Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2010; Big Thicket National Preserve

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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 2010 marked the beginning of new endeavors for fire ecology program at Big Thicket National Preserve. We increased efficiency in monitoring activities and added rapid assessment plots to burn units without plots. We also utilized photo point monitoring for projects where plots were not feasible. We continued monitoring long-term fire effects plots, mechanical treatments, live fuel moisture, longleaf pine mortality, photo points, and Texas trailing phlox reintroduction. Although no one left the park for fire assignments, we assisted with prescribed burn planning and FEMO duties on eight burns and one wildfire for the Preserve. Both the fire ecologist and lead monitor created interpretative signs for kiosks where burns occurred adjacent to trails. To foster communication and share data results, the fire ecology program put together an end of season meeting for the fire and park management. The fire ecologist worked on NEPA and 106 compliance for seven categorical exclusion fuels treatment projects and a draft environmental assessment. She continued to work closely with the prescribed fire specialist on burn plan reviews and fire staff on prescribed burn planning. She facilitated meetings of an interagency longleaf pine restoration group with NPS and TNC and assisted with restoration planning and implementation. She reported survivorship from previous longleaf pine plantings, coordinated an herbicide treatment, created signs to post in restoration areas, helped plan a planting project for winter 2011 during a volunteer work week, and represented NPS at TX and LA longleaf taskforce meetings. The ecologist continued to review proposals and work with researchers conducting inventory work for an ongoing All Taxa Biotic Inventory for the Big Thicket as a member of the science committee. The lead fire effects monitor supported the fire ecologist by conducting literature reviews for the herbicide portion of the EA, compiling a fire history of the prescribed burn program at BITH to serve as an administrative record, and developing public information notices and success stories for BITH fire. The lead monitor also received an award for serving as the collateral duty safety officer for the Preserve. In addition to regular CSDO duties, she facilitated safety meetings, assisted in radon testing facilities, administered an occupational safety survey, created a NPSafe Orientation power point for new employees, coordinated Operational Leadership training, and most notably compiled the first Documented Health and Safety Plan for the Preserve in 10 years. 2 The fire ecology program at BITH would have never accomplished the plot work and the rapid assessment surveys without the dedicated seasonal crew of 2010. They were able to pick up the plot work quickly and work with new protocol with very little supervision. They also worked on a Gyrotrac mechanical treatment monitoring report which was presented to the park at the end of the season meeting.

Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2010; Big Thicket National Preserve

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