Prescribed fire scholarship shapes AUM junior’s future

Auburn University at Montgomery junior Tyler Webber was recently awarded a Larry Ford Prescribed Fire Scholarship for rising Alabama college students pursuing degrees in natural resources programs.

Webber, a wildlife biology major, was one of eight Alabama college students to receive the scholarship from the Alabama Prescribed Fire Council to attend its annual meeting for networking opportunities.

“It was a big honor to be in the inaugural class,” said Webber, who was encouraged to apply for the scholarship by AUM Department of Biology and Environmental Science Chair Chelsea Ward. “I can’t thank Dr. Ward and the Alabama Prescribed Fire Council enough for considering me for this honor.”

The scholarship was created to recognize, honor and celebrate Auburn University forestry alum Larry Ford’s longstanding career, contributions and advocacy in the field of forestry and prescribed burns in Alabama, said John McGuire, board chair of the Alabama Prescribed Fire Council.

“For these eight students, this scholarship is just the beginning of their journey and one of the first steps to being in a long career in the prescribed burn field like Larry Ford,” McGuire said. “We will continue to work with these students through training to become better fire practitioners.”

Held in September in Clanton, Alabama, the council’s annual meeting serves as an opportunity for licensed prescribed burn professionals in Alabama and from across the southeast United States to network and share information on how to better protect, conserve and expand the safe use of prescribed burns.

“It was interesting to learn how different states conduct prescribed burns and network with Alabama professionals about their experiences in the field,” said Webber, a Montgomery native. “I was able to see that being a licensed burn manager would be beneficial to me in the future. It’s a very effective tool for clearing large areas of land and it leaves a positive ecological impact on our forests.”

Within a year, Webber hopes to become certified in prescribed burns through the Alabama Prescribed Fire Council. He plans to attend prescribed burn classroom and field trainings that will be offered by the council in January and March 2025, Webber said.

“After I graduate, I plan to go into the field of land management,” he said. “This training will be helpful as I pursue my career because the practice of prescribed burns is a tool used by a lot of land management professionals and companies.”