Bio
Michael Tiller holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Wildlife & Fisheries Management from Texas A&M and a Master’s Degree from Stephen F. Austin Statue University in Environmental Science with a focus on Fire Ecology, where he is currently working toward his Ph.D. in Forestry.

Talk “Fire Mitigation and Prevention and Their Role in Prairie Restoration”
Frequent low intensity fires are essential natural disturbances in prairie ecosystems that facilitate woody species control, nutrient recycling, and seed bed preparation for diverse groups of fire-dependent herbaceous species. Decades of fire exclusion in prairie ecosystems have led to widespread increases in woody plant invasion and significant reductions in herbaceous plant diversity. Current efforts to restore prescribed fire in prairie ecosystems is a proactive approach to reduce hazardous fuel loads and restore ecosystem resiliency and diversity in the Blackland Prairie and Cross Timbers Ecoregions of Texas.