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The Shawangunk Ridge Biodiversity Partnership (SRBP) released a draft fire management plan for the Northern Shawangunk Ridge today. Public information meetings on the plan will be held on December 20th, 2010 at the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in New Paltz and at the Napanoch Firehouse on December 21st, 2010. Meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. with an informal session prior to a 7:00 p.m. presentation. The public comment period on the Plan extends until January 14, 2011.

Following the 3,000-acre Overlooks fire in 2008 at Minnewaska State Park Preserve, major land managers along the ridge agreed to develop a fire management plan for the northern Shawangunks, in order to reduce the threat of wildfire and to improve forest health. Members of the Shawangunk Ridge Biodiversity Partnership (SRBP) contributed to the development of the Northern Shawangunk Ridge Fire Management Plan.

“This fire management plan is an important step in our ability to effectively and safely manage fire in the Shawangunks, and to protect and sustain the unique natural resources found there,” said Willie Janeway, Regional Director for the NYS DEC.

Much of the forest of the northern Shawangunks is highly flammable and naturally prone to periodic wildfire. Many of the natural communities of plants and animals found on the ridge evolved with fire over thousands of years, and depend on a regular cycle of fire in order to thrive. Improved firefighting over the last 50-100 years has effectively eliminated wildfires from most portions of the ridge, resulting in many degraded forest communities. The significant accumulation of woody debris on the forest floor increases the potential for more intense wildfires to occur.

“Our success with prescribed burns has demonstrated how we can work collaboratively at a landscape scale to manage forest resources and improve habitat for the wealth of species found on the Shawangunk Ridge,” said Glenn Hoagland, Executive Director of the Mohonk Preserve.

The primary goals of the fire management plan are to improve firefighter and public safety and to maintain the health of the forest and wildlife habitats by restoring fire where it is needed.

Wildfires will still be suppressed when they occur on the ridge, but advance planning will make it possible to respond more effectively and to reduce the scope and intensity of fires that occur.

“After the Overlooks Fire, the benefits of fire to forest habitats at Minnewaska State Park Preserve became quite apparent,” said Jim Hall, Executive Director, Palisades Interstate Park Commission. “But the Overlooks Fire also demonstrated the importance of being better prepared to manage wildfire when it occurs, and this plan will help us do that,” he added.

The plan calls for the use of prescribed, or controlled fire as a tool to create fuel buffers. Prescribed fires are set safely and intentionally under well- defined conditions to achieve improve forest health, and are not set unless all of the required conditions (including moisture levels and wind) are met.

 “This plan provides a science-based planning tool that will improve forest health while reducing the risk of wildfire for firefighters and homeowners on the Shawangunk Ridge,” said Cara Lee, Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Shawangunk Ridge Program.

About the Shawangunk Ridge Biodiversity Partnership: Over 30,000 acres of the ridge are protected by the members of the Shawangunk Ridge Biodiversity Partnership. Composed of non-profit and public organizations, the Partnership uses science and land management strategies to preserve sensitive wildlife habitat and other natural resources. Informed by field research findings, partners collaboratively manage the larger landscape, provide environmental education, and work with local communities to preserve open space on the slopes of the ridge. The Partnership consists of the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, The Nature Conservancy, the Mohonk Preserve, the Open Space Institute, New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Museum, Palisades Interstate Park Commission, Cragsmoor Association, and Friends of the Shawangunks. For more information, visit www.gunksfireplan.org.

The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the Web at www.nature.org.