CHARLES "CHAZ" OLIVER - NIPFTC FIRE TRAINING SPECIALIST

Tall Timbers

13093 Henry Beadel Drive

Tallahassee, FL 32312

Email: coliver@talltimbers.org                                                   

Cell: (229) 378-5039

Chaz's upbringing in the Red Hills region of southwest Georgia and north Florida, just north of Tall Timbers, immersed him in a lifelong connection with fire. However, it wasn't until 2008, when he began reintroducing fire to his family's farm, that he grasped the crucial role fire played in preserving the structural integrity of the upland pine community he was managing.

After earning a bachelor's degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from the University of Georgia in 2011, Chaz embarked on his career journey. He kicked off as a land manager apprentice at the Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center, honing his skills in land management and furthering his expertise as a prescribed fire practitioner.

In 2013, Chaz joined The Nature Conservancy as a land steward at The Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve. Here, his focus centered on large-scale native warm-season grass restoration initiatives, alongside assisting state, federal, and private partners in implementing prescribed fire practices. By 2018, Chaz had risen to the role of Land Conservation Manager for The Nature Conservancy, where he oversaw eight preserves. His responsibilities encompassed all aspects of restoration, prescribed fire planning and execution, and general land management activities.

In October 2023, Chaz transitioned to the position of Fire Training Specialist at Tall Timbers, as an integrated staff member with The National Interagency Prescribed Fire Training Center. His aspiration is to inspire, transform, and educate others about the significance and artistry of prescribed fire.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Chaz and his wife Rachel share a deep appreciation for fishing, hunting, and the great outdoors, and spending quality time with their son Huxley and daughter Naomi whenever possible.