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Please join the National Key Deer Refuge as we continue our discussion from this past Thursday's November 15, 2007 Fire Management Workshop. Information from the National Key Deer Refuge Fire Management Workshop is being temporarily housed on this FAVOR website. The workshop agenda and handouts are handy references and the presentations summarize the collaborative learning approach to public participation, discuss refuge management authorities, as well as, maps and discussion of planned fire activities. Posting on the web is just one of many efforts we are under-going to ensure the public is well-informed of upcoming refuge fire activities. Check back often for additional information and updates. Here the presentation from the second, Nov. 15th workshop; click to view: Here is a list of the presentations and handouts presented at first, Nov. 3rd workshop; click on them to view:
Handouts: Refuge biologist, Paige Schmidt will be providing a free, public seminar Thursday, November 15th at 7:30 at the Big Pine Key Charter School on US Highway 1. She will discuss the ecological role of fire in maintaining and restoring the coastal saltmarsh community and the implications for recovery of the federally endangered Lower Keys marsh rabbit (Sylvilagus palustris hefneri). Feel free to contact me directly at
Paige_Schmidt@fws.gov with any
questions . I look forward to seeing you all next week. Working With Fire “Studies and experience have shown that wildfires occur less frequently, burn less intensively, and cause less damage when fuels have been reduced by prescribed burning.” (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services) Public safety agencies manage for risk reduction from home and wildfires. Public conservation land managers manage for biodiversity and habitat health. Periodic prescribed burns are essential in order to meet both of these missions. Uncontrollable wildfires due to lightning strikes occur infrequently, however when they do occur they can damage habitats and residential homes. Prescribed burns reduce these risks and promote growth of grasses and herbs important to wildlife. A group has formed to help address this threat to people, property and healthy habitat. The US Fish and Wildlife Service, FAVOR, Florida Division of Forestry, Monroe County, Big Pine Volunteer Fire Department, American Red Cross and The Nature Conservancy are cooperating on this effort. The group has spent the past year identifying and prioritizing threatened neighborhoods and developing strategies for reducing wildfire threats. These strategies include informing or assisting residents with fuel reduction, and increasing local fire suppression capabilities. Beginning in November 2002, educational activities and physical hazard reduction will begin in preparation for the dry winter wildfire season. These include information sessions for residents, Check back here for dates. When conditions are safe, the Refuge will conduct its scheduled burns, and the Division of Forestry and Nature Conservancy will further reduce fire danger on Big Pine by leading prescribed burns on bordering properties. With the support of the community, this will be the beginning of an ongoing, proactive wildfire hazard reduction program, enabling the restoration of healthy and safe pinelands Keys-wide. For more information on keeping your property safe from fires, CLICK HERE. for the FIREWISE web site. Last modified: November 20, 2007 |
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