SFE and CAFMS Duff in the Sandhills Fire Science Workshop
Duff in the Sandhills Fire Science Workshop: Lessons from Fire Science Research and Adaptive Management
When: Tuesday, March 10, 2026 | 9am - 4:30pm ET
Where: Sandhills Nature Preserve
1024 N Fort Bragg Rd
Southern Pines, NC
*Field trip will be at Weymouth Woods
Lessons from Duff Fire Science Research and Adaptive Management, hosted by the Southern Fire Exchange and CAFMS
Lessons from Fire Science Research and Adaptive Management
Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers and Scientists and the Southern Fire Exchange will be hosting a Duff in the Mountains workshop on March 10, 2026. The workshop will be hosted in Southern Pines, North Carolina at the Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve. There will be a field trip portion at the preserve following morning presentations.
Description:
Reintroducing fire into long-unburned longleaf pine ecosystems has led to unexpected tree mortality. In many cases, valuable overstory trees, important for wildlife habitat and cultural history, have died following prescribed burns due to duff. Sites with heavy duff loads continue to present persistent and pressing challenges for prescribed fire managers in the montane region of North Carolina. Research funded by the Joint Fire Science Program has revealed that thick layers of dry duff around tree bases ignite and burn slowly, damaging roots, causing stress, and resulting in tree death. These findings shifted fire management strategies toward gradually reducing duff layers rather than immediately restoring open forest structure. This workshop, hosted by Southern Fire Exchange and the Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers and Scientists, will support this approach by providing scientific presentations, field demonstrations, and planning tools to help land managers assess duff conditions, plan effective burns, and protect legacy and economically important trees. Emphasis will be placed on practical, low-cost techniques, like duff moisture testing and multi-stage burns, making fire science accessible and actionable for a wide range of landowners and fire practitioners.
Agenda:
8:30 – 9:00: Check-In / Registration / Coffee at NC Cooperative Extension | Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve
9:00 – 9:15: Partner Welcome, Southern Fire Exchange/CAFMS Overview, and Why We’re Here: Sarah Cain, Outreach Specialist, Southern Fire Exchange; Lindsey Hosier, Coordinator, Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers and Scientists
9:15 – 10:00: Fire in the Mountains: Why We Do This, How It’s Done: Featuring Alan Teed, Sandhills Stewardship Manager, The Nature Conservancy
10:00 – 10:15: Break
10:15-11:00: Management Lessons from Restoring Fire to Long-Unburned Areas, Duff Management in the Sandhills Region of North Carolina: Featuring Jimmy Dodson, Regional Biologist Manager, NC State Parks
11:00– 11:20: Latest Advances in Understanding Duff Consumption and Post-Fire Longleaf Mortality: Featuring Raelene Crandall, Ph.D., Associate Professor, University of Florida and Southern Fire Exchange
11:20 – 11:50: Field Site Preview: Why Weymouth Woods? What has been done? Featuring Thomas Crate and Jason Haywood, NC State Parks
11:50-12:45: Lunch (will be provided), Morning Wrap-Up, Extra Presentation Questions
12:45 - 13:15: Travel to Weymouth Woods Field Sites
13:15 - 16:00: Field Site Visit and Discussion - Weymouth Woods Sandhills Nature Preserve
16:00 - 16:30: Return to Clasrrom
Cost $65, Registration closes March 3rd
N.C. Cooperative Extension prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy), disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and veteran status. Individuals with disabilities are invited to request reasonable accommodations to participate in Extension sponsored programs and events. Please contact the county Extension office or campus department offering the program at least 14 days prior to the event to make arrangements.