Great Basin Fire Portal

In an effort to continue to promote the scholarly pursuits and graduate level training within the global wildland fire community, in 2019 the International Association of Wildland Fire (IAWF) will again be awarding two graduate-level scholarships, each valued at $3,000USD to IAWF members who are Master of Science/Arts (MSc/MA) or Doctoral (PhD) students studying wildland fire or wildland fire related topics.

We encourage applications from students studying any aspect of wildland fire be it from the perspective of physical, ecological or social science to less traditional subject areas as well: we are looking through this scholarship to recognize and support any type of research relevant to the global wildland fire community.

The sagebrush sea is a unique ecosystem, once spanning more than 500,000 square miles across North America. This sagebrush-steppe ecosystem is the landscape of open spaces and large ranches, home to over 350 species including the iconic sage-grouse, the lifeblood of rural communities, and epitomizes the west – our heritage, livelihoods, recreation, and identity.

However, this ecosystem is being threatened at a pace and scale virtually unparalleled in North America.  We have already lost 50% of the sagebrush ecosystem and are currently losing this important ecosystem at a rate of approximately 1 million acres per year due to conversion, over grazing, drought, energy development, fire, and invasive species.  

Given the importance of this ecosystem and over 40+ years of investment by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in protecting this ecosystem through acquisition, easements, and policy initiatives, it is a priority for the Conservancy to marshal our resources toward protecting and restoring this critical landscape. 

In 2017 key states from the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain Divisions came together and collectively identified an ambitious goal for the sagebrush ecosystem:  By 2030, reverse negative trends in sagebrush habitat conditions and loss, and stop declines in Greater-Sage Grouse populations, while sustaining rural economies of affected communities and building a constituency for collaborative conservation.

To lead the work towards achieving this goal, the Conservancy seeks a Program Director for the Sagebrush Sea Program (“the Program”), who is responsible for developing and leading a portfolio of strategies across the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain Divisions, including efforts in policy, mitigation, and restoration.

Since the inception of National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, NFPA and State Farm have partnered together to give communities an opportunity to apply for $500 to fund their wildfire risk reduction activities. The deadline is March 1. Use the links below to get started:

Apply for an award.
Get some tips on filling out the application.
Read the contest rules.