Southern Fire Exchange

Partner Webinar: NWCG Fire Environment Continuing Education Subcommittee Fall Webinar
2021-11-10 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | GA
Planned Topics:

Risk Management Assistance – NMAC support (Rick Stratton and Benjamin Gannon)
National Fire Decision Support Center (Mark Hale/Wes Hall)
Infrared Products and Use on Wildfires (Zachary Holder and Tom Mellin)
British Columbia Fire Season (Dana Hicks)
California (FS R5) Season Synopsis (TBD)

Register with the link below:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2910899178959153422

National Extension Wildland Fire Initiative Quarterly Meeting
2021-11-09 14:00 - 15:00 | GA
Please join the next NEWFI Quarterly meeting on November 9, 2021 from 2-3pm ET. During the meeting we’ll hear from three Extension personnel about their various fire-related programs from around the country, discuss our goals and plans for the upcoming year, and more.

As a reminder, you can learn more about NEWFI here. Check out this map to see all of the awesome resources available across the country, and let us know if your fire-related Extension website is missing!

Register here: https://go.ncsu.edu/newfimeeting

Partner Webinar: Southeast Climate Monthly Webinar
2021-11-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2021-10-12 10:00 - 11:00 | GA
The Southeast Climate monthly webinar series is held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10:00 am ET. This series is hosted by the Southeast Regional Climate Center, in partnership with the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) and the NOAA National Weather Service. These webinars will provide the region with timely information on current and developing climate conditions such as drought, floods and tropical storms, as well as climatic events like El Niño and La Niña. Speakers may also discuss the impacts of these conditions on topics such as agriculture production, water resources, wildfires and ecosystems.
Register here.

Natural and Prescribed Wildland Fire Impacts on Soil Health, National Academy of Sciences Board on Earth Sciences and Resources Fall Meeting
2021-11-02 12:00 - 17:00 | GA
Climate change is increasing the odds of higher occurrence rates, intensity, and severity of wildland fires in drought-prone regions. High intensity wildfires not only denude the landscape and lower the resistance of soils to surface erosion, but they also change the physical properties of soils, alter the soil microbiome, and extend the recovery timescales relative to lower intensity fires. Rain-on-burn events can magnify multiple negative impacts, such as poor water quality and debris flows. Wildland management is at a critical juncture, requiring new knowledge and innovative tools to best support the mitigation and prevention of fire-induced hazards. The Fall 2021 Meeting of the Board of Earth Sciences and Resources will discuss the emerging frontiers in research and the outlook for implementing science-based tools to support equitable federal, state, and community responses to fire-induced hazards.
Register here.
This event is public and free to attend. More information will be posted to the event page soon.
Keynote

Tom DeLuca, Oregon State University

Panel 1: The Effects of Natural and Prescribed Fire on Soil and Watersheds

Brittany Johnson, University of Washington
Luke McGuire, University of Arizona
Kyle Blount, Washington State University
Erin Hannon, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Panel 2: Tools for the Mitigation and Prevention of Fire-induced Hazards

Julie Padowski, Washington State University
Jason Kean, U.S. Geological Survey
Pete Robichaud, U.S. Forest Service

How to Join
Instructions on how to access the virtual event will be sent to the email you use to register prior to the session. A recording will be made available following the event.

Tall Timbers Fall Field Day
2021-10-29 07:30 - 14:00 | GA
Join Tall Timbers on Friday, October 29 at Nilo Plantation for Fall Field Day! Enjoy a field tour around the property along with management discussions covering Wild Quail, Trophy Deer, Storm Clean-up and Reforestation, and Early Season Dove Fields. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
Registration costs $50. Register here.

Ladies & Longleaf 101
2021-10-27 09:00 - 12:00 | GA
Spend the morning virtually with Land & Ladies host, Danielle Atkins, learning from the best professional and experts on Longleaf pine reforestation and prescribed burning. Topics include:
• Where longleaf pine grows and silviculture – Karen Brown, The Longleaf Alliance
• How prescribed burn helps habitat – Danielle Atkins, Land & Ladies
• Cost share opportunities for longleaf pine and prescribed burning – Susan French, The Longleaf Alliance
• Prescribed burning strategies – Alexandra Ford, Georgia Forestry Commission
Also network with other women landowners across the Southeast and opportunities for LIVE Q&A with the speakers!
Register here.

Partner Webinar: Winners of the Cleaner Indoor Air During Wildfires Challenge
2021-10-26 14:00 - 15:00 | GA
Join the EPA on October 26 as we announce the winners of the Cleaner Indoor Air During Wildfires Challenge. Winners will share their innovative designs for low-cost solutions that quietly and safely reduce indoor fine particulate matter (PM2.5) during periods when outdoor PM2.5 concentrations are high.
Register for the webinar here.
EPA and its federal, state, local and tribal partners held a Challenge competition to encourage the development of detailed plans for novel, effective, low-cost technologies to reduce indoor PM2.5 concentrations and protect public health during wildfire smoke events.
Exposure to PM2.5, an air pollutant from wildfire smoke and other sources, can be harmful to lung and heart health, especially for those with pre-existing health conditions.

Zom-bees, Scare-ab Beetles, and Franken-stink Bugs: The Creepy Crawlies of Longleaf Pine
2021-10-20 14:00 - 14:45 | GA
Relatively little work has been done on insect communities in longleaf pine ecosystems and the important functional roles insects can play. Along with a little flavor of Halloween, this Facebook Live will cover insect trapping techniques, bug sorting, and the unique and colorful insects that inhabit the longleaf pine forest of Ichauway. We will make sure to leave time for your questions!
Join the Facebook Live here.

Land Management After Hurricane Michael
2021-10-19 13:00 - 13:45 | GA
Hurricane Michael hit Ichauway three years ago this month. Let’s talk about the research and land management that followed. Make sure to ask questions during Q&A!

Dr. Jeff Cannon will review some of our research on patterns of damage to the Ichauway forests and his ongoing work on wind as a disturbance in forests. Dr. Kier Klepzig will update us on his lab’s research on pine beetle responses to the hurricane damage. Our Natural Resource Manager, Scott Smith, will address “lessons learned” about salvage logging and recovery, and land management after the storm.

Join the Facebook Live here.

Life from the Ashes: Exploring the Impact of Prescribed & Natural Fire on Insects and Other Invertebrates
2021-10-19 11:00 - 17:00 | GA
Ecosystems throughout North America evolved with wildfire. Today, prescribed fire is an important tool for managing habitat by maintaining open, early-seral landscapes. Fire can greatly improve the value of habitat for insects and other invertebrates, often increasing species abundance and diversity, however, fire (both natural and prescribed) in the wrong place, at the wrong scale, or at the wrong time can have the opposite effect—damaging native plant and invertebrate communities which may take decades to fully recover.
Register here.

Partner Webinar: Like Wildfire: How Climate Justice Should Change Disaster Response
2021-10-14 15:00 - 16:00 | GA
As climate change advances, communities across the United States are adapting to the increased threat of wildfires. Such disasters are expected to become more frequent and severe. In this lecture, Dr. Michael A. Méndez explores why it is crucial to understand how these events amplify existing inequalities, and how to lessen the resulting harms, in particular for the most stigmatized populations, such as undocumented Latino/a and Indigenous migrants
Register here.

Marsh Burning Certification Class
2021-10-14 10:00 - 14:00 | GA
October 14, 2021, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Morgan City Harbor & Terminal District
(In front of Municipal Auditorium)
7327 Hwy 182
Morgan City, LA 70381
This class will address all the essential elements of conducting controlled burns in coastal marsh habitats. Successfully completing the class along with burning experience is required for Prescribed Burner – Marshland certification by the La. Department of Agriculture and Forestry.
Who Should Attend: Coastal Marsh Landowners and Land Managers, Hunters & Trappers Who Assist with Controlled Burns, Anyone Interested in Using Fire as a Marsh Management Technique.
Cost and Registration: There is no cost to attend the class but pre-registration is requested. To preregister, email Faran Dietz at fdietz@ldaf.state.la.us
Registration 10:00 am– 2:00pm

10:00 – Introduction to Prescribed Burner Certification
10:15 – Why Burn the Marsh: Ecology of Louisiana Marshlands
11:00 – Fire Weather Forecast
11:30 – Break
11:45 – Smoke Management
12:15 – Fire Line Establishment
12:45 – The Prescribed Burning Plan
1:15 – Test

Research with Tribes: A Suggested Framework for the Co-production of Knowledge
2021-10-13 15:30 - 16:30 | GA
The 2021 Frederick and Joan Barkalow Distinguished Conservationist Lecture will feature Dr. Caleb Hickman, Supervisory Biologist for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. He will present, “Research with Tribes: A Suggested Framework for the Co-production of Knowledge.”
Join the livestream here.

Born and raised in Oklahoma, Hickman is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, one of the three federally recognized tribes of Cherokee descent. After leaving Oklahoma, he received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Missouri Valley College, masters at Missouri State University and Ph.D. in Zoology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Hickman has authored and co-authored many publications at the edge of ecology and social science. He has also worked with a variety of species across various ecosystems before finding his dream job as the Supervisory Biologist for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
Currently, with a small team, Hickman works to study and conserve a variety of game and non-game fish and wildlife species and their habitats within the Cherokee homeland. He uses a combination of science-based management coupled with a socio-ecological perspective with an eye toward preserving traditional knowledge for the tribe. Hickman enjoys hunting, fishing, and hiking in the mountains, reading Cherokee history, and participating in Cherokee cultural events, including, when he is able, the traditional stickball game. He is married with two wonderful sons.

Hybrid S-130/S-190/L-180: Basic Wildland Firefighter
2021-10-13 - 2021-11-17 | GA
The intent of this course is to train new firefighters in basic firefighting skills. It is often required for participation in prescribed burning activities. Participants who complete all course requirements will receive federally-recognized NWCG certificates for S-130, S-190, and L-180.
**This training is presented in a hybrid format. Participants must complete 40 hours of training total, including online material via Canvas and attending an in-person field day in order to earn NWCG certificates for S-130, S-190, L-180.**
Register for the course here.

Partner Webinar: Giving Voice to Cultural Safety of Indigenous Wildland Firefighters in Canada
2021-10-12 12:00 - 13:00 | GA
For decades, Indigenous firefighters and fire operations staff have been engaged in wildland fire suppression activities, formally and informally. Little is known or understood about the experiences of Indigenous wildland firefighting personnel. To address this deficit, we developed an online survey and virtual circles were conducted specifically for individuals who self-identified as Indigenous and worked in wildland firefighting and/or fire operations for at least one fire season in Canada
Register here.

Savannah River Fire Festival
2021-10-09 10:00 - 14:00 | GA
Get full information here.
Date: October 9, 2021
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Time Zone: America/New_York
Location: Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center, 5960 S GA-17
Guyton, GA 31312 United States
Contact: Susan French

LINK TO PDF GET DIRECTIONS
You and your family are invited to join us for the first annual Savannah River Fire Festival! Enjoy a fun day outdoors celebrating how prescribed fire is good for Georgia’s forests and meet some of the organizations using it to support healthy wildlife habitat and reduce the risk of wildfires. You’ll also get to go on a guided nature hike and meet Burner Bob®. It’s a free festival for the whole family with fire equipment, food trucks, face painting, and games!
In case of inclement weather, the rain date for this event is October 23rd.

Explore nature exhibits, fire equipment, and the many benefits of prescribed fire with our wonderful partners, including (but not limited to!) UGA Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center, Burner Bob, Wildlife Resources Division – Georgia DNR, The Georgia Conservancy, NRCS, Effingham County Fire Rescue, Effingham County UGA Cooperative Extension, The Orianne Society, Georgia Project Learning Tree, Georgia-Alabama Land Trust, Georgia Wildlife Federation, Quail Forever in Georgia, and Coastal Georgia Council Boy Scouts of America.
Interested in being an exhibitor or sponsor? Please contact Susan French at susan@longleafalliance.org.

Fire in the Pines Festival
2021-10-09 | GA
The Fire in the Pines Festival 2021 will be moving to a virtual platform with in-person activities available! We feel this is the best decision for our community given the current Covid-19 surge. We would not feel safe hosting such a large gathering during this time.

We’ll miss seeing all our longleaf friends this year but hope we can continue to connect virtually! We have lots of fun ways to get involved this year so be on the lookout for more FIP 2021 announcements!

View the event website here.

Land Trust Rally 2021
2021-10-05 - 2021-10-07 | Virtual
Rally is the exciting annual gathering of inspired and passionate land conservation practitioners from around the world who are dedicated to conserving cherished places in our communities. The Land Trust Alliance is proud to be hosting its 34th year of Rally: The National Land Conservation Conference. The event will be held virtually.
More information and registration can be found here.

Private Lands Partners Day
2021-10-05 - 2021-10-06 | GA
Hear stories of public-private conservation partnerships from landowners and their partners from across the country as well as challenges and opportunities in a COVID and post-COVID world.

When:
October 5th – 3 pm to 5 pm Eastern
October 6th – 11 am – 1 pm Eastern

Where:
Zoom Webinar Platform, call in number available

Cost:
No Cost Registration Required

Register here.

4th National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy Workshop
2021-10-04 - 2021-10-08 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Asheville – Biltmore, 115 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC, 28803, United States
4th Annual National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy Workshop
Virtual
October 4-7, 2021
Hard Truths, Fantastic Failures and Magnificent Successes of Cross-Boundary, Landscape Level and Community-Wide Implementation
From the conference website:
Since the inception of The National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy , we have learned that there are multiple “hard truths” of living with fire that must be accepted in order to make meaningful progress towards the three national goals of Resilient Landscapes, Fire Adapted Communities and a Safe, Effective, Risk-Based Wildfire Response. We have also experienced multiple opportunities where learning continues around:

Significant wildland fire events that are changing the way future fires are addressed,
“Fantastic Failures” where alignment of ideas and resources did not produce the desired outcomes,
“Magnificent Successes” where collaborative, cross-boundary collaboration, prioritization and investments have led to better wildland fire and landscape scale outcomes,

The 4th National Cohesive Strategy Workshop will center on these themes, and focus sharply understanding how the guiding principles and management options are making meaningful progress towards the three goals, to create a learning environment for attendees.

Central Florida Prescribed Fire Council Annual Meeting
2021-10-01 09:00 - 14:30 | GA
2021 Central Florida Prescribed Fire Council Annual Meeting
October 1, 2021
Virtually Hosted by the Southern Fire Exchange
–Registration Coming Soon–
Download agenda
Agenda:
9:00-9:15 Welcome, Logistics, and Sponsor Acknowledgments
(Sammy McGee, Ben Gugliotti, and Brent Saulsbury; CFPFC Officers)
9:15-9:50 Fire Training in the Time of Covid-19
(Zach Prusak, Wildland Fire Training Specialist, Tall Timbers)
9:50-10:30 FFS Experience with Ignition Drone Use on FL State Forests
(Keith Mousel, Withlacoochee Forestry Center Manager, Florida Forest Service)
10:30-10:45 CFPFC T-shirt/Sticker Show and Tell, Sponsor Videos, Prizes, and Coffee Break
(Brent Saulsbury, CFPFC Treasurer)
10:45-11:20 Prescribed Fire in the Wildland/Urban Interface: Success Through Collaboration in Florida’s
Flatwoods
(Dr. Patrick Bohlen, Director of UCF Landscape and Natural Resources Program)
11:20-12:00 Central FL Weather Outlook and Update for Fire Practioners
(Rodney Wynn, Fire Weather Program Manager, National Weather Service)
12:00-12:40 Announcements and Break for Lunch
12:40-1:20 A Florida Burner’s Value to Western Fire Contracting
(David and Brooke Hogrefe, Sandpine Alliance)
1:20–2:20 Florida Forest Service Update and Special Topic: Air Quality as it Relates to Open Burning
Authorizations
(John Saddler and Sean Gallagher, Florida Forest Service)
2:20-2:30 Meeting Wrap-Up and Evaluation Reminder

Partner Webinar: Addressing Disaster Workforce Needs During the COVID-19 Pandemic
2021-09-30 14:00 - 15:00 | GA
For the past 18 months, emergency response personnel have dealt with the strain of the COVID-19 pandemic in addition to the regular onslaught of tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires, and other hazards. In this webinar, panelists from the public health and emergency services sectors will discuss approaches for addressing worker burnout, promoting individual-level resilience, and mitigating the impacts of worker shortages as the COVID-19 crisis continues to evolve.
Register here.
Learn About:

How decision makers can provide support to the disaster workforce
Strategies that can promote resilience and reduce worker burnout

Speakers:

Phil Ambrose, Glendale Fire Department
Curry Mayer, Seattle Office of Emergency Management
David Miller, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Sue Ann Sarpy, Principal, Sarpy and Associates, LLC

2021 Georgia Prescribed Fire Council Annual Meeting
2021-09-30 10:00 - 15:00 | GA
2021 Georgia PFC Annual Meeting
Thursday – September 30, 2021
The Georgia Prescribed Fire Council invites you to attend the 2021 Statewide Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 30th. This year’s event will be virtual and there is no cost to participate. All are welcome — this meeting has something to offer no matter where you are! Registration coming soon.
Full Agenda Here.

Abbreviated agenda:
10:00 Welcome and Meeting Overview

10:15 A GFC Strategic Vision for Fire in Georgia: Address from the Director

10:25 2021 Prescribed Fire Activity and New Online Permitting

10:40 Air Quality and Smoke Impacts 2021

11:00 Smoke Management Guide for Southeastern Landowners

11:20 Prescribed Fire: A Promising Tool for Reducing the Risk of Tick-borne Diseases

12:00 Lunch Break

12:50 Drip Torch Giveaways and Polls

1:00 The Most Frequent Historical Fire Regime Measured? 500 Years of Fire Scars

1:40 Implications of 21st Century Climate Change for Prescribed Burning in the Southeast

2:05 Burning for Bobwhites: A Look at Prescribed Burning on Osceola and Tallokas Plantations

2:35 Hurricane Michael Follow-up: Fire and tingReforestation

2:55 Closing Remarks

Partner Webinar: Flash Drought Webinar Series: Emerging Tools for Flash Drought Monitoring and Prediction
2021-09-29 14:00 - 15:00 | GA
Droughts are often categorized as ‘flash’ droughts when they develop or intensify in a matter of weeks (though defining flash droughts continues to be an area of active debate). The National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) and the National Weather Service (NWS) are pleased to announce a series of three webinars to help climate professionals and operational service providers better understand this phenomenon, its defining characteristics and how it varies by region and season, its impacts on agricultural and other stakeholders, and the potential for improved monitoring, prediction, and planning/response tools (datasets, maps, etc.).
This webinar, the third in the series, will include the following presentations on emerging tools for flash drought monitoring and prediction from NOAA and other institutions:
Experimental Subseasonal Tools to Support Flash Drought Monitoring and Prediction at CPC – L. Gwen Chen, NOAA Climate Prediction Center
Upcoming Product: Week-2 Flash Drought Forecasts – Brad Pugh, NOAA Climate Prediction Center
Survey of Other Emerging Flash Drought Tools – Trent Ford, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
Register here.

S-130/S-190/L-180
2021-09-27 - 2021-10-01 | GA
Class Dates:
Monday, September 27
Tuesday, September 28
Wednesday, September 29
Thursday, September 30
Friday, October 1
Location: Manatee Technical College: East Campus- Michael G. Johnson Fire Academy
5530 Lakewood Ranch Blvd.
Bradenton, FL 34211
*Costs: Tuition: $225.00

Register here.

SFE Webinar: Moving to Hybrid Events - A Discussion with Natural Resource Professionals
2021-09-23 13:00 - 14:30 | Online, United States
SFE Webinar: Moving to Hybrid Events – A Discussion with Natural Resource Professionals
September 23, 2021 1:00 – 2:30 PM ET
Hosted by NC State University Forestry Extension and the Southern Fire Exchange
We’ll hear from presenters from around the country who will share their personal experiences and lessons learned in moving their natural resource programs to a hybrid platform. They will cover various types of hybrid events, including meetings, trainings, workshops and large-scale conferences, and how to ensure accessibility. This event is open to everyone, but is targeted for natural resources professionals who are considering organizing hybrid events in the future.

As COVID-19 continues to impact the United States, organizations are adjusting and adapting to meet their organizational needs. They are looking to blend traditional ways, such as in-person meetings, with technology, such as video conferencing, to provide content to their audience and meet their organizational needs. Some organizations have quickly adapted to the blending of traditional methods with technology to meet their needs, while others continue to look for solutions. The experiences and lessons learned herein can be used or adapted to effectively plan and conduct hybrid programs. Registration information here.

Presenters

Partner Webinar: ITEP's Status of Tribes & Climate Change (STACC) Report
2021-09-22 13:30 - 14:45 | GA
Join us for the first webinar of a series which will focus on the Status of Tribes and Climate Change (STACC) report, a new report written by a working group and convened by the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Tribes & Climate Change Program. STACC seeks to uplift and honor the voices of Indigenous peoples across the U.S. to increase understanding of Tribal lifeways, cultures, and worldviews; the climate change impacts Tribes are experiencing; the solutions they are implementing; and ways that all of us can support Tribes in adapting to our changing world. Over 90 authors from different entities including the authors of 34 personal Tribal narratives contributed to the publication of the first STACC Report. It was written for diverse audiences including Tribal managers, leaders, and community members; the authors of future National Climate Assessments; federal and state agencies and decision makers; and non-governmental organizations. This first webinar will focus on introducing the Report and will give you a chance to hear from key authors of the Report.
Register here.
We are pleased that our following relatives and colleagues will join us.
1) Ann Marie Chischilly, Esq., ITEP Director and Interim Vice President of the Office of Native American Affairs (ONAI) at Northern Arizona University
2) Dara Marks-Marino, WattTime, Environmental Justice Analyst, former ITEP team member and STACC Report Lead
3) Kyle Whyte, PhD – Professor of Environment & Sustainability & George Willis Pack Professor – University of Michigan and STACC Report Lead Author
4) Rachael Novak, BIA Tribal Resilience Coordinator, BIA Tribal Climate Resilience Program (invited)
5) Coral Avery, Natural Resource Specialist-BIA Tribal Climate Resilience Program and Tribal Youth & Climate Liaison, NW Climate Adaptation Science Center

Oklahoma Quail Forever Field Day: Northern Bobwhite Habitat Management
2021-09-18 | GA
Oklahoma Quail Forever Field Day: Northern Bobwhite Habitat Management on Rangelands and Cross Timbers
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED – Preferably by Sept 15th for Lunch, name tag, resource materials, and parking pass to be ordered.
Details and registration can be found on the event website.
For more information, contact Laura McIver, Pheasants Forever & Quail Forever Regional Representative | (907) 750.2600 | Lmciver@quailforever.org

Partner Webinar: Wildfire in the Western US: Causes, Consequences, & Adaptation
2021-09-16 19:00 - 20:00 | GA
Large fires are becoming more frequent and severe across the western US. Since 1984, annual burned forest area has increased by about 1,100%. Lives, property, and livelihoods are routinely threatened and burned landscapes can be left ecologically transformed.
What is causing recent trends in fire activity? What will forests of the future look like? How can modeling wildfires and forest response guide adaptation strategies? These are among the questions to be explored. Panelists will also discuss the importance of tailoring fire and forest management to the local context, considering regionally specific factors like forest type, environmental conditions, and the presence of people.
Panelists will include: forest ecologist Winslow Hansen (Cary Institute), fire ecologist Phil Higuera (University of Montana), and natural resource sociologist Catrin Edgeley (Northern Arizona University).
This event will include time for audience Q&A. Free and open to all.
Registration is required.
