and (3) fire management as a strategy to limit atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations.

Overview:

This position will coordinate and enhance the on-going efforts of federal, state and private partners on the Indian Creek Woodland Savanna Restoration Initiative and the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative (NBCI) Focal Area in South Carolina. Primary funding partners include The U.S. Forest Service Sumter National Forest (USFS), the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Quail Forever (QF). This individual will marshal efforts on the Indian Creek Initiative to coordinate habitat restoration and subsequent Northern bobwhite quail restoration for the area. The primary objective is to sustain and enhance project momentum.

Biologist Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the USFS, DNR, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), QF local chapters, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) to conduct landowner outreach and promotion of Farm Bill programs (e.g. CRP, EQIP, SAFE, CSP, etc.) primarily within the Indian Creek priority area.
• Assist USFS and other entities with habitat management planning and implementation on both public and private lands (burn plans, TSI/thinning, timber harvest, timber marking, quail surveys, habitat monitoring, etc.)
• Conduct habitat workshops demonstrating the need for management of our forested ecosystems and the methods that are effective to reach specific management goals (i.e. more diversity, more quail and other wildlife, better forest fuels management, improved aesthetics, etc.)
• Collaborate and serve as a liaison among QF, USFS, DNR, NWTF, FSA, and NRCS concerning the Indian Creek Initiative. Serve on the SC Prescribed Fire Council, SC Quail Council Technical Committee, and the NRCS State Technical Committee.
• Identify, develop, and implement new and innovative habitat initiatives and partnerships that accelerate habitat efforts (e.g. corporate land holders, energy industry, pollinator interests, philanthropic foundations and granting entities, agribusiness etc.) interested in maintaining a vibrant and diverse economy with high quality of life for current and future generations.
• Seek and administer grant and other funding opportunities that help deliver the QF and partner mission priorities. Write grant proposals to leverage funds for additional quail habitat restoration.
• Administer and serve as the local contact for the QF food plot seed and native seed programs.
• Work very closely with the QF Regional Representative and Regional Leadership Team to expand and strengthen QF chapters and provide leadership to chapters on state habitat and outreach initiatives and priorities.
• Work with QF staff and chapters to use the unique QF local fundraising/spending model to develop state and local habitat delivery programs similar to PF/QF’s “Adopt a Wildlife Area” or “Habitat Share” to generate nonfederal matching funds that leverage habitat improvement on State WMA’s and other priority public lands.
• Act as the project manager for current and future USFS agreements within South Carolina, which may include Challenge Cost-Share and/or Stewardship Agreements.

The California Fish and Game Journal is looking for submissions around their next special issue: “Effects of Fire on California’s Natural Resources.” The issue will focus on how fire or fire-related management activities may impact, positively or negatively, the state’s fish, wildlife, and plant resources.

Check out this fully online course on Wildland Fire Science and Management offered by Professor Kenn H. Clark via Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

The Landscape Research Analyst supports TWS's science team in bringing spatial analysis to its conservation programs. The position has 3 primary responsibilities: conducting spatial analyses to support scientific research, applying analytical tools in priority landscapes, and fulfilling requests for quick-turnaround maps and analysis. This is an exceptional opportunity for a conservation science professional to apply their spatial analysis expertise to conservation work throughout the country.

The analyst position is part of the research team and works collaboratively with staff across departments. The position supports geospatial analysis to identify and deepen our understanding of conservation priorities and impacts of energy development and climate change by 1) conducting spatial analysis and modeling with raster and vector data, 2) acquiring, organizing, and developing spatial and tabular databases, 3) disseminating results as maps and tabular data, and 4) conveying an understanding of spatial analyses and results through oral communication, written reports, scientific publications, and other products. Analyses include, but are not limited to, quantifying relationships between diverse ecological or social data, conducting analyses of ecosystem representation and landscape connectivity, and assisting ecologists in the development and application of geospatial models.

It's time for the 2019 award nominations!

The Association for Fire Ecology (AFE) is accepting nominations for 2019 Lifetime Achievement Awards and Student Excellence Awards. The awards will be presented at the 8th International Fire Ecology and Management Congress in Tucson, Arizona this November.

Lifetime Achievement Awards in Fire Ecology and Management

These awards are presented to individuals who have made a significant contribution to fire ecology and management, and who have inspired and mentored a generation of fire ecologists. Their contributions may be in research, management, teaching, service, outreach, or a combination of these areas. Lifetime Achievement Awards are given in three categories:

• Biswell Award: Awarded to individuals who primarily work in ecosystems found in western United States or in similar ecosystems internationally. This award is named after Harold Biswell, longtime faculty member at the University of California-Berkeley.
• Stoddard Award: Awarded to individuals who primarily work in ecosystems found in the eastern United States or in similar ecosystems internationally. This award is named after the long-time prescribed fire advocate for longleaf pine management Herbert Stoddard, Sr.
• Wright Award: For those who primarily work in grasslands and shrublands in the United States and internationally. This award is named after Henry Wright of Texas Tech University.

Student Association for Fire Ecology (SAFE) Student Excellence Awards

These awards are given to students who are active members of recognized SAFE chapters and who demonstrate superior academic achievement and involvement in fire related research and activities. AFE presents two awards to students each year:

• Edward Komarek, Sr. Graduate Student Excellence Award: Named after Edward Komerek Sr. (1908-1995), one of the renowned “fathers of fire ecology.”
• Harold Weaver Undergraduate Student Excellence Award: Named after Harold Weaver (1903–1983), a pioneer in the field of fire ecology and ecosystem management.

Any active member of AFE or SAFE can submit a nomination for an AFE Award.

Nominations for 2019 awards are due August 15, 2019; awards will be presented at the 8th International Fire Ecology and Management Congress in Tucson, AZ this November.