Promotion of Prescribed Fire
The use of prescribed fire as a habitat management tool is vital for many of the priority birds in the Central Hardwoods Bird Conservation Region. Most species evolved to live in fire-mediated habitats that were common prior to European settlement. Fire suppression in these habitats is considered a significant factor in the declines of many grassland-shrubland bird populations. Promotion and protection of this management practice is important to achieving the CHJV’s population goals for these species.
The CHJV is actively engaged in supporting prescribed fire use at not only the regional, but also the national level, and is a participating member of state prescribed fire councils in Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas and Tennessee. We also work closely with the Oaks and Forest Fire Consortium, the National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative’s Forestry Subcommittee and other organizations to maintain fire as a viable management tool.
