About
Mission
The North Atlantic Fire Science Exchange (NAFSE) is a valuable, credible, and relevant hub for science information delivery and collaboration between managers and researchers to create a resilient North Atlantic landscape.
We bring people together. We serve as an anchor for the fire science community in the northeast United States by:
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connecting scientists and managers
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helping generate innovative solutions for fire-related challenges
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promoting and facilitating fire science research and partnerships
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increasing evidence-based knowledge exchange
NAFSE is funded by the Joint Fire Science Program
as part of their Fire Science Exchange Network.
Fire science communication in a complex landscape.
Leadership Team
Dr. Nick Skowronski, Principal Investigator
nskowronski@fs.fed.us
Nick Skowronski has been a Research Forester with the USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station (NRS) since 2007. He has also served as the prescribed burn coordinator at Ft. Dix, NJ and as a research technician for the NRS. Nick’s research is focused on the impacts that land management activities have on fuel loading, carbon cycling, and habitat quality. He is particularly interested in estimating canopy fuels in three-dimensional space using lasers on the ground and in aircraft. Having worked formerly in fire management, Nick is extremely interested in developing better relationships between scientists and land managers so that research can become more integrated with the needs in the field.
Erin Lane, Exchange Coordinator
erin.d.lane@usda.gov
Erin is a co-founder and coordinator of the North Atlantic Fire Science Exchange serving the fire community of this region through advancement and delivery of relevant fire science. Erin also works as the main coordinator for the United States Department of Agriculture Northeast Climate Hub—delivering science-based information to farmers and foresters to help them adapt to the changing climate. Her passions lay in teamwork and collaborations with partners. She enjoys bringing people together and addressing challenges. Erin started her career with the US Forest Service in 1997 and began by spending several seasons as a wildland firefighter first, learning about positive communications through digging line with her crew during 50 hour shifts. Tremendous accomplishments were achieved due to the camaraderie Erin experienced on her Hot Shot Crew and she strives to develop this highly effective function with her current teams.
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Amanda Mahaffey, Workshop and Field Trip Coordinator
amanda@forestguild.org
Amanda Mahaffey is a co-founder of the North Atlantic Fire Science Exchange and serves as Deputy Director for the Forest Stewards Guild, a professional organization of foresters and affiliated natural resource stewards that promote and practice ecologically responsible forestry. Amanda collaborates with partners on place-based projects on themes such as Foresters for the Birds, Women and Our Woods, the Rhode Island Woodland Partnership, and climate change adaptation. Amanda is a Maine licensed forester and holds degrees from Yale University and the University of Southern Maine. She has a history of conducting effective collaborative events and is excited to bring the Forest Guild’s experience with fire science and management in the Southwest to the North Atlantic Fire Science Exchange.
Catalyzing collaboration between managers and scientists to create a safe and resilient North Atlantic landscape.
Community Representatives
Community Representatives provide important feedback to the Leadership Team on NAFSE’s vision and plan of work, share timely and relevant information on the needs and interests of the community, and assist with the dissemination of information to and from their organizations.
Jon Bailey, TNC
Thomas Brady, NFFPC
Joel Carlson, MAARNG
Jenny Case, TNC
Kenneth Clark, USFS
Don Donnelly, NJ Audubon
Maris Gabliks, USFS
Michael Gallagher, USFS
Tom Gerber, NJFFS
Neil Gifford, APBPC
Lauren Howard, Arcadia U.
Inga La Puma, LANDFIRE
Greg Nowacki, USFS
James MacKinnon, DLF-NS
William Patterson III, UMass
John Ross, CIFFC
Kathy Schwager, BNL
Albert Simeoni, WPI
Tim Simmons, Simmons Stewardship
Brad Simpkins, USFS