The Menominee Reservation of central Wisconsin (though encompassing only a small part of traditional Menominee territory) has been continually inhabited by the tribe for thousands of years. Throughout those years, the Menominee have always depended on their forest for their wellbeing. Even in the modern era, the forest remains central to the economy of the reservation. The Menomine, therefore, have a great interest in developing their already considerable knowledge of silviculture by researching the usefulness of fire as a tool of conservation. This field season, SCA individual placement Christopher Shay, in partnership with the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), will work with Menominee Tribal Enterprises (MTE) to document the effects of prescribed fire on the Menominee forest. Shay will also work to tailor the FIREMON protocols more closely to the needs of MTE personnel. By the end of the 2009 field season, analysis of MTE, SCA, and BIA research should illustrate the effectiveness of prescribed burns on maintaining forest health, and contribute to the MTE's award-winning sustainability practices
