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EcoRadio Hour (Fire Ecology): The Role of Fire as a Natural and Anthropogenic Process in Ecosystems
Crotchett, Kassie Franken, Quinn Combs, Bronwyn Danley, Raegan Smyly, Hailey Nez, Shamiqua
Crotchett, Kassie
Franken, Quinn
Combs, Bronwyn
Danley, Raegan
Smyly, Hailey
Nez, Shamiqua
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Abstract
With the support of the KU Environmental Studies Program and in collaboration with KKFI 90.1, a Kansas City public radio station, we created an educational public broadcast about fire ecology, including topics of wildfire, prescribed fire, and cultural fire to be aired on KKFI’s EcoRadio Hour. Our group aims to expand our audience’s understanding of the ecological role of fire along with its historical context and geopolitical significance to showcase Environmental Studies as a foundationally interdisciplinary and collaborative field.
Throughout the broadcast, we weave principles of ecology along with historical and geopolitical contexts to create an integrated fire ecology lesson, utilizing a systems-thinking approach to deepen our audience’s understanding. Ill-informed policies have resulted in ultimately inefficacious fire suppression measures that degenerate ecosystem health, promote wildfire conditions, and amplify environmental concerns. Moreover, fire suppression policies were initiated to eliminate the existence of Native populations and their stewardship practices after their land underwent settler colonization and became the United States. With each passing year, prominent changes in climate continually increase the intensity and frequency of wildfires. Together, these risk factors increase the prevalence of air pollution and water contamination, worsening the impact on public health. Our broadcast emphasizes the geopolitical context of fire on the land over time to develop a deepened understanding of the relationships between management practices and environmental outcomes.
Description
This capstone was submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for EVRN 615, taught by Dr. Kelly Kindscher and Dr. Ali Brox.
Date
2025-04-25
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Research Projects
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Fire ecology