Discover Wellness

The coursework and training required for this certification, included passing an endurance test (3mi walk with 45-pound pack in 45 min) and completing courses on fire behavior, safety, emergency management, and equipment handling. The subject matter paired very well with my schooling in conservation biology, in the sense that frequent fire disturbance is key to creating and maintaining wildlife habitat, especially in the south-eastern US. 

Fire has long played a critical role in the landscape and ecosystems across the Southeast. Early colonists who arrived on the land that would become the U.S. commented on the Native Americans' extensive use of wildland fire to achieve several land management objectives, including hunting habitat, travel, and protection. This frequent fire use helped shape the landscapes colonists experienced upon arrival, such as the iconic longleaf pine ecosystem. 

With that being said, I encourage everyone to read the short article titled A World of Wounds by Carl Betsill. This article, in particular is what piqued my interest in wildland fire. The article depicts early explorer observations of the Southeast before colonization (see pdf link). These descriptions are very different from what we observe now, leading to a broader perspective on type and frequency of disturbance, specifically how fire disturbance drastically shifts landscape composition over time. Let me know what you all think, were you surprised by any of this information?

By Faith Bradshaw