PBAT Prescribed Burn Alliance of Texas Ray Hinnant - chair Education Committee

Presentations and Travel Provided by Great Plains Fire Science and Exchange. The Great Plains Fire Science Exchange is a network of landowners, managers, practitioners, and scientists interested in the fire-dependent grassland ecosystems of the Great Plains region. http://gpfirescience.missouristate.edu/

GPFSE Information resources Fire communication kit Publications on fire, planning and conducting a burn, and teaching resources Products Blog Exchanges information with other Fire Science Exchanges across the U.S..

History Individuals interested in linking individual PBAs Agencies and Individuals began meeting A grant was awarded to develop an alliance of PBAs

“Confluence” of Interests 1998-2009 - State leaders expand concept to other regions in the state 1997 - Concept of Association 2003 – Mort Kothmann and others begin to form idea of an “Alliance” 2006 – Initial meeting was held in Brownwood by EPPBA 2010 - Meeting with Butch Taylor, John Walker, Neal Wilkins, and Roel Lopez 2010 – Jim Kenton & others Re-visit the idea of an “Alliance” Association Leadership Opted to form a “State-wide Alliance” (Initial support will be provided by Texas AgriLife and Texas A&M Inst. of Renewable Natural Resources) NRCS-Conservation Innovation Grant Proposal Submitted and Funded May 27, 2011 - Workshop/Meeting of Association Leadership to discuss Alliance concept

NRCS-Conservation Innovation Grant Goal: Increase prescribed fire use through a community-based alliance of burning associations, and integration of web-based technology, particularly for education and training.

History IRNR provided a forum of interest for individuals, agencies and PBAs to begin development Following two general meetings, PBAT was formed and officers elected First meeting was held in San Antonio in December 2011 A Website was developed for PBAT

History Mission Statement Goals and Objectives Policies Developed Policies were developed based on the assumption that insurance might be available. Perceived as a top down organization by some PBAs.

What and Who is PBAT A 501(C)(3) non-profit educational corporation The individual PBAs are the members of PBAT Officers (Pres., VP. Sec, Treasurer) are elected from the PBAs by the representatives Committee chairs are appointed by the President with approval of the Board of Directors Insurance Nominating Education Legislative Review Finance Burn Standards and Technology

Vision and Mission Vision The Prescribed Burn Alliance of Texas aspires to be a premier organization that significantly impacts the application of prescribed fire on the Texas landscape. Mission Our Mission is to support member prescribed burning associations in promoting and protecting the right of Texas landowners to use prescribed burning as a safe, economical, and effective management practice.

PBAT Membership Policies MEMBER PBA OPERATIONS A Member PBA shall write its own policies regarding insurance, the use of any of its PBA-owned equipment, or its members’ participation in burns. A written burn plan using a plan approved by the Member PBA must be completed prior to a burn. PBAT has provided an example burn plan template. A member PBA may post any of its burn plans for viewing on its portion of the PBAT website. The burn plan should indicate that the landowner or lessee for the property to be burned has liability insurance. On the day of the prescribed burn, the Burn Boss should complete a preparation checklist prior to ignition. The Member PBA may modify the list to suit local needs and comply with its policies. Additional requirements for safe execution of an approved burn plan may be dictated by the Member PBA.

What Has PBAT Done for You? Provides a larger footprint than a local PBA Has provided a set of PowerPoint® Slides that could be used in training your members Has provided a fact sheet for County Governments and a Brochure on Prescribed fire.

PBAT officers and directors Serve on the Prescribed Burning Board of Texas Serve on the Texas Wildfire Prevention Taskforce Serve on other Boards and Committees that promote prescribed burning and Prescribed Burn Associations

What Can PBAT Do for You? Continue to provide educational products and training Be an advocate for Prescribed Fire to the Prescribed Burning Board, Agencies, Organizations, and Legislative bodies. Apply for grants for equipment, training, and promoting Prescribed Fire.

What Can You Do for PBAT? Encourage your PBAT representatives to attend meetings and bring your needs and questions to the Board. Let PBAT know what kinds of training or educational programs that you need at the local level. Promote your PBA and PBAT with your County officials and agency affiliates.

What can you do for PBAT? Help us identify grants that might provided needed funds for additional training materials and publicity. PBAT is a 501 (c) 3 organization for tax deductible contributions.

PBAT PBAT is a young, growing organization that needs assistance and guidance from its members. Support PBAT and assist where ever you can.