Part of a national network The mission of the Great Plains Fire Science Exchange is to enhance fire...
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Transcript of Part of a national network The mission of the Great Plains Fire Science Exchange is to enhance fire...
Part of a national network
GP Fire Science Exchange Mission
The mission of the Great Plains Fire Science Exchange is to enhance fire science delivery by using new and existing mechanisms and outlets for outreach across the Great Plains and to stimulate communication among the fire community to bridge the gap in information sharing.
Mission extensionPresent the science to the GP fire community and make
it accessible
Connect the GP fire community
Enhance the knowledge and understanding of fire in the Great Plains for those outside of the Great Plains.
GPSW
Southern Rockies
Midwest Oaks and tallgrass
Boise
Neutral science partner:
Management based on sound science
Principles
Be inclusive
StaffSherry Leis: Program Leader, fire ecologistCarol Blocksome: Outreach Specialist, Rangeland ExtensionRachel Peterson: Social Media Specialist
Tom Bragg: Co-PI, advisor
Who are we?
Where we are?• Portions of 10
states (36.9 million acres)
• Map boundaries help us focus, but we work across boundaries.
Funding
Joint Fire Science Program, 2-3 yr cycles• 2014-16: $400,000
A little about me
DegreesB.S. Beloit CollegeM.S. Oklahoma State University
Area of emphasis: grassland disturbance ecology especially fire and grazing
Worked to help managers understand the impacts of their fire management.
Who are we?Board of Directors: distributed across the region and diverse backgrounds.
The Nature ConservancyUniversities/field stations
LandownersBurn associations
USGSExtension
NRCSFWS ARS
Public land managersFire science and
information needs
Private land managers
Researchers
Practitioners
Policy makers
Public safety officers
Media and the public
Contractors
Great Plains Fire Community
Fire Operations and VFDs
Who do we serve?
American Indians
Grassland emphasis
• Endangered ecosystemsTallgrass, shortgrass, mixed grass, shrubland, sagebrush step, savanna (unique communities and management cultures)
• Prescribed fire associations almost entirely grassland focused
How much fire?, but…..
The Flint Hills burns ~35% annually. (Goodin and Moehler)
In NE in 2012, nearly 500,000 acres burned by wildfire alone.4 million acres burned by wildfires in TX in 2011
In the south, 88 million acres in the WUI
No one knowsBurned area using Landsat data
COKSMOMTNDNEOKSDTXWY
Texas compared to the rest of the GP
Its not enough….
Priority topic areas
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**
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How we are addressing information needs?
Online resource center Partner with eXtension online forumSponsor training exchanges Support landowner and manager attendance at
Patch burn working group meeting.Developing workshops, symposia, and syntheses Rolling research needs up to JFSP
Video Production
YouTube channel includes videos and recorded presentations
Demonstration sites
Engaging extension and operations
Patch burn grazing working group
Focused on interaction of fire and grazingGreat Plains basedListserve and annual field meetingLandowner friendlyLearning opportunityGrad. student and researcher participation
Engaging the research community
What we are not:• A source for operations/equipment funding.
• A research group
• A source for insurance, although we may be able to share what we learn about the issue in the region.
• Fire advocacy group
Working TogetherLearn: through our science summary products
educate yourself and share with your networks.
Tell us what information you need.
Don’t conduct research, but we can relay to researchers what your needs are.
We can coordinate training as long as there is a fire science emphasis.
Try out our products and give feedback.
Accurately record the burning you do and aggregate it in ways that others can use.
Let us know how you can help us. You have skills and knowledge to share. You can be leaders in the region.
Participate.
What can you do?
• Report operations/safety record PBAs PBAT Regional Coalition.
• Be good examples of fire management for local neighborhoods.
• Engage volunteer fire departments
• (GPE can help provide resources for those conversations/meetings)
• PBAs and PBAT can identify groups that need fire science and provide those to GPE.
• Field trips
Propose a state prescribed fire or wildland fire day at the capital.
Encourage the formation of Firewise or Fire Adapted Communities (and tell us about it).
Vote.
Discussion?