E-learning module on Wildland Fire and Forest Carbon Management

With funding from USDA NIFA, FCCP and partners have developed e-learning content and graphics to explore and communicate the complex interactions between wildland fire and forest carbon as climate change drastically alters fire regimes away from historical norms and baselines. There has been a lack of educational programs to help managers and landowners navigate the complex and dynamic interactions between fire, carbon, climate, and forests. FCCP has addressed these gaps by integrating fire into existing curricula on forest carbon management, further strengthening the applicability of course content and empowering forest managers and landowners with practical knowledge for a changing climate.

An expert panel, assembled from personnel at 12 extension institutions and 11 additional organizations, outlined educational content and identified gaps in manager and landowner understanding. This work will continue to inform the creation of a nationally focused and interactive e-module on forest carbon and fire management in a changing climate. Fire was also integrated into regional modules on forest carbon and climate currently that have already been developed; a “menu” of climate adaptation strategies and approaches to carbon management in the context of changing fire regimes will be develop by region and beta tested by the assembled panel. A short video targeting forest landowners will be produced and made freely available along with all graphic content created for e-modules. Feedback from our regional expert panel helped to revise all educational materials. Summative syntheses and created educational resources will be presented and promoted at two national webinars and two national symposiums. This work will foster an applied understanding of carbon, climate, and fire relationships to equip managers and landowners with the information they need to sustainably manage US forests.