2nd National Extension Nat Res Conference-Abstract 27

Martha C. Monroe, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, University of Florida, P.O. Box 110410, Gainesville, FL 32611-0410; 352.846.0878; mcmo@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu

Florida's devastating wildfires in the summer of 1998 spawned a variety of educational messages and programs about wildfire preparedness, wildfire prevention, and prescribed fire. The Cooperative Extension Service's traditional role in citizen education, particularly in rural areas, made it a logical leader in the effort to inform adults about the values, dangers, and precautions regarding wildland fire.

Our program, funded by a grant from the Advisory Council for Environmental Education of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, is a partnership with Florida Division of Forestry and The Nature Conservancy of Florida. We conducted a needs assessment of 675 Florida residents, and used this information to develop a resource kit for County Extension Agents and Division of Forestry representatives to use in conducting local programs. The kit includes copies of videos on wildland fire in Florida, a slide resource kit, a powerpoint presentation, new fact sheets, a press kit, and roadside signs. Three inservice training sessions in January 2000 prepared county teams to assess their situation, identify appropriate demonstration areas for prescribed fire, and develop program plans. Their reports will be compiled to demonstrate which tools were most successful and how many citizens were reached.

This project was challenging due to the interdisciplinary nature of wildland fire bringing multiple agencies to the table; the inherent and well-founded fear of fire; confusion about the meaning of prescribed fire; and the need to change institutional comfort-zones.

1. An appropriate message regarding defensible space conflicts with values (and agency recommendations) about energy conservation, water conservation, and backyard wildlife, as well as visual preferences. The team convened a working meeting of 19 different agencies and organizations to negotiate a common message for landscaping with fire in mind before developing the Extension materials for this project.

2. Some fire is good; some fire is disastrous; most people are afraid of any fire that comes close to their property; and most people know that fire helps keep forests healthy. Our message must convey accurate information about wildfire and prescribed fire so citizens can be prepared yet still support prescribed fire.

3. Florida has few extension agents with natural resource backgrounds, and even some county directors who believe wildland fire is not an extension issue. Empowering agents to carry an unfamiliar message required that we: (1) pair them with local expertise, (2) design easy-to-use and attractive materials, and (3) sell the information as relevant to horticulture and youth agents.

My presentation will describe the Wildland Fire Education Project, how we overcame these tricky challenges, and how Floridians are changing their perceptions about this "burning issue."