Resources
Resources for conducting prescribed burns can come from multiple federal agencies, including:
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
- USDA Forest Service
- US Department of Interior Fish and Wildlife Service
- US National Park Service
Often individuals are familiar with programs that offer financial incentives, but may not be as familiar with non-financially oriented programs that provide education, outreach, and research support for prescribed fire. Although not all inclusive, the linked table of resources, developed with the support of the Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability’s Prescribed Fire Work Group, will help you better understand the significant number of programs that currently support prescribed fire in the Southeastern United States.
Current Programs
| Entity | Description |
|---|---|
| America’s Longleaf Restoration Initiative | Collaborative effort that actively supports range-wide efforts to restore and conserve longleaf pine ecosystems; effort includes on-the-ground implementation teams at the state and local level |
| Association for Fire Ecology | Improves the knowledge and use of fire in land management through science and education |
| eXtension | Interactive learning environment delivering prescribed fire researched knowledge from the best land-grant university minds across America |
| Jones Ecological Research Center | Seeks to understand, to demonstrate, and to promote excellence in natural resource management and conservation on the landscape of the Southeastern coastal plain |
| National Interagency Prescribed Fire Training Center | Program blends field prescribed burning experience with curriculum of classroom instruction |
| National Wildlife Federation | Works to protect wildlife in the U.S. and inspire future generations |
| National Wild Turkey Federation | Works to conserve upland wildlife habitat in North America |
| Prescribed Fire Councils (varies by state, see How to Take Action) |
The Prescribed Fire Councils are organized at the state and local level and offer information-sharing and networking opportunities for individuals, agencies, and organizations through annual or biannual meetings open to all prescribed burners |
| Southern Fire Exchange | Regional program for fire science delivery in the SE. The site includes publications, models, and tools for prescribed fire in the Southeast |
| Southeast Prescribed Fire Update | A blog source for the latest in prescribed fire happenings throughout the southeast |
| Tall Timbers Research Station | Fire Ecology Program improves management for conservation of natural ecosystems through scientific research and outreach regarding the role of fire in natural plant communities |
| The Longleaf Alliance | Ensures a sustainable future for the longleaf pine ecosystem through partnerships, landowner assistance, and science-based education and outreach |
| The Nature Conservancy | Works to maintain fire’s natural role in our landscapes |
How to Take Action
Prescribed Fire Councils, organized at the state and local level, offer information-sharing and networking opportunities. Certification classes provide training for conducting prescribed fire.
