The Nature Conservancy of Texas
Fire Management Program

Edwards Plateau Ecoregion

An amazing abundance of species resides in the terrestrial and aquatic habitats of this ecoregion. Unfortunately, increasing urban sprawl and the consequent suburbinization of rural areas is displacing endangered species, as well as threatening the quality of the underground aquifer. Encroaching development also increases the risk of a Wildland/Urban Interface fire incident.

The Barton Creek Habitat Preserve (4,084 acres) and the Love Creek Preserve (1,400 acres), are sites in the Edward's plateau which benefit from prescribed fire. In this region, The Nature Conservancy fire personnel also partner with local fire departments and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, in order to coordinate and manage prescribed fire and fire suppression activities.

The Barton Creek site is nestled along four miles of a pristine creek, which supplies water to the Edwards Aquifer. The Fire Management Program has been burning at this location in order to restore habitat for the federally endangered black-capped vireo (Vireo atricapillus) which in recent history nested on this preserve. This bird requires hilltops with early successional vegetation. The reduction of ashe juniper (Juniperus ashei) should also increase the recharge into Barton Creek, which will subsequently enhance the habitat for the federally endangered Barton Springs salamander (Eurycea sosorun).

The newly acquired Love Creek Preserve is scheduled to be burned in order to restore native grasses and provide habitat for the black-capped vireo. In conjunction with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, effects of fire on the federally endangered tobusch fish-hook cactus (Ancistrocactus tobuschi) will be studied.

At Fort Hood, Conservancy personnel monitor the effects of wildfire on endangered species habitat and populations, and assist the Fort Hood Natural Resource Branch with prescribed burning, firebreak preparation and mapping. Prescribed burns on the base are conducted to decrease fuel loads around endangered species habitat so that training caused fires consume minimal amounts of habitat. On post, there are approximately 6,600 acres of black-capped vireo habitat and 54,000 acres of golden cheeked warbler habitat. Approximately 5,000 acres are prescribed burned each year, primarily during the dormant season.