The Alabama Prescribed Fire Council (APFC) has announced the award of the Larry Ford Prescribed Fire Scholarship to three Auburn University College of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment (CFWE) students studying forestry. With this scholarship, each student was given the opportunity to learn from industry professionals about prescribed burning, its benefits and the importance of prescribed fire certification. 

Established to honor Auburn alumnus Larry Ford and his contributions to the field of forestry and fire ecology, this scholarship awards financial assistance for the selected students’ attendance at the APFC annual meeting. 

Advised by Heather D. Alexander, the Dwain G. Luce Associate Professor of forest ecology, the 2024 Larry Ford Scholarship recipients are Joseph Kitts, an undergraduate; Josue Chevez-Sahona, a graduate student; and Kathleen Gabler, a doctoral candidate. 

“For these students, this scholarship is just the beginning of their journey and one of the first steps to being in a long career in the prescribed burning field like Larry Ford,” said John McGuire, APFC member and CFWE alumnus.  

McGuire, who directs the Private Lands Fire Initiative at Tall Timbers Inc., has dedicated his career to advocating for prescribed fire as a key tool for land management and forestry research. 

His work goes beyond restoration—it supports the next generation of forestry professionals, including those honored with the Larry Ford Prescribed Fire Scholarship.   

The theme for the 2024 APFC meeting integrated concepts of balancing habitat restoration and smoke management impacts on wildlife. While attending this meeting, Kitts, Chevez-Sahona and Gabler had the opportunity to connect with industry professionals, enhance their networking skills and gain valuable insights that will benefit their future careers. Their commitment to sustainable land management and conservation reflects the core values of the CFWE, making them exemplary ambassadors for the scholarship.  

Joseph Kitts

A senior majoring in forestry, Kitts is a dedicated student in the CFWE. His journey into forestry was inspired by conversations with employers who encouraged him to pursue a degree and further advance his career. Kitts values the hands-on experiences and field time that his major offers, which he believes are essential for skill development.  

“The people I have met and my professors’ desire to see us succeed along with classmates that help each other when someone needs it have been the most impactful aspect of the CFWE,” Kitts said. 

As Kitts approaches graduation, he is eager to launch a career that allows him to travel across the country, gaining diverse experiences within the industry. He views this scholarship as an opportunity not only to further his education but also to connect with professionals in the field. 

 

Josue Chevez-Sahona  

A graduate student in the forestry program, Chevez-Sahona is deeply engaged in research in the CFWE Forest and Fire Ecology Lab where he focuses on carbon sequestration and storage in biomes like prairies and savannas. Additionally, he serves as the secretary of the CFWE Graduate Student Association and a member of the social media committee for the Zamorano Alumni Association at Auburn.

Originally from Ecuador, he moved to Honduras where he earned his bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences and development at Zamorano University. From there, he secured an internship at Louisiana State University, concentrating on assessing net primary productivity (litterfall) in mangrove forests and its influence on carbon cycling sequestration. Chevez-Sahona credits this internship with igniting his passion for the hands-on aspects of his research.  

“This scholarship bridges the gap between research and public outreach, empowering me to share knowledge on sustainable natural resource management and conservation practices,” Chevez-Sahona said.  

He believes that fire plays a crucial role in restoration practices within his studies. Through this scholarship, Chevez-Sahona gained a deeper understanding of fire’s biotic elements and its implications, not only for carbon sequestration and storage, but also providing essential ecosystem services such as biodiversity and wildlife habitat. 

 

Kathleen Gabler 

A forestry doctoral candidate, Gabler dedicates her time to researching the mortality and vitality of old trees alongside teaching a class each semester. Her diverse academic background has led her to focus on sustainable land management and the distribution of plant species.  

Gabler’s academic journey spans multiple disciplines including geography and regional planning to plant biology and ecology. Her work is centered on the questions of why plants grow where they do and how land can be managed sustainably. A pivotal moment in her career came when she took an opportunity to help a graduate student with tree-coring research in Yosemite National Park to uncover the park’s fire history, sparking her interest in learning how disturbances shape landscapes. 

Gabler values the hands-on nature of her program, collaborating with leaders in land management across the state, including professionals from the APFC, The Nature Conservancy, Alabama Forestry Commission, and the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 

Gabler says that this scholarship will allow her to “become part of this community and connect with others who share my passion for prescribed fire and land management, enabling me to grow and make a meaningful impact in my field.”

“Receiving the Larry Ford Prescribed Fire Scholarship is a great accomplishment for these students. The scholarship recognizes their past achievements related to fire management, but also their career aspirations. It’s like a ‘welcoming’ into the fire community and acknowledgement of their very important place among all the many others working to understanding fire’s very important role in Alabama’s ecosystems.”

— Heather Alexander, the Dwain G. Luce Associate Professor of forest ecology