Fire Congress Update, Awards, and Certification
2021 Fire Congress Goes All Virtual!

Like many of you, we were really looking forward to being together in Sandestin for the 9th International Fire Ecology and Management Congress. However, with the status of the pandemic and travel restrictions, we have decided this is no longer possible and we are in the process of shifting from a hybrid event to a fully virtual event. This decision reflects feedback from the respondents to our recent survey (thank you!) and discussions by the AFE Board, the Fire Congress Program Committee, and our co-host Tall Timbers.

While we know there is “zoom” fatigue out there, we also recognize the pressing need to share and discuss the latest in fire ecology, especially considering the current and recent fire seasons. Our goal is to create an interactive and productive event, and we believe the virtual format will allow for more accessibility and participation than ever before!

Our program will contain:
  • Live and on-demand presentations with Q&A
  • Poster session with short videos, a student poster contest, and live presenter interaction
  • Fire Circle discussions around important wildland fire topics
  • Exhibit hall with several options for interaction, including video meetings
  • Organized networking sessions, as well as informal opportunities to connect via chat and video meetings at anytime
  • Virtual workshops and virtual field tours with live Q&A
  • Access to virtual platform and all content/presentations for at least 6 months

We will be reaching out to everyone who has submitted a proposal and registered to discuss options for changing from in-person to virtual participation. Your patience is appreciated while we make these changes.

The remaining submission deadlines for Call for Presentations are coming up very soon! Please get your proposals in, and check the website for virtual presentation options.

Award Nominations: Due August 30
Recognizing and celebrating leadership, achievements, and excellence is an important part of moving the field of fire ecology and management forward. Nominations are being accepted in the following award categories:


Please consider who you can nominate, and help spread the word to others to submit a nomination this year.
Certification Applications: Due September 1
AFE has several pathways for being professionally certified in wildland fire and fuels management and science. Becoming certified acknowledges your education, experience, and accomplishments and offers employers a way to identify you as a recognized wildland fire or fuels professional. 

You can now substitute continuing education activities for the required coursework in two core subject areas: 1) fire ecology and 2) fire science and management. This change acknowledges that some applicants graduated before these courses were available and that some academic institutions do not offer them.
 
AFE suggests that you become re-certified at least every five years to provide employers, collaborators, and evaluators with valuable information on the time relevance of your certification. The application is a simple letter detailing continued education, coursework, and professional improvement since your last certification.
 
AFE also certifies academic programs at universities and colleges. With the many wildland fire programs to choose from, certified programs can attract more students into their programs. Students who graduate from an AFE Certified Program will qualify for an expedited application process to become Certified Wildland Fire Professionals. 
Student Travel Grants
TREE grants are designed to help graduate students in the U.S. present at conferences, symposia, workshops, or other events related to wildland fire science and management. With virtual events continuing and in-person events starting again, now is the perfect time to take advantage of these professional development opportunities and share your research with others.
AFE Jobs Board
Positions are regularly posted on the AFE Jobs Board for employment opportunities in fire ecology and management.

Have a job you'd like us to post? Email the description to office@fireecology.net.
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Join AFE
Join or renew your membership today! Your membership provides important support for AFE's programs and services that seek to improve the knowledge and use of fire in land management through science and education.