About AFE & SAFE Awards

Lifetime Achievement Awards in Fire Ecology and Management

AFE strives to honor career achievement in fire ecology and management by recognizing the pioneers and early advocates in our field. At AFE’s conferences, the Biswell, Stoddard, and Wright  Lifetime Achievement Awards are presented to individuals who have made a significant contribution to fire ecology and management in the United States, and who have inspired and mentored a generation of fire ecologists. Their contributions may be in research, management, teaching, service, outreach, or a combination of these areas.

The award for individuals whose primary work environment was in the western United States is named after Harold Biswell, longtime faculty member at the University of California-Berkeley. For those in the eastern United States, the award is named after the long-time prescribed fire advocate for longleaf pine management Herbert Stoddard, Sr.  For the grasslands and shrublands, the award is named after Henry Wright of Texas Tech University.

Student Association for Fire Ecology (SAFE) Graduate and Undergraduate Student Excellence Awards

Two Student Excellence awards are presented each year, one to a graduate student and another to an undergraduate student who are active members of recognized SAFE chapters and who demonstrate superior academic achievement and involvement in fire related research and activities.

Nomination Process