Prescribed Fire for Wildlife Class - Registration now open!

PRESCRIBED FIRE FOR WILDLIFE

February 4-6, 2025

Archbold Biological Station, 123 Main Drive, Venus, Florida 33960

 

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 once again host “PRESCRIBED FIRE FOR WILDLIFE” at Archbold Biological Station located near Lake Placid, Florida.  Our 2025 session will be held February 4-6. Attendees are encouraged to stay onsite with meals and lodging provided. 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 Archbold’s Learning Center located onsite. Field exercises will be held at nearby central Florida wildlands and will focus on prescribed fire techniques that maintain and improve valuable wildlife habitats.

UPDATE: New Dates and Location announced

Class size is limited so early registration is encouraged.  Basic Registration is $375.00 and full registration with all meals and lodging is $675.00.  Register online via https://fltws.org/shop (credit cards or state or federal pcards accepted).

For additional information contact:   Jim Schortemeyer  (239) 455-5847   Schortfire@aol.com

REGISTER HERE - DEADLINE: 20 January 2025

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:

PRESCRIBED FIRE / WILDLIFE HABITAT ENHANCEMENT TECHNIQUES

  1. Review and understand basic habitat management principles as they relate to fire.

  2. Review standard habitat management and prescribed fire practices for selected wildlife species.

  3. Prescribed fire recommendations for panther and bear in Florida.

  4. Prescribed fire recommendations for quail and other small game.

  5. Prescribed fire recommendations for turkey.

  6. Prescribed fire recommendations for the bald eagle and red cockaded woodpecker.

  7. Case studies of specific habitat management programs emphasizing prescribed fire in Florida.

IGNITION PLANNING & IMPLEMENTATION

  1. Review and understand fire intensity and its relationship to wildlife impacts.

  2. Explore methods to regulate intensity.

  3. Discuss specific ignition techniques for a variety of habitats and fire return intervals.

  4. Techniques and considerations for re-establishment of short return intervals in fire deprived habitats.

  5. Review specific examples of problems and solutions associated with prescribed fires for wildlife in Florida. 

AgendA (Tentative)

TUESDAY February 4

09:00-10:00   Check in and Orientation

10:00-10:30   Introduction

10:30-11:15   Introduction to Lake Wales Ridge: Techniques for Scrub Habitat and Wildlife

11:15-11:45   Basic Habitat Management Principles

11:45-12:15   Planning and Implementation: Keys to Success

                       LUNCH  (PROVIDED)

13:00-13:40   Using Prescribed Fire for Restoration and Management of Bobwhite Quail

13:40-14:30   Prescribed Fire for Reptiles and Amphibians

14:30-15:00   Overview Lake Wales Ridge: ADB Catfish Creek SP, Hatchineha Unit of the Everglades Headwaters NWR WMA, & SFWMD Lake Marion Creek WMA

15:00-17:30   Field Exercise: Incorporating Wildlife Benefits in Rx Fire Programs

17:30-19:00   Welcome to Archbold Biological Station

 

WEDNESDAY February 5

08:00-08:30   Palm Beach County Natural Areas and Wildlife Stewardship

08:30-09:00   Deer Management and Rx Fire

09:00-09:30   FWC Programs Supporting Rx Fire

09:30-10:00   Rx Fire for Red-Cockaded Woodpeckers, Caracara and Bald Eagles  

10:00-10:30   Fire on Private Lands: Challenges and Opportunities

10:30-11:00   Rx Fire Recommendations for Turkey  

11:00-11:30   Fire Management on Babcock/Webb WMA

11:30-12:00   Dry Prairie and Florida Grasshopper Sparrow

                       LUNCH  (PROVIDED)

13:00-13:30   Prescribed Fire Considerations for Panther

13:30-14:00   Fire in Wetlands

14:00-15:00   Panel Discussion and Student Topics

15:00-17:30   +++ Field Exercise: Incorporating Wildlife Benefits in Rx Fire Programs

 

THURSDAY February 6

08:00-08:30   Field Exercise continued

08:30-09:30   Panel Discussion: Evaluating Prescribed Fires & Wildlife Responses

09:30-12:00   Student Presentations on Field Exercises

                    LUNCH  (PROVIDED)

13:00-14:00   (cont) Student Presentations on Field Exercises and Final Exam

14:00-14:30   Closing Remarks - Making a Difference

 

A PDF version of this flyer can be accessed by clicking HERE