Changing Roles
Webinar Series
Welcome!
Natural resource agencies are being called upon to provide solutions to increasingly complex challenges at the wildland-urban interface (WUI). However, increased human influences on forest ecosystems and other natural areas can often strain the ability of natural resource professionals to deal with the array of issues in the interface. The Changing Roles Professional Development Program was developed to help meet these needs.
This 4-part webinar series was designed to present participants with an opportunity to learn a subset of concepts and skills covered in the Changing Roles materials. This series was developed to: 1) assist natural resource professionals in developing an understanding of opportunities and challenges in the WUI related to forest management, land-use policy and planning decision making, and communication skills for working with interface residents and leaders, 2) equip natural resource professionals with skills and tools to effectively work in the WUI, and 3) introduce natural resource professionals to the Changing Roles Program.
The sessions of this series were recorded and archived. To access these sessions, visit: www.forestrywebinars.com. To access a particular session highlighted below simply click on the orange circle and you will be redirected.
To access handouts distributed and files generated during the webinar sessions, visit the Webinar section of our Trainer's Corner.
Module 1: Sept. 14th, 2pm EST
Wildland-Urban Interface: Issues and Connections
Nicole Wulff
Changing Roles Training Coordinator
InterfaceSouth, U.S. Forest Service
In the field of natural resource management, we are increasingly hearing terms such as exurbia, urban sprawl, and rural fringe. We're also facing new challenges, including population growth, rapid land-use change, and forest fragmentation. What is this area often referred to as the wildland-urban interface (WUI)? What are the key issues that natural resource professionals are facing in this changing environment and how are they interrelated?
This session addressed these questions and more as we defined the wildland-urban interface and explored interconnections between key issues. This session also provided an overview of the knowledge and skills to be covered in the subsequent webinar sessions, which can help natural resource professionals work more effectively in the WUI.
Module 2: Sept. 30th, 2pm EST
Managing Interface Forests
Dr. Bruce Hull
Professor, College of Natural Resources
Virginia Tech
This webinar introduced management practices suitable for forest owners located in the wildland-urban interface. It began with an overview of the big picture challenges and solutions of developing a forest industry to service interface forests. The bulk of the webinar then focused on active forest management practices that 1) produce high-value amenity resources such as scenery, privacy and hiking, and 2) increase confidence in and respect for forest service professionals. Specific vegetation management practices and job planning guidelines were discussed.Module 3: Oct. 13th, 2pm EST
Land-Use Planning and Policy
John M. Davis
Conservation Outreach Coordinator
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
As natural resource professionals, we tend to enjoy working outside in rural areas and attempting to help landowners better manage their land for wildlife or habitat health. We didn't get into the field of natural resources to live in cities and work in meeting rooms. However, our constituents are increasingly more urban and the methods we use to influence land management have changed as well. We can no longer ignore the urban/urbanizing areas and the associated wildland-urban interface issues and challenges. Additionally, we are being asked to do more with less, so efficiency is critical. By working with planners and policy makers, we can affect the landscape on a grand scale.
This session discussed the various processes, policies and ordinances that governing bodies employ to plan land use. It covered opportunities for natural resource professionals to assist in this process and strategies for becoming a community resource.
Module 4: Oct. 29th, 2pm EST
Communicating with Interface Leaders and Residents
Dr. Martha Monroe
Professor, School of Forest Resources and Conservation
University of Florida
This webinar explored the communication skills and concepts that natural resource and extension
professionals will find useful to resolve challenges in the wildland-urban interface. Three situations
were used to explore communication strategies:- I give people information and they just don’t understand it.
- I want to tell people what they need to do differently, but they don’t want to hear it.
- I explain important things and people don’t believe me; they have other ideas that I can’t change.
Is there a WUI issue that you'd like to learn more about? Suggest a topic for future webinars here nmwulff@fs.fed.us
For more information on the Changing Roles Professional Development Program or the Changing Roles Webinar Series, please contact:
Nicole Wulff
Changing Roles Training Coordinator
USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, SRS-4952
Phone: (352)378-2451
Email: nmwulff@fs.fed.us
www.interfacesouth.org/changingroles
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