Special Sessions

Organizers: Aaron Flesch, University of Arizona; Miguel Villarreal, USGS; Jamie Sanderlin, USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station; Jose Iniguez, USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station; Alexis Neukirch, Rocky Mountain Research Station; Molly McCormick, Southwest Fire Science Consortium, Northern Arizona University

The influence of shifting fire regimes and climate on wildlife and vegetation is unclear but essential for guiding management. Through a set of talks and audience feedback of products and tools, we seek to assist managers and stakeholders in adaptive practices for conserving biodiversity and enhance communication.

Organizer: Ariel Léger, Conservation and Adaptation Resources Toolbox

Climate change presents new challenges for managing fire-adapted and non-fire adapted ecosystems in the Southwest. Presenters will share lessons learned from case studies that feature examples of implemented climate adaptation projects and discuss what is needed to scale climate adaptation in the region.

Organizers: Mary Lata, Tonto National Forest and Christopher Jones, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension

The ecological future of the Sonoran Desert is largely unknown. Many native desert species have adaptations that allow them to survive fire, but historic fire regimes are poorly understood. Introduced grasses are converting large areas into frequent fire regimes. Improved understanding of ecological trajectories is needed to identify sustainable management.

Organizers: Cara Caruolo, Northern Arizona University; Clare Aslan, Northern Arizona University; Ann Youberg, University of Arizona; Zander Evans, Forest Stewards Guild; Lara Prihodko, New Mexico State University, CLIMAS

Current research explores how ecological recovery from wildfire events across the Southwest creates landscape resilience to future fire events. Ecosystems in the Southwest range from the Sonoran Desert to the Rocky Mountains, impacting how different groups (eg. tribal communities, federal agencies, fire personnel, local communities, etc.) manage landscapes and navigate methods of recovery to achieve resilience. In this session we will discuss the varying factors that contribute to ecological recovery and resilience in the Southwest.

Organizer: Catrin Edgeley, Northern Arizona University

This session discusses an assortment of research and practice conducted in the Southwest to advance human community adaptation to wildfire.

Organizer: Kit O’Connor, USFS RMRS

In this hybrid special session we will host two groups of presenters each followed by a discussion panel.  The session includes leading researchers and practitioners who are integrating science and innovation into fire management, from planning and policy to execution and post-fire assessment.  Participants will have an opportunity to learn about new research and applications and to engage directly with presenters in an interactive discussion following each four-presenter block.

Organizers: Kevin Willson, University of New Mexico; Matthew Hurteau, University of New Mexico

Increasing fire and drought frequency and intensity presents a challenge to conifer forest resilience and persistence across the southwestern US. This session addresses regional trends in fire and drought, their effects on tree physiology and forest function, and management techniques to better prepare forests for changing climate and disturbance regimes.

Organizers: Courtney Schultz, Colorado State University; Paul Hessburg, USDA Forest Service; Don Hankins, Chico State University

This session will focus on Native communities’ priorities for fire stewardship of ancestral territories and the restoration of lifeways and will include people from/working with multiple tribal communities to discuss their experiences and priorities for improvements in policy and practice. In addition, we will focus on specific policy barriers and challenges, and governance strategies that are effective or desirable for promoting Native Nations’ sovereignty and right to self-determination within their ancestral lands and communities. We will leave space for discussion at the end of each session to share experiences and workshop ideas. 

Organizers: Blanca Cespedes, New Mexico Highlands University; Michael Remke, New Mexico Highlands University; Crystal Medina, New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute

NMHU Forestry Department faculty and students in collaboration with the New Mexico Forest and Watershed Restoration Institute staff propose a session based on sharing research and educational initiatives to support recovery efforts and restore a fire culture in the Hermit’s Peak Calf Canyon burn scar area in northeastern NM.

Organizers: Christopher Jones, University of Arizona Cooperative Extension; Mary Lata, Tonto National Forest

The active and management of fire in the Sonoran Desert is a complex undertaking that incorporates ecological, budgetary, operational, and practical constraints. These variables all exist in the management of fire in forests, grasslands, and shrublands across the country, but applying them to the Sonoran Desert is a fairly new undertaking with many lessons to be learned.

Organizers: Rachel Loehman, US Geological Survey; Sandra L. Haire, Haire Laboratory for Landscape Ecology

Ecosystem responses to changing climate and fire regimes can be abrupt, and unanticipated. Models – powerful predictors of future conditions – often lack clear pathways to integration with management objectives. We identify challenges in applying models to land management and opportunities for better alignment with decision-making processes and priorities.

Organizer: Kit O’Connor, USFS RMRS

This session will explore the rapid adoption of the strategic pre-fire planning framework across the Western US, the strengths and limitations of its components, and innovative new directions to extend the pre-fire planning process to incorporate the complexity and nuance of place-based science.

Organizer: Sam Berry, Tribal Fire Working Group/Forest Stewards Guild

Since time immemorial, fire has been a prominent character in the story of how Tribes, Pueblos, and Tribal Nations have related to and stewarded the land. This special session focuses on current efforts to manage land and fire on Tribal and ancestral lands and where tribal management is headed.

Organizers: Wills DeGrandpre, Northern Arizona University; Catrin Edgeley, Northern Arizona University; Sarah Devenport, Northern Arizona University

This session shares findings from Joint Fire Science Program-funded research to reduce human-caused ignitions in the Southwest. Presentations include GIS analysis of human-caused ignitions, investigating regulatory strategies, surveys of recreationists, interviews with prevention specialists, and focus groups with managers and residents, all informed by science-management partnership with agencies and scientists.