Fire has always been a natural force in shaping ecosystems, influencing vegetation, soil, and wildlife. But with climate change driving hotter, drier conditions, and with human activity altering landscapes, the role of fire is shifting — bringing new risks to both people and the environment.
At the forefront of understanding these changes is Dr. Tara Strand, Fire Scientist at Scion, whose research focuses on fire behaviour, smoke modelling, and the impacts of wildfires on ecosystems and communities. Her work is helping to build resilience in the face of increasing wildfire risk, combining ecological insight with cutting-edge science and technology.
In this Vibe session, Tara will share the latest thinking on how fire interacts with our landscapes, the challenges and opportunities for managing fire in New Zealand, and what we can learn from international research. She’ll also explore how communities and land managers can adapt to a future where fire is an ever-present part of our ecology.
Join us to discover how science and innovation are reshaping our understanding of fire, and what it means for the future of our landscapes, biodiversity, and resilience.
Tuesday 21 October
4.00pm - 5.30pm
Stewart Building, Lincoln University
Timings
4:00pm – Arrival and networking
4:10pm – Welcome from Prof. Chad Hewitt, Provost, Lincoln University
4:15pm – Overview on what LU is doing in this space
4:20pm – Keynote presentation
4:45pm – Q&A
5:00pm – Networking
5:30pm – Event concludes
About Our Speaker
Dr Tara Strand
Dr Tara Strand is the General Manager, Forests & Landscapes at Scion, New Zealand. She holds a PhD in Civil Engineering (Atmospheric Science) from Washington State University (2007), along with an MSc in Environmental Engineering (2000) and a BSc in Civil Engineering (1996).
Her expertise spans modelling atmospheric particle dispersion, smoke emissions (both wild and prescribed fire), plume transport, turbulence in complex terrains, and assessing aerial spray applications (including wake and spray deposition) for effective, safe operations.
In her current leadership role, she oversees forest and landscape science programmes at Scion, including the coordination of biosecurity research.
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