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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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?