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 discussed 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.
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Infrastructure Bill Includes $3.3 Billion for Wildland Fire
Wildfire Today covers the $3.3 billion in wildland fire spending authorized in the recently passed infrastructure bill. This includes $20 million for the Joint Fire Science Program, which supports Southern Fire Exchange.
Continue ReadingSoutheast Prescribed Fire Training Survey Report
After many months of analyzing the responses from the 955 participants of the SE Prescribed Fire Training Needs Survey,the final report of findings and recommendations is now available. In addition to the full final report, a one-page briefing paper was produced which provides an overview of information in the final report. Please share this report as needed and consider your relationship with prescribed fire training, the recommendations provided, and how you can work to implement the recommendations or help others to do so.
Continue ReadingJob: Cultural Burning/Fire Program Manager, Amah Mutsun Land Trust
The Cultural Burning/Fire Program Manager will be responsible for identifying appropriate locations to conduct
cultural burn activities based on ethno-botanical and cultural archeological research, preparing burn plans,
securing appropriate permits and approvals, and conducting the burns in conjunction with AMLT’s Native
Stewardship Corps (NSC) and other Tribal members. This position is also responsible for getting Native
Stewardship Corps members trained and certified in all aspects of firefighting and identifying and securing the
necessary equipment for the NSC to become an independent, fire-lighting/firefighting team. Lastly, this position
will be responsible for developing expertise in post-fire recovery planning and implementation in collaboration
with AMLT’s Native Plant Restoration and Native Stewardship Corps Program Managers.
Read the full position description and application instructions here.
Continue ReadingBIA Funding Announcement: Tribal Organization Support for Tribal Climate Resilience Liaisons
The BIA Tribal Climate Resilience Program is pleased to announce the availability of funding to support the hiring of Tribal Climate Resilience Liaisons in the North Central, Midwest and Northeast/Southeast regions of the DOI Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) through the BIA’s Tribal Resilience Program (Program). Eligible applicants include tribal non-profit, non-governmental organizations and tribally-controlled colleges or universities (TCUs) that serve federally-recognized tribes. Other entities may participate as sub-grantees. The solicitation is available on grants.gov, and named TCRP-16241: https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=336222
The BIA is collaborating with the Department of Interior (DOI) Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) to continue supporting tribal climate resilience needs and selected tribal organizations will enter into cooperative agreements with the BIA. This provides a mechanism for the BIA to provide the selected Tribal organizations with non-recurring funding for mutually agreed upon tasks in keeping with the climate science needs of the BIA and all tribal communities in the North Central, Midwest, and Northeast/Southeast CASC regions (learn more and see map of DOI CASCs here: https://www.usgs.gov/ecosystems/climate-adaptation-science-centers). Applications are due December 17, 2021.
Continue ReadingJob: Member Services Coordinator, Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network
This position will work with community-based fire adaptation leaders as part of a multi-organizational team dedicated to supporting practitioners’ learning, connections, action and strategy development. The Member Services Coordinator will be the primary support person for wildfire practitioners in California and will work alongside other network staff serving as a netweaver, advisor and coach to community-based fire adaptation leaders in our network. The Coordinator will also work closely with the Regional Forest and Fire Capacity (RFFC) program staff. See additional qualifications, skills, benefits and details in the job solicitation and description.
Applications due November 5, 2021.
Learn more about the position and how to apply: https://www.thewatershedcenter.com/careers
Continue ReadingJob: Fire Learning Network Manager, The Nature Conservancy
The Fire Learning Network Manager will be a member of the North America Fire team which leads the North America Region’s Living with Fire priority strategy and administers the Promoting Ecosystem Resilience and Fire Adapted Communities Together Phase III: Collaborative Engagement, Collective Action and Co-ownership of Fire (PERFACT III) Cooperative Agreement between TNC, USDA Forest Service and the Department of Interior agencies. This agreement supports four national learning networks – the Fire Learning Network (FLN), the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network, the Indigenous Peoples Burning Network (IPBN), and a Prescribed Fire Training Exchanges (TREX) Coaches Network – as well as other training, capacity-building and targeted implementation work. These networks and strategies invest in people and place-based efforts in 37 U.S. states, including 2,100 partners from over 100 organizations and 13 countries.
Continue ReadingTexas Forest Service explains science behind burn bans
Recording Available: The Jones Center Facebook Live on Land Management After Hurricane Michael
Tribal Climate Listening Sessions
The Department of the Interior (DOI) is pleased to announce three upcoming virtual listening sessions focused on climate change and Tribal Nations. The Department would like to ensure that the efforts and initiatives it develops to meet these priorities are shaped and designed based on feedback and information from across Indian Country and Alaska Native Villages. These listening sessions will inform DOI-wide and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)-led efforts.
More information and session dates and times can be found here.
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