Without periodic fires, these ecological communities would in many places cease to exist. The Nature Conservancy owns 322 sites, representing about one-quarter of all its preserves, which require periodic prescribed burning, both to maintain biodiversity and to control invasive weed species.
Fire is our most important management tool.
At present, Conservancy land stewards conduct over 300 carefully controlled prescribed burns each year. The team conducts fire managment workshops and consults with fire managers throughout the Country.