The Nature Conservancy has released a short publication detailing how they formed an as-needed burn crew in the Southern Blue Ridge.
Continue ReadingWebinar Recording: Overview of Fire Weather Products for Controlled Burners
The recording is now available for the SFE Overview of Fire Weather Products for Controlled Burners webinar held on December 2, 2020. This and all SFE webinars are archived on the SFE YouTube channel.
Continue Reading2020 Georgia Prescribed Fire Council Meeting Presentation Recordings
The recordings of the 2020 Georgia Prescribed Fire Council Meeting held virtually in September 2020 are now available to watch on the SFE YouTube channel.
Continue ReadingFire Congress 2021 – Participation Survey
The 9th International Fire Ecology and Management Congress is scheduled to take place November 30 to December 4, 2021 and will have options for participation both virtually and in-person at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort near Destin, Florida.
Given the uncertainty around planning an event during this time, the Association for Fire Ecology is reaching out to learn more about preferences for participation. Responses will guide our planning and decisions in the upcoming months.
Continue ReadingEcological Drought National Webinar Series
A webinar series will be held February and March to raise awareness of ecological drought, share actions that strengthen ecosystem resilience and mitigate the impacts of droughts, and discuss research and management needs for future drought planning and preparedness. The series is co-hosted by NIDIS and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Climate Adaptation and Science Center, with expert speakers from the research community, tribal nations, and government agencies.
Continue ReadingAmerican Chrestnut Online Course
The USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station has created a free online Introduction to the American Chestnut course. Upon completion of this course, users will understand the basic biology and silvics of the American chestnut and the factors that led to its demise. The course is interactive and accessible, and qualified for 1 CFE credit with the Society of American Foresters.
Continue ReadingSouthern Region Prescribed Fire Training Needs Survey
A survey is being conducted by many regional partners to analyze the training needs related to prescribed fire across the diverse group of practitioners in the Southeast. The results will identify needs and develop recommendations to potentially increase the availability and selection of course offerings to build capability and capacity of prescribed burners.
This survey is a collaborative effort by the SE Regional Strategy Committee for Cohesive Strategy, SERPPAS Prescribed Fire Work Group, Southern Group of State Foresters, NC State University Extension Forestry, Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers and Scientist, Forest Stewards Guild, Southern Fire Exchange, and the SE Regional Prescribed Fire Council Coordinating Group.
Please complete the survey by January 26, 2021.
The survey link is https://go.ncsu.edu/fire_
North American Blueprint for Wildland Fire Science Collaboration
A recent article in Wildfire Magazine discussed the need for a comprehensive strategy to improve collaboration and capacity for wildland fire science in North America.
Continue ReadingJob: Conservation Land Steward Position, Heartwood Preserve Conservation Cemetery
Heartwood Preserve Conservation Cemetery is a 41-acre nature preserve with a natural (‘green’) cemetery on a portion of the property. The land is a combination of Longleaf pine flatwoods and cypress wetlands and has been historically managed with prescribed fire and continues to be, now balancing the challenges of the wildland-urban interface.
Heartwood Preserve is a small, innovative business with a strong environmental and social ethic. We care deeply about natural burial, Florida’s natural habitats, and the families we serve.
POSITION DESCRIPTION: The Land Steward is responsible for the maintenance, care and overall ecological health of Heartwood Preserve’s cemetery and preserve areas, working with Exec. Director to develop and implement the Conservation Management Plan. The ideal candidate is positive, friendly, hard-working, and self-motivated. This person must have considerable and demonstrable knowledge & experience in the field of natural resources & land management in Florida ecosystems.
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY: Overall Ecological Health of Preserve & Cemetery Work with Exec. Director to strategize short- and long-term planning for ecological health Identify and control invasive and nuisance exotic species; supervise feral hog control efforts Identify, protect, and enhance rare and endangered species Work with Director & other crew on Prescribed Burn program Assess & restore impacted areas (burial sites, floodplain ponds, road edges, etc.) Salvage valuable plants from future impact areas (future lakes area, grave sites, etc.) Balance of Ecological Health and Public Interaction Maintain & improve trail system Monitor and tend burial sites & high-use areas for weeds, invasive plants, foot traffic impacts Supervise volunteer workdays Work w/other staff to inform & educate community, e.g. keep information kiosk up-to-date Other programs: Memorial Program (e.g. tree plantings); collection & propagation of native seeds & plants Maintenance of prope
rty, equipment, facilities Insure that property is well-kept (driveway edges, entrance, planted areas, walking paths, parking lot) Supervise Groundskeeper for efficient maintenance of grounds Keep all equipment and tools in working order Keep facilities (Maintenance Barn, kiosk, signs, fences, etc.) clean, orderly, & secure
SKILLS AND QUALITIES NEEDED: • Demonstrable knowledge of Florida ecosystems, particularly Longleaf flatwoods, cypress wetlands • Knowledge of nuisance exotic plant species by site • Have or be able to obtain related licenses/certifications (e.g. herbicide application, Rx burn crew) • Good personality, verbal communication, and supervisory skills; work well independently & within a small team; embrace the mission of Heartwood Preserve; good computer skills
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: • H.S. diploma or equiv., plus 4 years of college &/or work experience in forestry, natural resource management, or related field. • Must be in good physical condition, able to perform all activities required of the position, including safe operation of typical land management equipment & tools. • Must pass criminal & employment background check, have valid DL, provide own transportation.
To apply, send cover letter, resume and 3 references to: info@heartwoodpreserve.com
Continue ReadingJob: South Florida Land Conservation Steward, The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is now hiring a full-time South Florida Land Conservation Steward position based in Hobe Sound, Florida. This is a great opportunity for anyone with a keen interest in field work on TNC’s preserves, conservation lands and regional partnership projects in the South Florida region.
The South Florida Land Conservation Steward (Steward) is part of the South Florida Program under the Stewardship and Field Programs Department of the Florida Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC). The position works as a team member under the supervision of the South Florida Land Conservation Coordinator, and is based at Blowing Rocks Preserve (BRP) on Jupiter Island, FL.
BRP is one of four campus preserves of TNC’s Center for Conservation Initiatives. The Steward performs and participates in operations, maintenance and management of BRP and TNC’s other South Florida preserves and landholdings as well as other conservation efforts in South Florida including the Florida Keys.
Apply by January 6.
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