Reflection from JB

As I empty the contents of the 4½ lb black cotton Smokey Bear tote bag onto my desk it becomes apparent a lot of teaching and learning occurred during the weeklong fire ecology class.  Wow, did I get all this material legally?  It seems like a lot of “stuff”.  Is this all for me?  There are DVD’s, notebooks, lesson plans, models for activities, PLT activity books, lecture notes from various presenters along with ideas for lesson plans, information from state and federal agencies, materials regarding wildfire behavior and the role of wildfire in ecosystems. Of course there was all the sharing of ideas and experiences from firefighters, scientists, land owners, public officials, professionals, and experienced educators. Almost overwhelming.  In fact it would have been too much had it not been for the outstanding food, professional camaraderie, and lodging.

After looking over the artifacts on my desk for several hours, reading through notes on my tablet taken during the week, and 3 cups of coffee in my favorite orange ceramic mug, I have come to the conclusion that this class has taught me why to teach about fire and given me the tools to do so. 

Reflecting on the content of the class I can say that I learned about

the fire triangle and factors that influence fire behavior such as topography, fuel type and relative humidity

How fire plays a key role in the continuing health of our forests.  Wildfire is necessary for maintaining healthy ecosystems by returning nutrients to the soil, opening the canopy, decreasing competition, and providing natural open areas for wildlife.

The differences between the IPS, spruce and pine beetles, and how they can impact forests that have been protected from fires.

Dendrochronology

How to reduce fire risk to homes where the eves meet the leaves

Impacts to soil including how to test for hydrophobic soil conditions

Roles of different governmental agencies and how they cooperate with each other

Fire history in the western US

Post-fire flood mitigation techniques from Theresa Springer

Many GREAT lesson plans including:

Every tree for itself (last tree standing)

Designer tree

Forest to faucet

My goal is to develop lesson plans to teach wildfire as a series of integrated hands-on standards based lessons for a unit within an environmental science class.  Disciplines such as biology, geography, geology, history, and social sciences will be incorporated into this new unit. The fire ecology institute has given me great educational tools to move forward. Thanks

Reflection from MA

REFLECTION ON FIRE ECOLOGY INSTITUTE

Why take a class on fire ecology? I certainly didn’t need the credits and I am teaching Language Arts and Social studies next year. At this point in my career or life for that matter, it is because I wanted to explore new knowledge, to experience a different content area, perhaps, most of all for personal reasons.

 I live in a WUI, a funny name that I had not heard before, a homeowner who loves the lifestyle of being nestled in the foothills among the stately Ponderosa pine forest. I also live in a Firewise Community. Sure, I know that Keith Worley lives down the street and holds yearly meetings with homeowners about mitigation. Sure, we mitigate our property by spending untold hours raking and hauling underbrush off the property, cutting the scrub oak that propagates with no encouragement, mowing the natural grasses, and doing all we can to create a defensible space. But truth be told, we do all that because we feel we are the caretakers, the stewards of our land. I really hadn’t thought of the larger picture.

This class made me focus on fire!  Last summer when the Waldo Canyon fire blew up smoke drifted north into our community for days, friends were evacuated and we too got the sheriff’s call reminding us to be ready for summer wildfires. Evacuation route signs were posted in our neighborhood and along the one and only highway in our area. Scary stuff, but still I had no clear picture of this fascinating phenomenon called fire.

Throughout the week we concentrated on ALL aspects of fire. I left with a clearer picture of the ways communities like mine need to be even better stewards, and perhaps educators, to each other and those who live in the suburbs and cities. On the community level, I was reminded of the importance of landscaping with the proper plants, using more fire resistant building materials, and creating disaster plans with family and neighbors. Upon seeing the sites firsthand you cannot argue with the devastating effects of massive wildfires such as Waldo or Haymen!

The week in class focused on the importance of healthy forests. I grew up in the era of Bambi and Smoky the Bear, of Edward Abbey and treehuggers. Treehuggers do not cut trees! Amazing how knowledge changes one’s perspective. I now see fire as both destructive and part of the renewal process of nature. Pictures tell a thousand words and those showing our forests at the turn of the last century compared to this century certainly show the need to revisit current laws on thinning, creating forest industries focused on healthy forests over economics, and preserving our watersheds. Only through education can environments be created to find balanced ways to live responsibly with respect for the beautiful forests in Colorado and those who live in and visit them.

I retire from my formal job of teaching next year but I am hearing the whisper of the trees to be a new voice in the ever evolving world of fire ecology.

          

Reflection from AH

What materials will you use/read/share?

The most useful materials we received during the FEI Workshop were the physical materials for experiments and supplemental information.  The materials, outside of specific lesson plans, provide the best scenario for integrating subject matter into a diverse range of content areas.  It allows instructors to evaluate and integrate subject matter into the curriculum as able.

What did you think/feel about the field trips and speakers?

The field trips and speakers were the most valuable aspect of the FEI workshop.  Speaking to professionals in the field presented a new dimension to the understanding of Fire Ecology.  Field trips and speakers add a personal dimension to the subject.

Did this event contribute to your increasing awareness of the role of fire in our ecosystems and communities? 

The FEI workshop presented a unique view of the connection between ecosystems and communities.  The workshop increased awareness but also expanded my understanding of the connection.

Did you learn anything from this class that will impact your life, your classroom, your community involvement in any way? 

The class will impact my classroom by expanding their understanding of fire ecology and allowing them to apply this knowledge to becoming more active members in their community.  The topic provides numerous opportunities for students to become active members in their communities.