Montgomery, AL- One of the first 2023 Mid-South RC&D projects came to fruition last November. Tall Timbers Research and Land Conservancy, a nonprofit organization specializing in fire ecology and land management, hosted a wildland fire training course for 30 local veterans and first responders at Camp ASCCA in Dadeville, AL. After completing the week-long training on the ecological benefits and fire safety protocols, eligible participants qualified to receive certification through the Alabama Forestry Commission as Certified Prescribed Burn Managers. 

Mid-South RC&D funded $17,886.26 for the training course. The funding covered the cost of participant lodging, classroom instruction, materials, and participant certification fees bringing the total project value to $25,000. However, Mid-South RC&D’s total investment in this course was priceless. 

On Nov. 14, 2023, the course kicked-off with a welcoming press event. Local legislators and leaders, along with Mid-South RC&D staff and board members, gathered with officials from Tall Timbers for a check presentation. Pictured above with Tall Timbers officials are Sen. Clyde Chambliss, Sen. Jay Hovey, and Rep. Joe Lovvorn along with Mid-South RC&D Chairman, J.O. Norris, staff, and board members Leighanna Grice, Patty Lambrecht, and Vickie Watkins. 

Much of Alabama’s natural areas require frequent low-intensity fires through prescribed burning; yet, there are few trained professionals to conduct these necessary burns safely. Training courses and prescribed burn certifications help satisfy a significant bottleneck in Alabama’s workforce and conservation efforts.

After reviewing their grant application, the Mid-South RC&D Council knew this project would have an impact beyond education, conservation, and workforce development. The Central Alabama Wildland Fire Training Course for Veterans and First Responders gave our local heroes not only an opportunity to learn new skills but also a safe space to physically, mentally, and spiritually heal through outdoor recreation and the companionship of like-minded trainees.

Many servicemen and women suffer from depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorders upon returning home. According to the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs, our state has one of the nation’s highest Veteran suicide rates. In 2020, 18% of the state’s suicides were committed by veterans. 

Tall Timbers addressed both of these issues head-on throughout the course. The training offered a place for like-minded individuals to fellowship, gain a renewed sense of pride and purpose, and learn in a safe environment with therapeutic elements of outdoor recreation. 

Major Lee Stuckey, a retired USMC veteran and Tall Timbers’ coordinator for the Central Alabama Prescribed Burn Association, worked hands-on with course participants. With 22 years of service, three combat deployments under his belt, and a Purple Heart for wounds received in combat under his belt, Stuckey was essential in guiding and mentoring participants throughout the week. 

“I’ve seen a lot of people (veterans) commit suicide due to issues with combat trauma. Once I retired, I saw the connection between being outside, participating in outdoor recreational therapy, and supporting conservation within our great state. I saw firsthand how healing it was to participate in this type of endeavor through my own personal journey, so it’s really special to help other veterans and first responders heal…the course just made sense,” said Stuckey. 

Prescribed burns are unique because they combine the science of fire ecology with safe land management practices. The course allowed veterans and first responders to utilize and enhance their prior skill sets to tackle issues in conservation and land management under the instruction of consulting forester and Central Alabama Prescribed Burn Association President John Stivers. Stivers is experienced, having worked for nearly 20 years in USDA Forest Service, Fire & Aviation, and Fire & Fuels, in addition to 15 years teaching the Certified Burn Manager program for the Alabama Forestry Commission.

“I love to see people who truly want to learn the science, and it’s always an added perk when you get to teach people that have served this country,” said Stivers. 

One of the main objectives of the course was to connect veterans and first responders to local employment opportunities. After receiving certification, prescribed burn managers have the potential to earn income ranging anywhere from $250 to $500 per day. 

“What interested me about the course, was the sense of brotherhood and bonding…when you first get out of the service, it’s hard because you lose that tribe. Thanks to this training course, I can spend time with my brothers while also doing something that’s going to provide me with better employment opportunities,” said Ray Hoven, a member of the United States Air Force and course participant. 

An Army veteran and course participant, Eric, also felt the impact of the course. Through course participation and Stuckey’s outreach, Eric was able to secure housing, a guaranteed job, and certification as a prescribed burn manager that will propel his new career path in the civilian world. That’s what Mid-South RC&D is all about. 

Projects like the Central Alabama Wildland Fire Training Course for Veterans and First Responders represent the mission of RC&D councils across the country. We strive to “fill the gaps” in our communities by enhancing the quality of life for those who make the ultimate sacrifice. We support projects that improve the local economy, workforce, and natural resources. Mid-South RC&D is honored to work with community partners such as Tall Timbers. Working together, we can live out our mission and meet needs throughout our region.  

The Mid-South RC&D 2024 Grant Cycle closes on June 30, 2023. To learn more about how to “fill the gaps” in your community, please visit our website midsouthrcd.org.