Fire Ecology: Resource Management Education

In 1995 federal agencies at the National Interagency Fire Center produced an education unit entitled Fire Ecology–Resource Management Education Unit. (Authors: Michele Mazzei-Cox, Gary W. Mullins, Pat Durland, Bill Clark, and Robert Huggins). The document is now out of print but can be found on the National Park Service web site at http://fire.nps.gov/fire/ecology/docs/ecolinit.html or indirectly through the National Interagency Fire Center's site containing numerous web links at http:/www.nifc.gov/preved/. Contents within the web–based document are:

Teacher Background Information Student Background Information Activities: Fire Adaptations Hot Questions Fire Feelings Reporting the Blazes Fire Field Trip Fire In My Backyard Glossary of Fire Terms Fire References Teacher Evaluation Form

A primary goal of this fire ecology packet is to help teachers and students become better informed about land management issues and the responsibilities of resource management agencies. These materials can be infused into existing curricula and focus attention on current societal issues such as public land management, management of natural resources, and conflict resolution. The included exercises are also designed to help educators achieve curriculum objectives of improved writing, verbal, and cognitive skills.

A 15–page "Teacher Background Information" section provides an overview of biological, social, cultural, and management content related to wildland fire. Six units, along with student background materials, are targeted to students who work in the 5–9 grade levels. One unit, "Reporting the Blazes," is included as a sample of this Resource Management Education Unit.

 

Reporting the Blazes | Activity | Media Coverage of the 1988 Yellowstone Fires | Reporting the Blazes Quiz