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.
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2020 National Prescribed Fire Use Report
The Coalition of Prescribed Fire Councils and the National Association of State Foresters just published the 2020 National Prescribed Fire Use Report. This latest report provides an annual snapshot of forestry and rangeland prescribed fire use by U.S. state and region. Starting with 2020, the report will be updated annually to capture the annual variations in prescribed fire use that come from weather and other factors. The 2012, 2015, and 2018 reports can be found here.
Job: 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.
Continue ReadingNew Duff Fire Science Success Story Fact Sheet
The three page duff fire science success story tells how JFSP and SFE efforts supported regional collaborations to address duff fire problems.
We have a new fact sheet that highlights the impacts of Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) and Southern Fire Exchange efforts to address problems related to duff fires. Check it out (pdf) to see how land managers and scientists are collaborating to save old trees and reduce the occurrence of hazardous duff fires. Curious to learn more about JFSP and SFE duff fire science programs? Check out our video here:
Continue ReadingNew Fire Science Exchange Network Infographic
The Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) has released a new infographic showcasing the Fire Science Exchange Network, of which Southern Fire Exchange is a member.
In 2010, the JFSP established a network of regional fire science exchanges across the United States to facilitate information exchange among fire researchers and fire, fuel, natural resource, and land managers. This year, the JFSP celebrates 10 years of national collaboration through the exchanges. These 15 members of the Fire Science Exchange Network, including Southern Fire Exchange, deliver the most relevant wildland fire science information to federal, state, local, tribal, and private stakeholders.
Continue ReadingJob: Wildland Fire Crew, Hillsborough County Florida
This position provides technical support for access and management of lands acquired through the Hillsborough County Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program (ELAPP).
The position may perform one or more of the activities below:
- Provides maintenance of existing and future access points, trails, and park sites at all ELAPP Preserves.
- Conducts exotic plant control using herbicide and other methods.
- Assists with exotic, invasive, and nuisance animal removal.
- Assists with prescribed burns by preparing fire lanes and prescribed burn activities
- Assists with or gives guided field trips on various nature preserves.
- Assists with water quality monitoring.
- Assists with restoration activities, including planting of native species.
- Maintains signs, restroom facilities, and parking areas at various preserves.
Apply by December 29.
Full information and application instructions here.
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Inequality and Wildfire Response
Two recent articles addressed recent research showing that some communities benefit more from wildfire management than others while whiter, higher-income, and more highly educated communities receive more vigilant wildfire response.
Evidence from Wildfire Events in the Western United States Reveals Inequalities in Wildfire Management (Resources Magazine)
When wildfires hit, richer and whiter neighborhoods are more likely to get government support (Mic)
Continue ReadingScienceline: Prescribed fires may mean safer smoke
“When comparing how smoke from wildfires and prescribed burns affected children, “we saw worse effects from the wildfire,” says Dr. Mary Prunicki, who directs air pollution and health research at the Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University. In a study published in the journal Allergy in 2019, her team found that children who lived near where a wildfire occurred suffered more severe respiratory and immune effects than those who lived near a prescribed burn.”
Continue ReadingJob: Communications Director, Southern Group of State Foresters
The Communications Director serves as the organization’s lead in the design and implementation of communication strategies and promotion of SGSF activities to internal and external audiences. Promoting current media campaigns, such as Healthy Trees, Healthy Lives, will be a priority. The Communications Director reports to the Southern Group of State Foresters Executive Committee.
Apply by January 31 for full consideration.
Full job description and application information here.
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