Science and Practice of Prescribed Fire (July 17-Aug 9)

Tue/Thurs
10:00 - 11:00 AM Tuesdays and 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Thursdays
1 credits

4-week session • July 17-Aug 9

Fulfills Environmental Studies

UW Designations

Instructors

Craig Maier
Outreach Specialist
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Paul Zedler
Nelson Institute Associate Director for Research and Education and Professor of Environmental Studies
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COURSE DESCRIPTION

What does it mean to “manage a fire-adapted ecosystem”? We will explore this question through interactions with people who are dedicated to the work of conserving, restoring, and managing tallgrass prairie, oak ecosystems, and wetland communities; these are key habitats in southern Wisconsin and the Midwest which require frequent fire to prevent their replacement by shrublands and forest.  Course activities emphasize online learning and outdoor learning experience. Outdoor experiences include both independent exercises and weekly field trips. Field trips will explore conservation lands and facilitate learning from the people—many professionals, and in some cases volunteers—responsible for planning and implementing prescribed fires for objectives that vary due to landowner objectives and site characteristics. This course will help prepare students for future paths such as careers in natural resource management or ecological research, while strengthening your sense of place in southern Wisconsin and the Midwest. The course will address both social and ecological issues that influence prescribed fire, including air quality, risk to property, public policy, rare species conservation, wildlife management, sustainable forestry, ecosystem protection and management, climate change, and traditional ecological knowledge.

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