People have lived collaboratively with fire, and fire has brought and supported life since time immemorial. This was something Dr. Sasha Berleman heard when she was a young adult enrolled in an educational program at a nature reserve that her grandmother used to take her to. This sent her on a lifelong journey to explore and educate others on living harmoniously in a fire-prone environment.
Known as the Fire Poppy, Dr. Berleman shares insights on wildland and prescribed fires, stressing their vital role in fire-adapted ecosystems. She talks about the challenges of using fire and changing how people see it. Dr. Berleman also talks about the Fire Forward program, which helps more people use prescribed fires safely. The program focuses on leadership, working together, and helping communities. She also talks about how the government and groups can learn from each other and how everyone can work together better. Dr. Berleman underscores the need for collaboration, resource sharing, and mentorship, concluding with a focus on the recipe for success and the potential for future growth, as well as the importance of mentors and paying it forward.