Media Contacts
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Claire Cornell
Senior Communications Manager
The Nature Conservancy
Phone: 208-350-2206
Email: claire.cornell@tnc.org
Fire professionals and land stewards from The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Utah, with support from the Moab Valley Fire Department and Utah Division of Natural Resources, plan to conduct a pile burning effort at the Scott and Norma Matheson Wetlands Preserve for 1-2 days during the week of November 17-23, weather permitting. This burn is part of an effort to improve habitat by clearing out invasive species, removing hazardous woody fuels, and reducing the risk of high-intensity wildfires in Moab’s wildland-urban interface.
As part of our ongoing stewardship of Matheson Preserve, TNC has removed dense overgrowths of Russian olive—an invasive species that threatens native habitat—by clearing and piling them across the preserve. The most effective way to eliminate this species and prevent its regrowth is by burning these piles. This method not only eradicates the invasive plants but also reduces the presence of hazardous fuels, helping to lower the risk of future wildfires in and around the preserve.
TNC fire personnel and local partners will coordinate closely to monitor weather and on-the-ground conditions to ensure burning is managed within the safest window. If conditions are favorable, the piles will be ignited in a single day, followed by continuous monitoring. While fire personnel aim to minimize smoke impacts, some smoke may be visible during the day of burning and for 1-2 days following.
If conditions warrant, scheduled pile burning activities may be cancelled or rescheduled.
For more information or to stay updated on this burn, visit facebook.com/natureconservancyutah.
The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world’s toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more resilient. The Nature Conservancy is working to make a lasting difference around the world in 83 countries and territories (39 by direct conservation impact and 44 through partners) through a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. For more news, visit our newsroom or follow The Nature Conservancy on LinkedIn.