Fire Ecology Annual Report, Big Thicket National Preserve, Calendar Year 2009

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A summary of fire ecology activities and program information for the Park/network including fire effects plot workload, staffing, management objectives and monitoring results, and planning, fire monitoring, communications, and research. Also included are staff accomplishments/areas of focus, future program direction and other optional information (e.g. data analysis graphics or presentations, annual highlights, publications, program challenges, unique solutions to problems, collaboration, photographs of monitoring/fire activities, and suggestions on FFI). The year 2009 proved to be very productive in spite of the significant amount of sick leave used by both the fire ecologist for maternity leave, and the lead fire effects monitor who underwent two knee surgeries. Although both remained on light duty for the summer, they managed to successfully lead the fire effects monitoring crew and provide support to the fire management program. Fire Effects Monitoring: This field season monitors collected most of the data representing the damage from Hurricane Ike, which occurred in September 2008. Due to the amount of change to the downed woody fuel loading and overstory tree mortality, many of the objectives for fire management will have to be rewritten. During 2010, the monitors should capture any delayed mortality effects from Hurricane Ike, and fire ecologist will assess the burn units and adjust prescribed burn and monitoring objectives to more accurately reflect the conditions of the Preserve. In January 2010, the fire ecology program received converted data to be used in FFI and this field season staff will learn how to use the program and quality check the data. Additionally, the lead monitor administered live fuel moisture data submitted to the national database. This data is collected on Ilex vomitoria (yaupon) every two weeks throughout the year. Pinus palustris (longleaf pine) Restoration Work: In January, the fire ecologist coordinated a volunteer workweek of 12 students from Saint Michael’s College who conducted a variety of service work including planting longleaf pine seedlings around the new fire management facility. The fire ecologist also supervised the contract planting of 24,000 longleaf pine seedlings within 76 acres of Big Thicket National Preserve as part of a joint grant with The Nature Conservancy from America’s Forest Global ReLeaf Program. This grant was submitted by the fire ecologist and TNC’s Big Thicket Project Director in efforts to restore longleaf pine in areas of hurricane damage within BITH and TNC property. The fire effects monitoring crew monitored the seedling survivorship during the 2 growing season to keep track of restoration success. The fire ecologist continues to facilitate meetings and coordinate work among the Longleaf Pine Restoration Team which consists of the Preserve’s resource management staff and local TNC staff. Fire Management Activities: Although staff did not go on any western fire assignments, the fire ecology program supported fire management activities at Big Thicket, Padre Island National Seashore, and local partners such as TNC and FWS. The fire ecologist helped with fire suppression as a fire fighter on a FWS wildfire, assisted overhead on a wildfire at PAIS, and worked as a FFT1 and FEMO on several TNC and NPS prescribed burns during the first half of the year. The lead fire effects monitor worked as a FEMO on NPS prescribed burns before going on light duty in March. The lead monitor also coordinated and helped teach two 130/190 classes with BITH staff, one at the Preserve and the other at Padre Island. Overall, approximately 50 students were trained from a diverse group of federal, state, AD employees, and members of volunteer fire departments. Endangered Species Monitoring (Phlox nivalis ssp. texensis, Texas Trailing Phlox): The fire ecologist worked to improve a PMIS proposal for the endangered Texas Trailing Phlox reintroduction at Big Thicket and supervised an i

Fire Ecology Annual Report, Big Thicket National Preserve, Calendar Year 2009

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