Course Description - M-580 Fire in Ecosystem Management

January 28 - February 1, 2013

Course Goals

• Analyze the significant role of fire management across a diversity of ecosystems.
• Demonstrate the complexity and benefits of integrating fire and landscape management with social, political, legal, economic and environmental factors.
• Identify strategies, concepts, reference resources, and models to facilitate ecosystem management decisions.

Course Description

Through lectures, case studies, a field trip, and interaction between participants and faculty, the course will:

• Explore the role of fire and fire management in ecosystem management.
• Examine historical, social, political, legal, economic, and environment factors critical to fire management.
• Provide the participants with concepts, technologies and methods to actively engage in ecosystem management across the landscape.

Nationally recognized subject matter experts and practitioners serve as instructors in this course.

Additional Information

The course does not provide a “cookbook” for ecosystem management; rather this course provides concepts, and ecological and social considerations to assist the student with developing specific fire management programs. Local fire effects information and monitoring details are provided in other courses.

Individuals who have attended RX510 – Advanced Fire Effects, should understand that some similar subject matter is addressed in M580.

M580 curriculum contains similar content as Technical Fire Management (TFM) and university level fire ecology programs. 
Prospective nominees should understand that if they have attended one of these programs there may be some duplication in M580.  

Target Audience

This course is targeted for individuals who are looking to enhance their knowledge and understanding of fire management and fire ecology.  However, this is not an advanced fire ecology course.

• Individuals involved with planning, implementation, and monitoring of fire and ecosystem management programs, i.e. natural/cultural resource management specialists, endangered species biologists, compliance specialists (NEPA, SHPO), and land and fire management planners.
• Agency administrators, (i.e., line officers) senior managers, Tribal leaders, and other key partners. (i.e., community leaders, local government, state officials, non-government partners, et cetera.)
• Individuals who need to communicate fire management and ecological principles and practices across diverse landscapes; such as public affairs, information officers, education and other specialists.
• Fireline leadership, such as prescribed fire and fuels specialists, assistant FMO’s, and strategic operational planners.

Important Dates

November 1, 2012: Nomination Due to NAFRI from Agencies and GACC’s
November 19, 2012: Notification of Selection

Nomination Process

Please see the NAFRI nomination process page on the NAFRI website.

Course Coordinator: Gary Luce phone: (520) 799-8753; fax (520) 799-8785, email: galuce@fs.fed.us