World of Wildland Fire - A collection of educational videos
2018-02-14
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The World of Wildland Fire vision is to provide and connect fire science educators, trainers, and the public with scientifically solid and peer-reviewed teaching tools and techniques, using state-of-the-art materials, which will be free and accessible to all. This is done to significantly enhance the learning experience.

The role of insects and diseases in aspen biology
2018-02-20 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
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In part due to its vegetative strategy, western aspen is host to a large number of insects and diseases. However, only a few are agents of significant impact that can cause or warn of substantial changes in the condition of aspen clones. Environmental conditions, particularly drought stress, also play an integral role in the life cycle of the important insects and diseases of aspen, and regional droughts were the triggering factor in the initiation of the most notable instances of substantial aspen dieback and decline.

Collaborative spatial planning using the Great Basin LCC's Conservation Planning Atlas
2018-02-22 10:00 - 11:00
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The GBLCC Conservation Planning Atlas (CPA) is an important aspect of our effort to engage a landscape focus and best available science toward improving collaboration and maximizing conservation efforts in the Great Basin. Incorporating over 1000 spatial data layers related to conservation of the Great Basin region’s many natural and cultural resources, the CPA provides managers, researchers and planners from state, federal, local, NGO and private partners a valuable suite of tools for collaborative spatial planning. In short, the portal represents a single website to access regional spatial layers, decision support tools, and Great Basin LCC project information and products.
GBLCC’s Geospatial Data Specialist, Eric Jensen will be joined by Conservation Biology Institute’s Kai Henifin to share about the CPA. Together we will dive into navigation of the portal, data, tools and publications available, and the Data Basin suite of collaborative features—such as Groups, sharing and comment threads. Finally, we’ll explore current use cases and share information about how you or your group can leverage the CPA for your own projects and planning.

2018 Webinar Series: Managing cheatgrass by putting what we know into practice
2018-03-08
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Conversion of native rangelands to cheatgrass, and subsequent impacts on wildfire regimes, are one of the most challenging threats to sagebrush ecosystems today. The widespread and complex nature of the problem and lack of clarity on effective management actions are often barriers to implementing meaningful treatments and practices to reduce risks. Although there is no silver bullet, combining cheatgrass reduction treatments with promotion or restoration of perennial vegetation in an integrated, adaptive management framework can move the needle toward maintenance and recovery of functioning ecosystems. This webinar series will provide information on integrated management approaches using specific strategies and proven tools.
The series covered the following topics and featured the following presenters, follow the links to the webinar recordings:
3/8 – Cheatgrass control methods and their impacts on perennial grasses: A systematic review spanning 64 years (Tom Monaco, ARS)
Cheatgrass control_Webinar
Cheatgrass control_Summary
4/4 – Herbicides for cheatgrass: What works? (Richard Lee, BLM)
Herbicides_Webinar
Herbicides_ Summary
4/11 – Grazing to maintain perennial grasses and reduce nonnative annuals (Kirk Davies, ARS)
GrazingWeeds_Webinar
GrazingWeeds_Summary
4/25 – Capitalizing on strategic opportunities: Examples from the field (Brian Mealor, UW and Mike Pellant, BLM-retired)
Strategies_Webinar
Strategies_Summary
5/9 – Ecologically Based Invasive Plant Management (EBIPM): Lessons from the area-wide demonstration project (Roger Sheley, ARS)
EBIPM_Webinar
EBIPM_Summary
Brought to you by the Great Basin Fire Science Exchange, in partnership with the USDA/NRCS, Sage Grouse Initiative, BLM, ARS, and FS.

Cheatgrass control methods and their impacts on perennial grasses: A systematic review of 64 years
2018-03-08 11:30 - 12:30
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Reducing cheatgrass has been a primary research topic and goal of ecological restoration for over 50 years. Our work examined published studies between 1946 and 2012 to identify how a broad range of control methods influence cheatgrass and perennial grass abundance. Based on this assessment, we identify obstacles encountered in achieving desired restoration and clarify what research is needed to develop improved mechanistic control strategies. Jeremy Maestas, Ecologist, USDA-NRCS, and Tom Monaco, Ecologist at USDA-ARS and USU, present.
This webinar is the first in our 2018 Webinar Series: Moving the Needle on Cheatgrass: Putting What We Know into Practice.

US National Fire Danger Rating System: Past, present, and future
2018-03-09 12:00 - 13:00
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This seminar was presented by W. Matt Jolly and recorded by the USFS, RMRS, Missoula Fire Sciences Laboratory.

Best management practices for pollinators (talk 1) and Calculated floral resource withdrawal by managed honey bees (talk 2)
2018-03-21 08:00 - 17:00
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Talk 1: Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director, Xerces Society: Best Management Practices for Pollinators: Creating Practices that are Meaningful and Implementable for Rangelands
Talk 2: Jim Cane, Research Entomologist, USDA-ARS Pollinating Insect Research Unit: Calculated Floral Resource Withdrawal by Managed Honey Bees in Light of Native Bee Reproduction

Native bees and large mammals (talk 1) and Prairie restoration to support diverse pollinating insects (talk 2)
2018-03-21 09:00 - 10:00
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Talk 1: Mary Rowland, Research Wildlife Biologist, U.S. Forest Service; and Sandy DeBano, Associate Professor – Invertebrate Ecology, Oregon State University: Native Bees and Large Mammals: Vertebrate – Invertebrate Interactions in Riparian Natural Areas
Talk 2: Thomas Kaye, Executive Director and Senior Ecologist at the Institute for Applied Ecology: Partnering with Pollinators: Prairie Restoration to Support Diverse Pollinating Insects

Fuel treatment effectiveness in the southern Blue Mountains of Oregon
2018-03-21 10:00 - 11:00
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While fuel treatments in the dry conifer forests of the inland western U.S. are effective at reducing wildfire spread and severity at the stand-level, how effective are they at changing wildfire activity at the landscape scale? And will current management practices be sufficient as forests and climate change over the next century? Brooke Cassell presents the results of her recently-defended dissertation on the effects of fuel treatments in the southern Malheur National Forest and surrounding landscape. This study used a dynamic forest landscape model to compare alternative management strategies’ effects on wildfire activity under contemporary and extreme weather scenarios.

Quantifying post-fire recovery of rangeland productivity
2018-03-22 10:00 - 11:00
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This seminar was presented by Matt Reeves at the Missoula, MT, Rocky Mountain Research Station Fire Lab.

IFTDSS webinars recordings
2018-03-23 09:00 - 10:00
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Developing Treatment Alternatives
Treatment comparison is one of the more complex parts of the IFTDSS app. There’s no doubt that comparing landscapes is tricky business. If you find yourself scratching your head or staring at the screen a lot, join us to help take some of the mystery out of landscape comparisons! Recorded 13 April 2018.
Modeling and Reports
The beauty of IFTDSS is that nearly everything is exportable as a report or summary. With a fairly large number of items on each report it’s easy to get lost. Join us to take some of the mystery out of IFTDSS reports and reporting. Recorded 30 March 2018.
Landscapes and Editing
Trying to figure out how to edit landscapes in IFTDSS or just interested in picking up some tips and tricks to do it better? This webinar is for those trying to learn how to edit landscapes in IFTDSS to better represent their area! Recorded 23 March 2018.
IFTDSS Map Studio Demonstration
In this webinar we demonstrate using Map Studio for finding an area of interest, adding landscapes and model runs, and working with shapes and shapefiles. Recorded 16 March 2018.
Navigating IFTDSS
This demonstration highlights the overall layout of IFTDSS. It includes the Planning Cycle, file storage in My Workspace, Map Studio interface, and Modeling Playground. Recorded 9 March 2018.
IFTDSS Demonstration and Discussion
This demonstration of IFTDSS, and the following discussion, was a presentation to the Fire Science Exchange Network on September 21, 2017.

Smoke tools and information for prescribed fire and wildfire
2018-03-27 10:00 - 11:00
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The science of wildland fire smoke modeling and the tools and information available are dramatically different from what they were 10 years ago. Satellite systems, computing power, social media, and investments in basic research and research delivery such as made by the Joint Fire Sciences Program (JFSP) and NASA are some of the components driving this, as well as the need for information and guidance when widespread smoke impacts occur to large populations such as experienced this past Summer across much of the western US. This webinar provides 1) an overview of the various web-based smoke forecasting systems available in both the US and Canada, and a background of the science and information that goes into these systems, 2) directions to a one-stop-shop of particulate matter air quality monitoring data from both permanent monitoring networks, and monitors deployed during wildfires, 3) an overview of satellite information and products tailored to smoke, 4) directions on where to go to do your own smoke modeling, and finally 5) an overview of the Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program and the Air Resource Advisors deployed as part of the program to Incident Management Teams.

Scaling up collaborative restoration: What can be learned from participatory landscape simulation modeling?
2018-04-03 10:00 - 11:00
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It is widely recognized that forest restoration needs to be scaled up to landscapes. This webinar described the findings from the project “Go big or Go Home?” in the eastern Cascades of Oregon. The goals of the project were to analyze how forest collaboratives and Forest Service managers can plan and manage at landscape scales, and determine how scientific research, participatory simulation modeling, and innovations in collaborative participation can contribute to the process.

Management considerations of pollinating bats on energy farms (Talk 1) and Utility right-of-way management that supports pollinators (Talk 2)
2018-04-04 09:00 - 10:00
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Talk 1: Dave Waldien, Affiliated Scholar, Christopher Newport University: Management Considerations of Pollinating Bats on Wind and Solar Farms
Talk 2: Peter Beesley, Vegetation Program Manager, Expert – Pacific Gas and Electric Company: Utility Right-of-Way Management that Supports Pollinators and Safe Energy Transmission

Herbicides for cheatgrass: What works?
2018-04-04 11:30 - 12:30
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This webinar covers existing products that are effective and how they are applied in different situations. It will also introduce new emerging herbicides. Richard D. Lee, Integrated Pest Management Specialist, BLM National Operations Center, presents.
This webinar was the second in our 2018 Webinar Series: Moving the Needle on Cheatgrass: Putting What We Know into Practice.

Grazing to maintain perennial grasses and reduce nonnative annuals
2018-04-11 11:30 - 12:30
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This webinar discusses the benefits of altering timing of grazing to reduce annuals and maintain perennial bunchgrasses. It also discusses the detrimental impacts of repeated spring defoliation on perennials. Kirk Davies, Lead Rangeland Scientist with USDA ARS, presented.
This webinar was the third in our 2018 Webinar Series: Moving the Needle on Cheatgrass: Putting What We Know into Practice.

Fire, smoke, and air quality
2018-04-23 12:00 - 13:00
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This webinar discusses various agricultural and forestry fires and their impacts on air quality, including smoke and other air emissions. Basic Smoke Management Practices (BSMPs) will be discussed as means to minimize air quality impacts from prescribed fires.

Capitalizing on strategic opportunities: Examples from the field
2018-04-25 11:30 - 12:30
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Brian Mealor, Associate Professor and Director of the Sheridan Research and Extension Center, UW, discusses strategic opportunities where land managers can intervene to move the needle on cheatgrass. It describes the level of invasion and management strategies applicable to each. Then, Mike Pellant, Ecologist, Retired BLM, discusses post-fire opportunities, cheatgrass die-off areas, and the myths and realities of dormant season targeted grazing.
This webinar was the fourth in our 2018 Webinar Series: Moving the Needle on Cheatgrass: Putting What We Know into Practice.

Making it work: How Michigan National Forests modified LANDFIRE data for local use
2018-05-01 09:30 - 10:30
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This webinar gives a brief introduction to multiple LANDFIRE datasets and then explore how two National Forests are working to tweak LANDFIRE data to better meet their needs. We will conclude by sharing resources and ideas that may help you think through modifying LANDFIRE or other similar datasets for your use.

BehavePlus - Updates and changes
2018-05-09 11:00 - 12:00
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Webinar presented by Faith Ann Heinsch, S&K Global Solutions, RMRS Missoula Fire Lab
The webinar described major changes from version 5 to version 6, showed sample Runs demonstrating these changes, provided suggestions for calculating surface fire behavior using BehavePlus v6, described how changes in BehavePlus affect NWCG courses that use this program (e.g., S-490; RX-301/341), and provided ways to get additional information.

Ecologically based invasive plant management: Lessons from the area-wide demonstration project
2018-05-09 11:30 - 12:30
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This webinar discusses the process as well as take home messages from area-wide demonstration projects on cheatgrass reduction. Roger Sheley, USDA ARS, presented.
This webinar was the last in our 2018 Webinar Series: Moving the Needle on Cheatgrass: Putting What We Know into Practice.

Adapting wildfire management to 21st century conditions
2018-05-16 10:00 - 11:00
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This Critical Issues webinar explores recent trends in wildfires and changes in contributing factors / drivers of these hazards and features case studies of wildfire policy and management strategies in the western and southern United States.

Cheatgrass, medusahead, and ventenata: Symposium and field trip
2018-05-30 08:00 - 2018-05-31 15:00
View Part 1 (2:12) and Part II (2:08) recordings of this symposium.
This special half-day webinar symposium provides an in-depth review of three invasive grasses (cheatgrass, medusahead, ventenata) in the Western US.

Targeted grazing applied to alter fuels and reduce fire behavior metrics in shrub-grasslands
2018-05-30 11:30 - 12:30
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This webinar discusses how targeted grazing can reduce fuels to prevent wildfire in shrub-grasslands. Chris Schachtschneider, Eva Strand, and Scott Jensen, University of Idaho, present.

Empowering private landowner conservation
2018-07-12 08:00 - 17:00
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This webinar highlighted the importance of private land in species conservation efforts, innovative ways to address conservation finance, and the incentives that work for private landowners. Moderator: Chris West, Director, Rocky Mountain Regional Office of the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Panelists: Amos Eno, Executive Director/President, Resources First Foundation; Jeff Morgheim, Founder and Principal, Edge Strategic Consulting, LLC; Lesli Allison, Executive Director, Western Landowners Alliance. This webinar is one in a series for the “Species Conservation and Endangered Species Act Initiative,” the Chairman’s Initiative of Wyoming Governor and Western Governors’ Association Chairman Matt Mead.

Multi-species management and desert landscapes
2018-07-12 08:00 - 17:00
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This webinar illuminated the challenges and opportunities posed by landscape-level species management in the desert southwest. Moderator: Matt McKinney, Director of the Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Policy at the University of Montana. Panelists: Alexa Sandoval, Director, New Mexico Department of Game and Fish; John Swett, Program Manager, Lower Colorado River Multi-Species Conservation Program; Jim deVos, Assistant Director, Wildlife Management, Arizona Game and Fish Department; Bill McDonald, Executive Director, Malpai Borderlands Group. This webinar is one in a series for the “Species Conservation and Endangered Species Act Initiative,” the Chairman’s Initiative of Wyoming Governor and Western Governors’ Association Chairman Matt Mead.

Critical habitat and invasive species
2018-07-12 08:00 - 17:00
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This webinar examined how critical habitat designations are influenced by invasive species. Moderator: Chuck Bonham, Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Panelists: Dr. David Sweet, Yellowstone Lake Special Project Manager, Wyoming Trout Unlimited; Matt Morrison, Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Northwest Economic Region; Chris Crookshanks, Native Aquatics Staff Specialist, Nevada Department of Wildlife. This webinar is one in a series for the “Species Conservation and Endangered Species Act Initiative,” the Chairman’s Initiative of Wyoming Governor and Western Governors’ Association Chairman Matt Mead.

Species conservation funding
2018-07-12 08:00 - 17:00
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This webinar examined current methods of funding species conservation efforts, as well as challenges and opportunities to leveraging additional funding for conservation of at-risk and endangered species. Moderator: Timothy Male, Executive Director at the Environmental Policy Innovation Center. Panelists: Christy Plumer, Chief Conservation Officer, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership; Virgil Moore, Director, Idaho Department of Fish and Game and Gary Frazer, Assistant Director for Endangered Species, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This webinar is part the Species Conservation and ESA Initiative.

8th Annual Sage-Grouse Initiative Workshop - Lessons and photos
2018-07-13 08:00 - 17:00
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More than 135 conservation partners recently met in Boise, Idaho during the Sage Grouse Initiative’s 8th annual workshop. This year’s workshop focused on wildfire, weeds and rangeland restoration.
Over the course of two days we heard from ranchers, firefighters, researchers, local non-profits and public land managers about the amazing results that come from working together locally to achieve a shared vision: healthy sagebrush rangelands for people and wildlife.

Home and landscape wildfire defense lessons learned from the 2017 California wildfire season
2018-07-16 08:00 - 17:00
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How could have so many homes and businesses burned so quickly in the Wine Country Fires? While the landscape can be the fuse, the homes really can be the most burnable part of the landscape. For this webinar we’ll talk about key lesson that can be learned from these northern California fires and how we can help our homes and landscapes to become more resilient to wildfires. This webinar will bring forward information about fire preparedness, building design, construction and maintenance in with an emphasis identifying and managing the fuels near our homes (e.g. combustible wood mulches used in landscaping, lawn furniture, leaf accumulations, dry landscape plants, etc.), especially in the 5 feet immediately adjacent to our homes.
