Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council Welcomes Rose Brown as its First Executive Director
New leadership marks a milestone in expanding prescribed fire capacity across Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council (WPFC) is pleased to announce the hiring of its first Executive Director, Rose Brown, marking a significant milestone in expanding prescribed fire capacity across Wisconsin, while continuing to make prescribed fire safer, more effective, and more widely accepted throughout the state.
Fire is an essential tool for restoring and maintaining Wisconsin’s fire-adapted ecosystems. Founded in 2003, the Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council (WPFC) brings together government agencies, conservation organizations, Tribal partners, private landowners, contractors, researchers, volunteers, and other prescribed fire practitioners to advance the safe, effective, and professional use of prescribed fire as an essential land management tool.
Through education, collaboration, and advocacy, the Council works to increase Wisconsin’s prescribed fire capacity, address critical conservation needs, enhance public understanding, and serve as a unified voice for the prescribed fire community.
As the Council continues to grow, establishing its first Executive Director reflects both the increasing demand for prescribed fire and the organization’s vision for the future.
Rose Brown joins WPFC with a proven record of nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, fundraising, partnership development, volunteer engagement, and organizational expansion. Throughout her career, she has successfully guided nonprofit organizations in multiple states through periods of growth while building collaborative relationships that strengthen missions and expand community impact.
“Rose’s experience building organizations, cultivating partnerships, and empowering volunteers makes her an ideal leader for this next chapter,” said Jeb Barzen, Chair of the WPFC Board of Directors. “Her leadership will complement the tremendous work already being accomplished by WPFC while helping us expand our capacity statewide.”
Brown will work alongside WPFC’s experienced staff, Board of Directors, committee members, volunteers, agency partners, nonprofit organizations, Tribal nations, contractors, landowners, and Prescribed Burn Associations to implement the Council’s long-term vision.
Central to that vision is an ambitious goal: increasing Wisconsin’s annual prescribed fire acreage ten-fold to 1,000,000 acres per year while ensuring that everyone interested in using prescribed fire has access to the training, resources, mentorship, and support needed to burn safely and effectively.
Prescribed fire plays a critical role in restoring Wisconsin’s prairies, oak savannas, wetlands, barrens, forests, and working lands. It improves wildlife habitat, increases carbon storage, improves groundwater recharge, helps control invasive species, reduces hazardous fuels, supports biodiversity, and strengthens ecosystem resilience.
As Executive Director, Brown will focus on expanding organizational capacity, securing sustainable funding, supporting staff, strengthening partnerships, growing membership, and ensuring that the Council remains a trusted resource for anyone interested in prescribed fire.
“The path to one million acres is not about one person or one organization,” Brown said. “It’s about empowering thousands of people across Wisconsin with the knowledge, confidence, and support to use prescribed fire safely. I’m honored to join an organization with such a strong foundation of dedicated staff, engaged volunteers, committed board members, hardworking committees, and outstanding partners. Together, we can build a stronger burn network that benefits our landscapes, our communities, and future generations.”
About the Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council:
The Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council is a statewide coalition dedicated to making the use of prescribed fire safer, more effective, and more widely accepted for all practitioners. Through education, training, collaboration, advocacy, and partnership, the Council works to increase the safe use of prescribed fire across Wisconsin while supporting healthy ecosystems and resilient landscapes.
