Join the Forest Stewards Guild, NC Forest Service, and other practitioners for a virtual learning experience. This video discusses the basics of prescribed fire, and the tools needed for private forest landowners to burn their own land. In this video practitioners answer frequently asked questions specifically about how fire in the mountains is ecologically beneficial.
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Texas Longleaf Landowner Survey
Texas Longleaf Implementation Team (TLIT) and Texan by Nature (TxN) are working together to restore more longleaf in East Texas by securing additional cost-sharing opportunities through strategic partnerships. They groups aim to amplify their restoration impacts in East Texas by identifying possible landowner partners. To that end, they have developed a short survey.
Continue Reading2021 NASF Award Nominations
The National Association of State Foresters is now accepting nominations for the following 2021 NASF Awards:
Current Achievement Award for Forest Public Policy
Current Achievement Award for Fire Protection
Current Achievement Award for Forest Resource Management
Current Achievement Award for Urban and Community Forestry
Current Achievement Award for Communications
Current Achievement Award for Leadership
Current Achievement Award for Partnerships
Lifetime Achievement Award
Click here to access the online awards nomination form. Only nominations submitted on or before Friday, July 23 through this online form will be considered. Descriptions of the awards and guidelines for selection are included on the first page of the online form.
The 2020 and 2021 NASF Award winners will be recognized with an in-person presentation at the 2021 NASF Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, PA.
Those with questions can contact NASF Communications Coordinator Hannah Wagner at hwagner@stateforesters.org.
Continue ReadingHumboldt State Announces Plans for Applied Fire Science & Management Program
In an effort to boost its chances of becoming California’s third polytechnic university, Humboldt State University this week announced plans for several new science and engineering programs.
HSU will submit proposals for Applied Fire Science & Management, Cannabis Studies, Data Science, Energy Systems Engineering, Engineering & Community Practice, Geospatial Information Science & Technology, Marine Biology, Mechanical Engineering, and Software Engineering to California State University officials for consideration for Fall 2023.
Read more from the Times-Standard here.
Continue ReadingGuidance Available to Prepare Schools, Commercial and Public Buildings for Wildfire Smoke
Smoke in wildfire prone states is a growing health concern, especially for vulnerable populations. EPA is collaborating with partners to develop guidance to protect those who are in schools, commercial buildings and other public buildings from wildfire smoke exposure. A newly released interim guide provides recommendations and processes for developing a smoke readiness plan for commercial buildings that can be implemented when smoke is forecasted and during smoky days.
Continue ReadingNWCG Guide to Fire Weather Forecasts
The NWCG Guide to Fire Weather Forecasts, PMS 425, is for firefighters at all experience levels and for early- to mid-career fire weather meteorologists to guide them on the field expectations of their forecasts. Furthermore, it establishes mandatory and optional fire weather forecast variables for Incident Fire Weather Forecasts as produced by Incident Meteorologists (IMETs).
The content of Fire Weather, PMS 425-1, is now available for reference electronically. This guide, originally published in 1970, gives detailed information on fire weather and meteorological processes.
Continue ReadingLongleaf Alliance Planting Funds Accepting Requests Through July 31
The Longleaf Alliance works with multiple partners to provide longleaf pine seedling funds to landowners. In 2020, The Longleaf Alliance, planted 3.2 million longleaf pine seedlings on private and public lands in collaboration with restoration partners.
If interested in requesting financial assistance for an longleaf project for the 2021-2022 planting season, use the link below to submit your request by July 31st.
Submitting a request does not guarantee that funds will be available, but does allow us to more efficiently track those landowners or partners that are in need of assistance.
Continue ReadingAFE Fire Congress Updates: Fire Ecology Special Collection, Call for Proposals
The Association for Fire Ecology has released several important updates related to the upcoming Fire Congress that will be held in Destin, FL November 30 – December 4:
- Call for Proposals for special sessions and workshops open through June 15
- Special collection of articles from the Congress will be published in AFE’s peer-reviewed journal, Fire Ecology
- Sponsorships and exhibit hall will be available in-person and virtually
- FAQs’s about registration, hybrid format, and more
Job: Biological Scientist III, Florida Forest Service
The anticipated minimum hiring salary for this position is $36,467.60 annually.
JOB DUTIES:
This professional position is responsible to the Forestry Resource Administrator. This person will work to plan, develop, and coordinate land management practices that enhance and protect natural plant communities and animal species on Lake Wales Ridge State Forest and other state lands as needed. Specific examples of work performed include, but are not limited to, the following:
Survey mapped populations of 16 federally listed species at Lake Wales Ridge State Forest (LWRSF); update GPS/GIS (Global Positioning System /Geographic Information) maps of populations (or individuals if n<100) of listed species. Conduct floristic surveys on the state forest and assist in floristic surveys on other public lands as needed.
Develop and implement demography projects (i.e., monitor tagged individuals) for at least half of the 8 species subject to level 3 monitoring in order to determine their management requirements. Small, medium, and large populations should be selected so that trends can be detected. Coordinate with outside researchers to avoid duplication of effort in plant demography projects.
Develop Scrub Maintenance Project by establishing a written monitoring protocol to track the success of the application of high intensity prescribed fire to maintain habitat requirements of scrub endemics.
Assist with the Sand Pine Scrub Co-operative Research Project being conducted in collaboration with ecologists from the Department of Environmental Protection, Archbold Biological Station, and The Nature Conservancy.
Work with the forester on timber harvest planning in sand pine scrub and cutthroat grass. Continue vegetation-monitoring project and coordinate with the forester on effects of logging on listed species in sand pine scrub.
Provide input for burn planning on the state forest and conduct post burn analysis and monitoring of plants.
Conduct field research projects (responses to disturbances, seed viability, etc.) to improve understanding of the effects of management activities on any of the 16 listed species where current knowledge is lacking. Coordinate and collaborate with outside researchers to avoid duplication of effort in these areas.
Assist in the development, administration, and implementation of ecologically sound forest management prescriptions that promote native habitat integrity and protect rare, threatened, and endangered species of plants and animals. Promote the enhancement of these populations through specific habitat controls. Coordinate ecosystem management practices with federal, state, other local agencies and appropriate environmental private organizations to ensure a blended, well-balanced management program for these species. Survey, inventory, and monitor rare, threatened and endangered species of flora and fauna and maintain a permanent record of essential information for future management purposes. Attend and be involved in the Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Working Group.
Assist other Florida Forest Service (FFS) biologists in conducting routine field inspections to inventory and monitor condition of forest units, habitats, and plant populations. Assist other state agencies with preparation and update of natural areas inventory as regards rare plants. Coordinate with other FFS biologists in the relocation of threatened and endangered species and evaluation of ecological mitigation projects.
Perform other related duties as assigned including the proper maintenance of all assigned equipment and vehicles
Continue ReadingVirginia Forests Magazine Features Prescribed Fire
Virginia Forests, a publication of the Virginia Forestry Association, released a summer issue featuring fire in Virginia.
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