Northeast – Midwest Regional Prescribed Fire Science and Management Workshop
20 States; One Shared Mission
August 19-22, 2024
A workshop for all wildland fire management partners across the 20 state NE-MW region to share region-wide, science-based, fire ecology information oriented toward expanding and maintaining the use of prescribed fire across all landscapes, jurisdictions, and fire-dependent ecosystems.
Sponsored by
Northeast Regional Strategy Committee (NE RSC), a regional organization chartered by the national Wildland Fire Leadership Council (WFLC) to coordinate and support implementation of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy across the 20 Northeast and Midwest states.
Field Trip to Albany Pine Bush Preserve 
Wednesday 9:00 – 2:00, includes transportation, lunch, snacks and amazing education!
The workshop has been approved for the Society of American Foresters (SAF) Continuing Education.
- Monday – Smoke TOOLS Workshop = 5
- Monday – Fire History Workshop = 4
- Tuesday = 5.5
- Wednesday = 3
- Thursday = 5
Our (Albany) Storybook: People of Fire in Time and Place
Storytelling can be a powerful tool for building interest, understanding, and support of prescribed fire. Capturing our creativity in a storybook has the engaging power to center our thinking, influence our beliefs, put us in touch with our feelings and help us understand ourselves and one another better. We will provide each of you a storybook following the workshop arc of wildland fires’ past, present and future. This storybook is designed to help you scribe and/or draw your characters, challenges, and opportunities to develop your own story of fire🔥
Workshop Objectives
This regional workshop will:
- Provide a forum for all wildland fire management partners to share region-wide, science-based, fire ecology information oriented toward expanding and maintaining the use of prescribed fire across all landscapes, jurisdictions, and fire-dependent ecosystems.
- Provide an opportunity for scientists, managers, and practitioners across the 20-state region to share prescribed fire related experiences, successes, and potential solutions to implementation challenges.
- Provide an opportunity for agency leaders and managers to interact with state prescribed fire councils and other key partners.
- Serve as a model for future annual or biennial workshops.
Registration is now open!
Registration includes access to all sessions, lunch each day, field tour on Wednesday, and all social and networking events.
| Early Rate (before 7/01) | Regular Rate (after 7/02) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full conference registration | $400 | $450 |
| Student registration | $200 | $200 |
| One day registration | $200 | $200 |
| Smoke TOOLS Workshop | $50 deposit, will be returned after completion of the course |
Pre-workshop Opportunities
We are offering two pre-workshop training sessions on Monday, August 19th. You can register for these sessions when you register for the workshop.
Smoke TOOLS Workshop
10:00 - 5:00 pm
Fire History in the Northeast US: Understanding Long-term Fire Regime and Forest Change with Tree Rings and Fire Scars
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Smoke management and smoke hazards are one of the most important things to plan for and manage when doing a prescribed burn, or to consider during any wildfire suppression. This 2/3rd day is an active participation “hands-on” workshop where we will work through exercises using online smoke tools, and is designed for anybody with an interest in wildland fire. This is a good introductory workshop for anyone – those who have not had much smoke modeling and management exposure, or as an excellent refresher for those who have had another smoke course. Learn more about the general course.
You will need to bring a laptop to participate and there is some pre-work required.
Instructors – Alexia Prosperi, Air Quality Specialist, Eastern Region (WI), USFS and Ralph Perron, Air Quality Specialist, Eastern Region (NH), USFS
There is a $50 deposit required upon registration, to secure your seat. This deposit will be returned to you upon completion of the workshop. Space is limited to 35 people and will be on a first come first serve basis, therefore we need a firm commitment of your attendance.
The purpose of this workshop is to provide an introduction to the methods and management implications of tree-ring and fire scar-based fire history datasets in the northeastern US. Instruction for field sample identification, collection, and preparation, laboratory techniques, tree-ring crossdating, and fire-scar interpretation will be provided. Recent research on the historical ecology of fire-adapted red pine, pitch pine, Table mountain, and eastern white pine in the northeastern US will be shared. Additionally, broader context of the history of fire in eastern U.S. ecosystems will be discussed. This workshop will be hands-on, with opportunities to view and analyze fire-scar samples from across the northeastern US. Attendees will 1) gain an understanding for how tree-ring investigations are conducted, and 2) become aware of recent developments in understanding forest changes and fire research in the northeastern US and beyond.
Insturctors: Joseph Marschall, Center for Tree-Ring Science, University of Missouri; Daniel Dey, USDA FS Northern Research Station; and Chris Guiterman, CIRES University of Colorado Boulder, and NOAA’s NCEI
Organizers: Joseph Marschall, Michael Stambaugh, Center for Tree-Ring Science, University of Missouri and Daniel Dey.
Call for Posters & Poster Slam
We invite abstracts for poster presentations! Presenting at this workshop is a phenomenal way to interact with wildland fire science and management professionals from across the 20 state NE-MW region.
Poster Slam! A little bit info-mercial, a little bit theater, a little bit of unknown, as each presenter is given 30 seconds, 1 powerpoint slide, and the artistic license to showcase and advertise their work. This rapid fire start to the poster session will be sure to entertain and energize as well as encourage participants to visit poster presenters!
Who Should Submit a Proposal?
YOU! All are invited and welcome to submit a poster proposal, including students, fire councils, PBAs, and professionals across all disciplines and career levels. We need your voices to create a diverse program that informs on a variety of topics.
We invite scientific posters as well as case studies, lessons learned and project/program updates.
The workshop objectives are to:
- Provide a forum for all wildland fire management partners to share region-wide, science-based, fire ecology information oriented toward expanding and maintaining the use of prescribed fire across all landscapes, jurisdictions, and fire-dependent ecosystems.
- Provide an opportunity for scientists, managers, and practitioners across the 20-state region to share prescribed fire related experiences, successes, and potential solutions to implementation challenges.
- Provide an opportunity for agency leaders and managers to interact with state prescribed fire councils and other key partners.
Abstracts will be accepted until August 1.
All accepted presenters must register and pay for the workshop, and must be present during the poster session. Posters may be left up for the entire workshop.
Side/Attached Meetings
We invite your agency, organization, group, or committee to hold an attached meeting in conjunction with our workshop.
The number of Attached Meetings is limited by meeting room availability, so please submit your proposal early.
Organizers and participants must be registered for the conference. Organizers will be responsible for inviting and communicating with their participants. Additional costs for food and beverage service, speaker phones, and other audio-visual equipment will be the responsibility of the meeting organizer.
Venue and Accommodations
The Hilton Albany
40 Lodge Street
Albany, NY 12207
The workshop will be held at The Hilton Albany. We have secured a block of rooms at $114/night + tax. Make your reservation below using the link or by calling the 1(800)Hilton reservation line and providing the code “3PFSM”.
The room block is from Sunday – Thursday; if available, the hotel will honor the rate 2 days pre and post workshop.
Make your reservation before August 6th to be guaranteed the quoted rate.
On site parking is available in our attached parking garage at a discounted rate of $10 per car per night. Large vehicles can be parked right in front of the hotel with advance notice. Please contact Erika or Patricia directly at 518-427-3018 to arrange accordingly.
Sponsors and Exhibitors
Join us in supporting and/or attending the NE-MW Regional Prescribed Fire Science and Management Workshop —being held in Albany, New York, at The Hilton Albany August 19 – 22, 2024.
In addition to the robust program, we will host an exhibition for those interested in gaining excellent exposure to 250 + individuals who will come together in Albany. The audience will include Federal, State, and local decision-makers at all levels. There will be 5 hours of dedicated time with the exhibitors and sponsors, including six 30-minute networking breaks and a two-hour social event on Tuesday evening in the exhibitor hall.
Who Will Be There
This Workshop is Mission Critical for anyone working on these issues in local, state, Tribal, and federal agencies and organizations, as well as non-governmental organizations and private companies in the Midwest and Northeast regions:
- State, Federal, and Tribal land managers, agency administrators and fire managers
- Federal, State and Private natural resource planning specialists
- Prescribed Fire Councils
- Prescribed Burn Associations
- Prescribed Fire Contractors
- NGO Fire Practitioners
- Fire Ecologists
- Local planning officials
- Emergency management and law enforcement personnel
- Wildfire risk reduction and post fire recovery practitioners
- County and city management
- Utilities management
- Insurance industry leaders
Exhibitor Table
$650 for commercial display, $450 for non-profit display
INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
- One 8-foot skirted table
- Two chairs
- Wireless internet
- Electricity upon request
- Full registration for one representative
- Invitation to all sessions and social events.
Exhibitor Details
- Set up: Monday afternoon and evening, August 19
- Show times: Tuesday – Thursday mid-morning and mid-afternoon networking breaks.
- Social event with the workshop guests: Tuesday Evening
- Tear down: Thursday, August 22, after the afternoon networking break.
Sponsorship Levels
Gold Sponsor ($5000)
- Acknowledgment as Gold Sponsor on the workshop webpage.
- Name printed on workshop banners/signs/screen savers.
- 1 Pop-Up Banner placed in a prominent place at the workshop (sponsor to supply banner).
- Complimentary exhibit table (includes one representative)
- Complimentary registration for an additional 3 representatives.
- Opportunity to address the attendees from the stage.
- Specific mention of sponsor at welcome and closing sessions
Silver ($2500)
- Acknowledgment as Silver Sponsor on the workshop webpage.
- Company name printed on workshop banners/signs/screen savers.
- Complimentary exhibit table (includes one representative)
- Complimentary registration for an additional 2 representatives.
- Opportunity to address the attendees from the stage.
- Specific mention of sponsor at welcome and closing sessions.
Bronze ($1500)
- Acknowledgment as Bronze Sponsor on the workshop webpage.
- Company name printed on workshop banners/signs/screen savers.
- complimentary exhibit table (includes one representative)
- complimentary registration for an additional 1 representative.
- Opportunity to address the attendees from the stage.
- Specific mention of sponsor at welcome and closing sessions.
Supporting Sponsor ($500)
- Acknowledgment as Supporting Sponsor on the workshop webpage.
- Company name printed on workshop banners/signs/screen a.
- Specific mention of sponsor at welcome and closing sessions.
Contact Us
For more information, contact our workshop organizer, Mikel Robinson, Email or Phone (406) 625-7049
