Fire, like rain and sunshine, has been an important part of our environment for millions of years, shaping the very nature of life on earth. 

More than half of the terrestrial world, including almost all of North America, depends on the existence of fire to maintain healthy plants and animals and natural resources upon which people depend, such as clean water. By acting now, we can work to restore the natural role of fire in our landscapes and conserve the rich diversity of life on earth now and for future generations.

The Conservancy’s George C. Gress, project manager, Acopian Preserve and PA Fire Specialist in Pennsylvania, answers questions about prescribed burns in Pennsylvania as well as his work with bog turtles.

nature.org: What role do you play at The Nature Conservancy?

George C. Gress: As part of my responsibility as fire specialist/land steward, I am a “burn boss” - which means that I help to plan and implement the Conservancy’s prescribed fire program in Pennsylvania.  In addition to this, I assist in the maintenance of many of our preserves, which involves boundary posting, maintenance and invasive species control.  I also work on our bog turtle program, where I contribute to planning, field work and reports. 

nature.org: Does your work focus in any particular area?

George C. Gress: Most of my work involves prescribed fire in the serpentine areas in southeastern Pennsylvania and northern Maryland, the scrub oak/pitch pine barrens and ridgetop barrens within the northeastern part of the state, and the northern forests of northcentral Pennsylvania.  My work with the bog turtle program is concentrated in the southeastern and southcentral parts of the state and is shared with Conservancy staff throughout the organization who can build on the research done here.

nature.org: What are your most important projects?

George C. Gress: One of the most important projects that I recently completed was a radio telemetry study of bog turtles at our Acopian Preserve.  This study has increased our understanding of the species, which is federally listed, and will allow us to more effectively conserve them in the heart of their range.   

Another aspect of my conservation work is the fire treatment that I mentioned earlier. Some unique habitats are shaped by fire, and the rare species within those areas need fire to regenerate growth and reduce the number of invasive species encroaching on the landscape. Recently, I’ve worked to increase staff training and capacity for our prescribed fire program.  This will add critical depth to our qualified staff fire personnel, and bring new perspective and ideas to the program.  It’s going to enable us to reach out more effectively to partners, and to encourage the use of prescribed fire both in Pennsylvania and throughout the northeastern U.S..

nature.org: What is the Conservancy’s long-term goal for both its prescribed fire program in Pennsylvania and bog turtle program?

George C. Gress: As far as the prescribed fire program goes, we’d like to restore and maintain the fire-dependent ecosystems in Pennsylvania, and involve partners so that they do the same on their own lands.

With bog turtles, the Conservancy hopes to restore and maintain a network of populations throughout their range, and protect them from illegal collection. 

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © George C. Gress/TNC (Prescribed burn at West Branch Wilderness Preserve); Photo © George C. Gress/TNC (George C.Gress); Photo © George C. Gress/TNC (Bog turtle at Acopian Preserve).