Communicating Fire Science in Schools

Prescribed Fire for Forest Management Series

Communicating Fire Science in Schools

Sep. 9, 2026 | 12-12:45 p.m. CT

This session introduces the Fire Ecology Learning Lab, an educational framework designed for anyone who works with youth or coordinates youth engagement initiatives and wants practical methods to teach fire ecology.

The presentation is relevant for classroom teachers, nonformal educators, and youth program coordinators, as well as agency personnel, public information officers, outreach specialists, and natural resource professionals who conduct youth outreach, school visits, or community education.

Session Topics:

Core concepts of fire ecology, historic fire regimes, and forest resilience
Interactive, field-tested activities adaptable for indoor and outdoor settings
Methods for translating regional fire research into youth curriculum and public outreach
Educational materials, lesson plans, and teaching tools available through the Fire Ecology Learning Lab

Participants do not need a background in formal education or specialized fire science. The session focuses on instructional tools, engagement strategies, and adaptable resources for diverse educational and agency settings.

Presenter

Lorie J. Cavalli, M.Ed.

Fire Ecology Learning Lab Coordinator, Southwest Fire Science Consortium

Lorie J. Cavalli, M.Ed. is an Environmental Educator, Program Specialist, and the Fire Ecology Learning Lab Coordinator for the Southwest Fire Science Consortium. With a strong background in youth science education, watershed stewardship, and regional conservation leadership, Lorie creates interactive, place-based learning experiences that connect environmental science and landscape history to community action. She holds an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Arizona State University.

MODERATOR

Paul Charland

Coordinator, Tallgrass Prairie and Oak Savanna Fire Science Consortium

Paul is recently retired from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) where fire management has been the focus for most of his career. Paul started working for USFWS seasonally as a BioTech in 1996. After several years he transitioned into fire as a different path to contribute to conservation through active management and remained in the USFWS Fire program for over 20 years. In the Midwest, Paul worked for USFWS in Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan, as well as in the grasslands of coastal Texas. Paul has a B.S. in Fisheries from Frostburg State in Maryland and an M.S. in Entomology from Michigan State.