Wildland fire management is among the most pressing contemporary socioecological problems in North America. Recent record-breaking wildland fire seasons in British Columbia, Alberta, the Yukon, Northwest Territories, and western United States have resulted in millions of hectares burned annually with significant human and environmental costs.

Presented from both Indigenous and western perspectives, the Fundamentals of Wildland Fire Ecology and Management program provides a unique learning opportunity that combines knowledge of western fire science and Indigenous ways of knowing with landscape and fire ecology and social sciences to address a vital need for professional training in the increasingly complex area of wildfire management.

Outcomes

Upon successful completion of Course 1, learners will be able to:

• Describe the general role of fuels, topography, and weather (i.e., the ‘fire triangle’) on fire behaviour and fire effects.
• Explain fire regimes and describe how they vary throughout British Columbia.
• Identify and explain similarities and differences in Indigenous and western concepts of fire regimes.

Upon successful completion of Course 2, learners will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of landscape patterns and processes related to wildfires, including patch dynamics and the influence of stand structure on wildfire occurrence and behaviour.
• Explain how fuels and weather influence patterns of fire severity and subsequent fire effects.
• Use tools to identify historical landscape reference conditions and explain the importance of Indigenous knowledge for managing contemporary fire regimes.

Upon successful completion of Course 3, learners will be able to:

• Describe Indigenous and western societal relationships with wildfire and smoke, how these relationships have changed over time, and the different challenges rural, Indigenous, and urban communities face to co-exist with wildfire.
• Discuss the various policies and laws that influence wildland fire management and Indigenous cultural burning practices.
• Analyze and explain how concepts of power, trust, and relationships influence wildfire management.

Who This Program is For

• Professionals with a university degree or college diploma in a related discipline
• Practicing environmental and resource professionals: agrologists, biologists, fire ecologists, firefighters, fire and forest technicians, foresters, landscape and forest managers, and urban or landscape planners
• Land managers employed in forestry, agriculture, land development, and wildfire resiliency
• Different levels of government (municipal, provincial, federal, and Indigenous)
• Conservation organizations and agencies
• Individuals seeking employment in an environmental field
• Post-secondary students seeking to gain practical experience

Prerequisites:

• This non-credit learning opportunity has no prerequisites
• This learning opportunity is designed for adult learners; participants must be 18 years or older
• Topics will be presented with no expectation of prior knowledge
• The language of instruction is English

Program Courses and Dates

FWFEM 1 – Introduction to Fire Ecology

FWFEM 2 – Wildland Fire and Landscapes

FWFEM 3 – Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire Ecology and Management

How This Program is Delivered

Delivery Mode:
Online, Asynchronous

Structure:
The Fundamentals of Wildland Fire Ecology and Management micro-credential program consists of three online courses. Each course includes 15 hours of instruction and 5-hours of learning activities.

Technology Requirements:

• Access to a computer with a recent operating system, web browser and updated version of Zoom
• High-speed internet connection
• Microphone, webcam, and headphones or speaker

Program Instructors

Instructor biographies and detailed information will be made available in the near future.

Credential Awarded

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, learners are awarded a UBC Okanagan Letter of Proficiency (a non-credit credential).

The credential is provided in paper format. Learners will also receive a verifiable digital badge (which has descriptive metadata about the learning achievement) for sharing through digital channels.

REGISTER HERE