A Tribute to Craig Maier's Legacy: Support for His Son

The greater community of Fire Science and Management Professionals has been profoundly saddened to learn of the unexpected passing of our colleague and friend, Craig Maier on November 14, 2024. It is in honor and tribute to Craig that we have established this fund to help secure critical financial support for his young son, David Alfred.

Craig, the coordinator of the Tallgrass Prairie and Oak Savanna Fire Science Consortium, was an extremely thoughtful, deeply passionate and highly revered fire and grassland ecologist, prescribed fire advocate, and fire science program coordinator. His energies, influence and leadership had amazing reach, strengthened professional networks and resulted in uncountable accomplishments and friendships, locally and nationally.

Craig was also a beloved son, brother, partner, and uncle and above all, a beloved father and devoted parent to his young son, David Alfred. We extend our sympathies to his family and all others that loved Craig.

Craig was a quiet fellow with a preference for one-on-one connections, who left us with the gift of bringing all of us (friends, family, and colleagues) together in this time of shared grief and celebration of his life and light.

It is in Craig’s memory, his love for his son and assistance to his family, that we, his professional family, coordinate and advance this fundraising effort and establish a Tribute page.

All funds raised will be provided to Craig's family, in trust for and benefit to Craig's most important and greatest of legacy, his son.

This Tribute Wall has been established in Craig's name, to collectively share our personal and professional stories, adventures, reflections and other tributes. Everyone is welcomed and invited to actively engage and contribute to this tribute page, by posting text, prose, photos, art, and/or videos; reading and reflecting, and/or adding to the dialog, which in addition to supporting our healing journey, will create Craig’s Storybook, an invaluable gift for family.

Other Tributes which beautifully capture Craig's legacy in Wisconsin are provided by the Wisconsin Prescribed Fire Council

We very much welcome and encourage sharing of this tribute platform, to help extend the reach to all who personally or professionally knew Craig.

If you have questions or would like to connect directly, please reach out to Polly Weigand, NE Fire Projects Manager at the Forest Stewards Guild.