Flashy Fuels and Resilient Lands – Fueling Distinct Prescriptions for Eastern Grasslands

Photo Credit: Polly Weigand, North Atlantic Fire Science Exchange

PANEL DISCUSSION: Thursday, November 20, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM EST

Fire, whether naturally ignited or culturally conveyed, did not spread across eastern North America frequently or evenly enough for fire-dependent grasslands to be as ubiquitous as the forested landscape. But in areas where it could, there were open grasslands and grassy savannas and woodlands composed of a rich diversity of unique species assemblages. This discussion will feature researchers and practitioners involved in protecting and maximizing the size and occurrence of these herbaceous upland ecosystems reflective of contemporary pressures and challenges with a focus on restoring ancient remnants (old growth grasslands) and reconstructing grasslands (where grassland vegetation was destroyed). Specifically highlighted will be the value of intergenerational knowledge as well as the regional networks that have emerged from and support specific grassland management prescriptions reflective of unique flora and distinct drivers. Understanding local variation is necessary to success – particularly in the context of fragmentation, seed sourcing, fire suppression, climate change, and other factors. Panelists will share their “mental maps” developed from navigating such complexities especially plant community composition, habitat needs of wildlife species, and components of the fire regime to address when planning fuel load reductions and reintroduction of fire to help maximize the protection and persistence of these heralded ecosystems.

This panel discussion has been approved for 1.5 Category 1 CFE's by the Society of American Foresters.

Our Panel

Paul Charland (Moderator)
Paul is the coordinator for the Tallgrass Prairie and Oak Savanna Fire Science Consortium. He recently retired from the US Fish and Wildlife Service where he worked in the Fire Management Program for over 20 years. His work in fire has focused on grasslands, having served in positions in a swath through the center of the country from coastal Texas to the Upper Midwest.

Elizabeth Bach (Panelist)
Elizabeth Bach is the ecosystem restoration scientist at Nachusa Grasslands for The Nature Conservancy in Illinois. She currently works with scientists, land managers and stewards to holistically investigate questions about tallgrass prairie restoration ecology. Her own research expertise focuses on soil ecology, exploring how belowground biology supports tallgrass prairie ecosystems through plant-soil interactions and nutrient and carbon cycling. Prior to joining The Nature Conservancy in 2020, Elizabeth served as the executive director for the Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative. She earned her Ph.D. in ecology & evolutionary biology from Iowa State University after completing a B.A. in biology and environmental science at Cornell College and an M.Sc. in plant biology from Southern Illinois University—Carbondale.

Caren Caljouw (Panelist)

Caren Caljouw is the fire manager and a restoration ecologist with the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game, Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. She coordinates prescribed fire and landscape restoration activities on MassWildlife lands statewide. Caren’s been with the Division since 2015. Caren is a skilled prescribed fire practitioner with knowledge and experience in managing fire-influenced ecosystems from Virginia to Maine. She has a keen interest in fire and ecosystem dynamics with a focus on fire and plant interactions and restoration benefits to improve wildlife habitats. She works to ensure collaboration and partnership in implementing safe wildland fire practices and developing mutually beneficial strategies and goals to further prescribed fire operations throughout Massachusetts and the region.

Ron Waukau (Panelist)
Ron Waukau has had a long career at Menominee Tribal Enterprises, starting in 1988. Ron has served multiple appointments across Menominee forest operations prior to becoming Forest Manager.

Theo Witsell (Panelist)
Theo Witsell is co-founder and Chief Conservation Officer for the Southeastern Grasslands Institute (SGI), where he oversees science and conservation programs. Prior to his role at SGI, he worked for more than 25 years for the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission (ANHC), the agency that houses that state’s Natural Heritage Program and System of Natural Areas. He had several roles in his time there, serving as a land manager before becoming the agency’s botanist, ecologist, and Chief of Research before leaving for SGI in early 2024. He has also worked as a consultant for a wide variety of federal and state conservation agencies and NGOs across eastern North America. A botanist at heart, Theo was co-editor of the Atlas of the Vascular Plants of Arkansas (2013), co-author of Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of Arkansas (2021), and recently completed a book about his field work following the route of naturalist Thomas Nuttall’s 1819-1820 trip through what is now Arkansas and Oklahoma. He has authored or co-authored more than 45 scientific papers and book chapters and is a regional reviewer for the Flora of North America Project.

List of resources shared during the discussion:

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