North Arkansas College, in partnership with Buffalo National River Partners (BNRP), is pleased to announce an upcoming lecture on the implementation of prescribed fire in Buffalo National River for habitat restoration. The event will feature Fenn Wimberly, Fire Management Officer for the National Park Service at Buffalo National River.
The lecture entitled “Implementation of Prescribed Fire in Buffalo National River for Habitat Restoration and Maintenance of Fire Dependent Communities” will be held on Friday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the North Arkansas College Science Building first floor lecture hall on the South Campus.
This informative lecture will cover the purpose of the fire management program at Buffalo National River, why prescribed fire is an effective tool for habitat restoration, and how fire-dependent communities are supported through this approach. Mr. Wimberly will discuss the process of setting prescribed fire return frequencies within the park.
As the Fire Management Officer for the National Park Service at Buffalo National River, Mr. Wimberly brings a wealth of expertise in fire ecology and land management practices. His insights will be invaluable for anyone interested in learning about the ecological role of fire and its importance in preserving diverse landscapes and species at the national park.
Mr. Wimberly is a seasoned fire management professional with extensive experience in wildland fire management and ecological restoration. Raised in Fayetteville, Arkansas, he developed a passion for the outdoors at an early age, becoming an Eagle Scout and embraced nature through various outdoor activities. His deep-rooted love for nature and dedication to environmental stewardship laid the foundation for his distinguished career in fire ecology, conservation, and teaching prescribed fire to a multitude of people that have worked with and for Fenn.
Mr. Wimberly attended Colorado State University to study forestry and fire ecology, a background that has proven invaluable in his fire management career. He began his journey with the National Park Service at Buffalo National River in the early 1990s, where he was first introduced to prescribed fire and suppression (or wildland firefighting) as a seasonal park ranger. His work at Buffalo National River sparked a lifelong commitment to fire management and conservation.
In his career, he has worked with the National Park Service, the USDA Forest Service on the Santa Fe National Forest, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where he served as a Fire Management Officer overseeing several fire management programs comprised of multiple national wildlife refuges across Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska. His expertise and leadership in fire management expanded to a national level, influencing fire management practices by teaching advanced prescribed fire management classes at the Interagency National Advanced Fire and Research Institute (NAFRI) in Tucson, Arizona. He is also an integral of a complex incident management team, which are frequently called out for support during environmental disasters such as large wildfires, hurricanes, and other large events that need complex organization and guidance.
After 18 years away from his beloved Buffalo National River, and many miles traveled, he had risen through the ranks to the Fire Management Officer position. In 2008 he had the opportunity to return to the Buffalo National River as the Fire Management Officer, in charge of the entire fire program, where his career first began.
Mr. Wimberly is recognized as a leading expert in fire ecology. Thirty plus years of experience of fire management in all fuel types across the United States provides an inherent knowledge that drives the dedication for prescribed fire and habitat restoration. He continues to play a pivotal role in the restoration and management of fire-dependent ecosystems across the Department of Interior, USDA Forest Service, and local agencies striving to enhance fire dependent ecosystems. His passion for environmental stewardship drives his mission to preserve and enhance natural landscapes for future generations.
This lecture is free and open to the public, offering a unique opportunity for BNR Partners, Northark students, members of the public and environmental enthusiasts to engage with a leading expert in the field of fire management.
For more information about the lecture contact Faron Usrey, Science Instructor and Undergraduate Research Co-coordinator by phone at (870) 715-9563 or by email at Faron.Usrey@northark.edu.