Fire University

Dr. Luke Kelly, Associate Professor in Quantitative Ecology at the University of Melbourne, joins us to discuss his research on fire and biodiversity in Australia, focusing on the diverse ecosystems, the challenges posed by changing fire regimes, and the role of grazing and invasive species. We explore the importance of understanding plant traits in relation to fire resilience and the ongoing biod...

We are joined by Dr. Adam Pellegrini, Associate Professor in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Cambridge, to better understand how ecosystems respond to global change. Dr. Pellegrini breaks down how fire maintains and affects carbon cycling and how these key processes shape ecosystems worldwide. This podcast is supported by   listener donations - thank you for being a part of t...

Dr. Kendall Calhoun of UCLA and UC Davis joins us to discuss the impact of megafires on wildlife communities. We delve into what defines a megafire, explore his research on wildlife and habitat responses to megafires, and discuss both the positive and negative effects of these events. This podcast is supported by listener donations - thank you for being a part of this effort.  Resources: Calhoun,...

Dr. Molly Hunter joins us to discuss her work with the Joint Fire Science Program and the Fire Science Exchange Network, two organizations established to support fireland science research, provide science-based decisions to managers, and foster collaboration between scientists and practitioners. We also discuss the importance of measuring outcomes and the roles that trust and collaboration play in...

Kim Sash, the Biological Monitoring Coordinator for Tall Timbers Research Station, joins us to shed light on how fire shapes reptilian and amphibian habitat, the challenges of applying fire regimes to wetland management, and how fire is used to help conserve these fascinating creatures. This podcast is supported by listener donations - thank you for being a part of this effort. Resources: Bailey,...

Dr. Ben Sikes, Associate Professor of Microbial Ecology at the University of Kansas, joins us to shed light on the fascinating relationships between fungi and fire. Learn of the interconnection between plants created by mycorrhizal networks (AKA the "wood wide web"), how fire regimes drive changes in fungal communities, the mechanisms of carrying out fungal research, and much more. This podcast is...

Carolina and Marcus sit down with Ciera Rhodes of Quail Forever to discuss the importance of using fire when managing for gamebirds, programs and agencies available to assist landowners with management practices and funding, and best fire practices for maximizing quail on your property. This podcast is supported by  listener donations - thank you for being a part of this effort. Resources: NRCS EQ...

Dr. Anthony Taylor, Associate Professor of Forest Management at the University of New Brunswick, joins Carolina to discuss the Canadian wildfires, the implications of climate change on our ecological and human communities, and what tools can help mitigate these effects moving forward. This podcast is supported by listener donations - thank you for being a part of this effort.  Resources: Wang, J.,...

Dr. Istvan Kereszy joins Marcus and Carolina to discuss his company: Fire Neural Network. Learn how artificial intelligence is used to detect high-risk lightning, how it is currently being applied to fight wildfires across the globe, and how we can continue to benefit from this technology moving forward. This podcast is supported by listener donations - thank you for being a part of this effort. R...

We welcome Dr. Carolina Baruzzi, Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology & Management at the University of Florida, who joins Marcus as our new co-host of Fire University! Hear about their previous work together, Dr. Baruzzi's research interests, and their ideas for the series moving forward.  This podcast is supported by listener donations - thank you for being a part of this effort. Resources fr...

Marcus is joined by Jenn Fawcett, Extension Associate & SERPPAS Prescribed Fire Work Group Coordinator for NC State University. Join as they discuss the various avenues of education and coordination available to landowners across the southeast wanting to get fire on their land.  This podcast is supported by listener donations - thank you for being a part of this effort. Resources from the episode:...

Marcus is joined by Laurel Kays, Fire Learning Network Manager of The Nature Conservancy. Learn of the programs and networking support in which fire professionals are helping landowners to understand and navigate getting fire on their lands. This podcast is supported by listener donations - thank you for being a part of this effort. Resources from the episode: Fire Learning Network Project Firehaw...

Dr. Marcus Lashley is joined by Dr. Kevin Robertson, Fire Ecology Research Scientist at Tall Timbers Research Station. Listen as they discuss Dr. Robertson's recent research assessing how fire affects the restoration of pine savannas over a 100 year period. This podcast is supported by listener donations - thank you for being a part of this effort. Resources: Research study discussed: Pine savanna...

In this episode of Fire University, Marcus chats with Dr. Victoria Donovan, Assistant Professor of Forest Management at the University of Florida. Join as they discuss her past research understanding the roles of fire dynamics across plant and animal communities, as well as future research programs to continue understanding how fire shapes communities within spatio-temporal scales. This podcast is...

Earlier this year, we created an online Fire Training Course to teach and train participants on how to use prescribed fire to reach land management objectives. We had fire experts join a panel discussion to answer questions and share their knowledge on the fundamentals of implementing fire and connecting with fire communities. This episode is that panel discussion. This podcast is supported by lis...

Whether it's from fear of red meat allergy or Lyme's disease, it's safe to say that most people don't hope to find a tick on them during routine checks. In this episode, Marcus introduces longtime friend and newly hired UF Assistant Professor of Wildlife Ecology and Management Dr. Carolina Baruzzi. Join as they break down their recent (unreleased) study assessing the effects that fire timing and d...

The species you hunt need habitat year round. Now is a key time to evaluate your habitat management outcomes and plan for upcoming applications. Join Marcus as he chats with old friend and colleague Dr. Will Gulsby, Associate professor at Auburn University, as they discuss what you can do during the July heat.  This podcast is supported by listener donations - thank you for being a part of this ef...

We talk a lot about the aspects of habitat that wildlife use the most…but what about the unique habitat features wildlife use infrequently but are critical to their survival? For this episode, Marcus sits down with good colleagues and friends Dr. Colter Chitwood and Dr. Dwayne Elmore of Oklahoma State University to discuss this concept with gamebirds, box turtles, and more. This podcast is support...

Providing lactating does and their fawns with high-quality forage and cover is integral for both their nutrition and survival. In the southeast, fire is one of the leading management tools used to increase the quality of white-tailed deer habitat. For this episode, Marcus sits down with deer expert Dr. Bronson Strickland of the MSU Deer Lab to discuss details on what factors play a role in creatin...

In today's episode, @DrDisturbance chats with Dr. Stephen Pyne, author and professor at Arizona State University who specializes in fire history. Come travel back in time as he walks us through the evolution of fire on the North American landscape, human relationship with fire in the environment, and problems we face now and in the future.  This podcast is supported by listener donations - thank y...

In this episode of Fire University, Marcus chats with Dr. Katie Greenberg, research ecologist of upland hardwood ecology and management for the USDA Forest Service . Join as they discuss findings from long-term research treatments studying the effects of fire intensity on disturbance-dependent species. From open savannahs to upland oaks, you'll learn the history of fire on the North American lands...

It's the 5th and final day of #WildTurkeyWeek, and to wrap it up we've brought on hunting lease manager and wildlife biologist Ryan Basinger of Westervelt Wildlife Services . This episode puts you in the shoes of a landowner managing a 25 year old loblolly pine stand. How do your strategies change depending on targeted species and what are the trade-offs involved? Tune in to find out this and more...

For Day 4 of #WildTurkeyWeek, we've brought on Ted DeVos, co-owner of Bach and DeVos Forestry and Wildlife Services . Ted has over 22 years of experience helping landowners as a consulting forester and wildlife biologist. In this episode, he breaks down the vital components of turkey habitat management, the resources and programs available to landowners wanting to use prescribed fire, and the resp...

For Day 3 of #WildTurkeyWeek, we've brought on Chipper Gibbes from Whitetail Properties to talk turkey habitat management. Join us as Chipper reveals how he uses fire in tandem with other land management strategies to create his ideal turkey habitat. This podcast is supported by listener donations - thank you for being a part of this effort. Resources Episode Host:  Dr. Marcus Lashley - @DrDisturb...

For #WildTurkeyWeek Day 2,  we're sitting down with turkey lover and fire enthusiast David Hawley of the Wild Turkey Report . Hear from David on how he manages his land for wild turkey using prescribed fire, discusses how turkey habitat management has evolved over generations, and shares what future generations can do to help this beloved species. This podcast is supported by listener donations -...