Fire Ecology Annual Report: Calendar Year 2010; Southern Great Lakes Area Parks (INDU, LIBO, & SLBE)

Fisher-Dunham, Mary; Weyenberg, Scott

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). This was the 13th year of the fire effects program at Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore (INDU). This year’s staff included one permanent and three seasonal positions. The crew is responsible for the monitoring at INDU and two other parks: Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial (LIBO) and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (SLBE). At INDU, thirteen prescribed fires were completed. No fires were completed at LIBO or SLBE. A fire was scheduled for spring at SLBE, but due to weather issues it did not occur. It is tentatively re-scheduled for 2011. The fire ecologist and lead monitor completed a thorough review of the INDU Fire Effects program. In July, the fire ecologist visited INDU for week to assess how the protocol changes initiated by the review were working. In August, the fire ecologist, prescribed fire specialist and lead monitor met with LIBO staff to discuss and review the updated LIBO fire management plan. Summer monitoring of the LIBO plots was also conducted during the visit.