The University of Idaho Fire Ecology and Management Program recently received a letter from the president of the National Association of Fire Ecology recognizing the program’s national certification.
“This certificate provides us with encouragement and support for continuing what we do,” said Penny Morgan, faculty member in the College of Natural Resources Department of Forest, Rangeland and Fire Sciences.
For more than 35 years, UI’s College of Natural Resources has led wildland fire education and research and remained a model for programs across the country. The program currently enrolls nearly 100 undergraduate students working toward a bachelor’s degree in science, ecology and management. The program also offers graduate programs at the doctorate and master’s level, as well as a certificate program.
“Having national recognition puts our name in more places and provides another way to emphasize how effective our program is,” said Heather Heward, Fire Ecology alumni and professor.
Recognition is awarded at the national level every five years. The Fire Ecology and Management staff filled out an application and answered questions about facility qualifications and experiential learning of students in order to be recognized.
“During a year like this when there have been so many large fires and so much money spent on protecting people it’s really important to see the quality of our alumni as leaders and decision makers,” Morgan said.
The association identified many strengths within the UI program, including hands on experience, engaging learning, agency partnerships, well-designed advising from recruitment through job placement and a vigorous research program.
Standards for recognition were set to establish a professional basis for fire ecology and management programs throughout the country.
“This is recognition that what we’re doing is really outstanding and we’re going to keep on educating leaders, working with leaders and being leaders in the field of fire ecology and management,” Morgan said.
Only five programs met the minimum criteria and were recognized with the certification. This is the first time the Association has certified programs at the national level.
“It’s all group effort,” Morgan said. “We have many very talented fire faculty members and students working together to make it all work. We would not have gotten here if we didn’t have the amazing team.”
Arianna Anchustegui can be reached at [email protected]