PRESCRIBED FIRE FOR WILDLIFE
April 25-28, 2023
FFA Leadership Training Center
5000 Firetower Road
Haines City, Florida 33844
Sponsors:
Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Cooperators:
Seminole Tribe of Florida, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Park Service, Trinity College, Archbold Biological Station, Tall Timbers Research Station, Palm Beach County Environmental Resource Management, South Florida Water Management District, St. Johns River Water Management District, National Wild Turkey Federation, City of Gainesville, Alachua Conservation Trust
Your sponsors and cooperators are pleased to again host “PRESCRIBED FIRE FOR WILDLIFE” April 25-28, 2023, at the FFA Leadership Training Center located on Lake Pierce near Haines City, Florida. Attendees are encouraged to stay onsite with meals and lodging provided through the duration of the course. The Florida Chapter has reserved several ‘villas’ that include single and double occupancy bedrooms and a spacious common area in each villa. If you require single occupancy, let us know and we will do our best to honor your request. This training is designed to provide land managers and wildlife stewards with basic information on wildlife habitat management practices associated with prescribed fires in Florida. It includes sections addressing how ignition plans can be developed and implemented to meet specific wildlife objectives while minimizing risk. This training combines classroom lectures, panel discussions, and field exercises covering a variety of wildlife and habitats. Classroom activities will be held at the Leadership Training Center. Field exercises will be held at nearby south Florida wildlands and will focus on how prescribed fire can improve and maintain valuable wildlife habitats.
The Florida Chapter of the Wildlife Society is handling registration and because class size is limited, early registration is encouraged. Basic Registration is $425.00 and full registration with all meals and lodging is $775.00. The Registration deadline is March 12, 2023. Register online via https://fltws.org/shop (state or federal pcards accepted).
UPDATE January 23, 2023 - REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED. We are at capacity for the class, however we are accepting names on a wait list in the event of cancellations. Please contact Jim Schortemeyer (contact info below) or Monica Folk (monica.folk@fltws.org) to be placed on the waitlist. THANK YOU!
For additional information contact: Jim Schortemeyer (239) 455-5847 Schortfire@aol.com
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 12 March 2023
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
PRESCRIBED FIRE / WILDLIFE HABITAT ENHANCEMENT TECHNIQUES
Review and understand basic habitat management principles as they relate to fire.
Review standard habitat management and prescribed fire practices for selected wildlife species.
Prescribed fire recommendations for panther and bear in Florida.
Prescribed fire recommendations for quail and other small game.
Prescribed fire recommendations for turkey.
Prescribed fire recommendations for the bald eagle and red cockaded woodpecker.
Case studies of specific habitat management programs emphasizing prescribed fire in Florida.
IGNITION PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION
Review and understand fire intensity and its relationship to wildlife impacts.
Explore methods to regulate intensity.
Discuss specific ignition techniques for a variety of habitats and fire return intervals.
Techniques and considerations for re-establishment of short return intervals in fire deprived habitats.
Review specific examples of problems and solutions associated with prescribed fires for wildlife in Florida.
AgendA
TUESDAY April 25
12:00-13:00 Check in and Orientation
13:00-13:30 Introduction
13:30-14:00 Lake Wales Ridge Area : Opportunities and Challenges for Rx Fire
14:00-14:30 Planning and Implementation; Keys to Success
14:30-15:00 Basic Habitat Management Principles
15:00-17:30 Field Exercise: Incorporating Wildlife Benefits in Rx Fire Programs
17:30-19:00 Welcome to the FFA Leadership Training Center
WEDNESDAY April 26
08:00-08:30 Prescribed Fire for Wildlife on South Florida State Parks
08:30-09:30 Ecological Functions and the Fire Environment
09:30-10:00 Palm Beach County Natural Areas and Wildlife Stewardship
10:00-10:45 Using Prescribed Fire for Restoration and Management of Bobwhite Quail
10:45-11:15 FWC Programs Supporting Rx Fire
11:15-12:00 Prescribed Fire for Reptiles and Amphibians
LUNCH (PROVIDED)
13:00-13:45 Prescribed Fire Considerations for Panther and Bear
13:45-14:30 Prescribed Fire Recommendations for Turkey
14:30-15:30 Panel Discussion: Ignition Techniques for Wildlife and Student Topics
15:30-17:30+ Field Exercise: Incorporating Wildlife Benefits in Rx Fire Programs
THURSDAY April 27
08:00-08:30 Deer Management and Rx Fire
08:30-09:15 Rx Fire for Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers, Caracara and Bald Eagles
09:15-10:00 Fire in Wetlands
10:00-10:30 Fire Management on the Babcock\Webb WMA
10:30-11:00 Fire on Private Lands; Challenges and Opportunities
11:00-11:30 Integrating Prescribed Fire & Mechanical Treatments
11:30-12:00 Scrub Jay Management on Merritt Island NWR
LUNCH (PROVIDED)
13:00-13:30 Specific Techniques for Scrub Habitat and Wildlife
13:30-14:00 Dry Prairies and Grasshopper Sparrows
14:00-15:00 Panel Discussion: Evaluating Prescribed Fires & Wildlife Responses
15:00-18:00+ Field Exercise: (Continued)
FRIDAY April 28
08:00-08:30 Field Exercise: (Continued)
08:30-09:30 Panel Discussion: Topics Submitted by Participants
09:30-12:00 Student Presentations on Field Exercises and Final Exam
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