The Nature Conservancy. Protecting nature. Preserving life.™

Ironically, just as grazing is important to the health of the prairie ecosystem, so is fire. Since 1990, the Conservancy has used prescribed burns on more than 306,000 acres at the preserve to mimic the seasonal fires that have shaped the prairie for thousands of years. Using a “patch burn” approach, Conservancy fire crews burn one-third of the preserve each year in randomly selected sections, meaning that some sections may be burned several years in a row and some sections might not be burned for several years. Areas not burned for several years develop mature grasses and thicker, thatch-like vegetation — habitat preferred by species like Henslow’s sparrows. Following a burn, new grass growth flourishes and is thus favored and avidly grazed by the bison.

It may not be greener on the other side of the fence, but for bison... it's definitely greener on the other side of the smoke.

Oklahoma Fire Facts for FY2012 - The Nature Conservancy had a relatively low year for prescribed burns in Oklahoma due to the persistent drought. However, we had a relatively active year chasing wildfires. Within the last 12 months in Oklahoma, the Conservancy has: 

• Conducted 13 prescribed burns on 6,646 acres of Conservancy land.
• Assisted with prescribed burning on 9,060 acres of private ranch lands and 3,480 acres of state land.
• Suppressed 3 wildfires on Conservancy land that burned 336 acres.
• Assisted our neighbors in suppressing 6 wildfires on private ranch lands.

Slideshow about the use of fire on Oklahoma Preserves ►

Learn More

· Use of Fire at the Nickel Preserve
· Bison, Fire and the Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
· 50 Years of Burning in The Nature Conservancy
· Re(Born) of Fire: Before and after images from controlled burns