115 - Prescribed Fire In National Parks with Michel Thériault and Elisabeth Caron

If we want healthy ecosystems, we must balance the human demands of nature with the ecosystem’s capacity to provide it. For centuries, eastern Canada has experienced massive fire suppression, nearly complete loss of cultural fire, clearing for agriculture and homesteading, planting of non-native trees species for timber harvesting and so many other disturbances to its natural ecology. La Mauricie National Park is trying to right some of those wrongs and bring balance back to the landscape. This podcast details the last 30 years of prescribed fire in La Mauricie National Park and the lessons they have learned.Episode highlightMichel Thériault and Elisabeth Caron speak about using prescribed fire to manage the health of forests.ResourcesRestoration in Quebec’s Forests: https://www.iawfonline.org/article/7811/ La Mauricie National Park Fire Map Story https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/qc/mauricie/nature/conservation/restauration-restoration/feu-fire/carte-narrative-story-mapSponsorsWest Fraser: https://www.westfraser.com/ GreenLink Forestry Inc.: http://greenlinkforestry.com/ Damaged Timber: https://www.damagedtimber.com/ GiveawayEnter YourForest10 at checkout at the Damaged Timber store for a 10% discount!Quotes1.32.59 - 1.33.04: “There’s a lot more to learn when you fail than when you succeed.” TakeawaysStarting from ground zero (05.28) Michel studied wildlife management and forest ecology. His graduation was a profitable time to work with Parks Canada, as well as the beginning of the prescribed fire program. Slowly but surely (14.19)Michel is appreciative of the support that the province provided on fire prevention and suppression, without it being their mandate to do so. They used fire to replace plantations with natural forests.   The good old days (25.40)Michel says that in the 1950s, logging companies managed much of the land, and fishing and hunting clubs thrived. Today, the pre-industrial forest is used as a baseline to guide the prescribed fire program. Managing land the right way (32.24) Michel highlights the values at risk to be factored in while planning a fire regime - climate change, new insects and diseases of the trees. He notes that we “have to be cautious of doing our best with the knowledge we have” and learn from First Nations land custodians.Adaptive land management (39.04)Michel explains that after the prescribed fire regime, treatment, pruning, and active planting take place. With practice, research, lessons from the USA, cooperation from multiple stakeholders, and learning from mistakes, the program is now starting to show progress. Challenges and opportunities (48.11)Michel points out that it is a tough balance between effective but intensive fires and controllable but weak fires. He plans his work according to the seasons, factoring in humidity, wind, climate and species responsiveness.Developing connections for knowledge (1.03.47)There are prescribed fire projects being developed in collaboration with local First Nations, based on the location and proximity, Michel says. He would like to see Parks Canada promote this knowledge sharing to inform future fire management plans. Let’s talk about fire (1.15.18)Elisabeth joined the prescribed fire program in 2016 and found that some people agreed with their work and some were opposed to it. She believes talking about the natural role of fire will help people feel engaged with the program. “Be adaptive, be ready to fail and try something else” (1.27.05)Michel says that understanding the fire regime, the landscape, and its fire history is important. He warns against impatience with results and the fear of failure in working with prescribed fire. If you liked this podcast, please rate and review it, share it on Instagram and Facebook and tag a friend, and send your feedback and comments to [email protected].