Impacts of multi-method learning on prescribed fire perceptions in Texas

Abstract Background Woody plant encroachment is a significant issue affecting the diversity and continuity of vulnerable grassland savanna ecosystems throughout the southern Great Plains. Prescribed fire, particularly when paired with other techniques such as patch-burn grazing, offers a cost-effective solution toward controlling the spread and preserving these ecosystems. Despite its effectiveness, prescribed fire perceptions are often misunderstood among many stakeholder groups, further emphasizing the need for more effective outreach and education programs among today’s extension agents, range managers, prescribed fire advocates, and future landowners. This study assessed the effects of multi-method teaching strategies on enhancing knowledge and attitudes about prescribed fire among adult and youth participants in Texas using pre- and post-evaluation surveys. Results Key findings revealed that teaching methods which incorporated hands-on learning and interactive web-based learning were the most effective at improving prescribed fire knowledge and perceptions among participants. Further, the age group which experienced the most positive significant impact throughout the study was the 9th–12th age group. Lastly, this study revealed that a majority of participants in this study harbored no fear or apprehension toward prescribed fire before the intervention, but still improved overall perceptions following the study. Conclusion Our findings indicate that the methods and curriculum utilized in this study could serve as a valuable framework for extension agents and prescribed fire advocates to enhance public knowledge and perceptions about prescribed fire. Further research, particularly with participants who have varying levels of familiarity and experience with prescribed fire, may provide deeper insight to tailor communication to bridge the perceptual divide and expand outreach and educational efforts. This approach could help improve future extension programs to address diverse audiences effectively, which can in turn strengthen support for prescribed fire as a management tool.