Part of a national network
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 extension
Present 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.
Southern Rockies
SW
GP
Boise
Midwest Oaks
and tallgrass
Principles
Neutral science partner:
Management based on sound science
Be inclusive
Who are we?
Staff
Sherry Leis: Program Leader, fire ecologist
Carol Blocksome: Outreach Specialist, Rangeland Extension
Rachel Peterson: Social Media Specialist
Tom Bragg: Co-PI, advisor
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
Degrees
B.S. Beloit College
M.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 Conservancy
Universities/field stations
Landowners
Burn associations
USGS
Extension
NRCS
FWS
ARS
Who do we serve?
Great Plains Fire Community
Private land
managers
Public safety
officers
Media and the
public
American Indians
Practitioners
Fire science and
information needs
Public land
managers
Policy makers
Contractors
Researchers
Fire Operations and VFDs
Grassland emphasis
• Endangered ecosystems
Tallgrass, shortgrass, mixed grass, shrubland, sagebrush step,
savanna (unique communities and management cultures)
• Prescribed fire associations almost entirely grassland focused
How much fire?
No one knows , but…..
Burned area using Landsat data
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
Texas compared to the rest of
the GP
Its not enough….
CO
KS
MO
MT
ND
NE
OK
SD
TX
WY
**
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Priority topic
areas
How we are addressing information needs?
Online resource center
 Partner with eXtension online forum
Sponsor 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 grazing
Great Plains based
Listserve and annual
field meeting
Landowner friendly
Learning opportunity
Grad. 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 Together
Learn: 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.
What can you do?
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.
• Report operations/safety record PBAs
Coalition.
PBAT
Regional
• 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?