Prescribed burning in the taiga: A collaborative learning approach
FIELD TRIP: 30 years of prescribed burning in Swedish pine forestsWithin the ongoing LIFE-funded project Life2Taiga, a field trip is planned in Sweden 15–19 September 2025 to look at different forest sites where prescribed burns have been conducted over the years. Colleagues from other parts of Europe are invited to join the trip to look at some of the results we get from burning pine forests! |
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The vast Western Taiga forests are home to a unique array of fire-dependent species. But a lack of naturally occurring fire is slowly draining their vitality. How can we bring them back to life?
The Life2Taiga project focuses on restoring the ecological integrity of these taiga ecosystems. It aims to reintroduce fire, a critical ecological process, through prescribed burning in Natura 2000 sites across Sweden and Finland. This ambitious effort, co-funded by the European Commission's LIFE fund, brings together national agencies, regional authorities, and other dedicated partners.
But how do we truly measure the success of these burns? How can we ensure that the lessons learned are effectively applied to future restoration efforts?
In 2023–2024, FOS Europe partnered with the Life2Taiga team to start a learning initiative on prescribed burning in the taiga ecosystem. The aim was to improve the monitoring of the results from prescribed burning and how it is used to inform practices. Read the report here.
Webinar recording
On 21 February 2025, we arranged a webinar to share our experiences and insights on prescribed burning and restoration in taiga ecosystems. View the recording on YouTube:
What you will hear about
Fire and the taiga ecosystem: Why fire is essential for maintaining healthy forests in the taiga ecosystem, why it is no longer occurring naturally, and how prescribed burning can create a diverse and resilient forest landscape.
Using monitoring data for restoration work: How we designed a theory of change for prescribed burning, developed a monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) framework, and identified key learning questions to guide adaptive management.
Who is the webinar for?
This free webinar is for anyone interested in understanding restoration practices in taiga ecosystems. You will find it useful if you are:
- A conservation practitioner designing restoration interventions.
- A researcher or practitioner using or collecting monitoring data to inform practice.
- Anyone looking to bridge the gap between science and ecological restoration.
Speakers
Julia Carlsson, County Administrative Board of Västmanland
Anders Heurlin, County Administrative Board of Dalarna
Linnea Wängdahl, Foundations of Success
Nico Boenisch, Foundations of Success
🕦 Duration: 75 minutes
