Central Platte NRD To Host Prescribed Fire Workshops

(GRAND ISLAND, NE) Are you looking for a natural way to restore your pasture?  Conducting a prescribed burn can help.  The Central Platte Natural Resources District will be hosting the following local workshops for landowners to explain how to conduct a prescribed burn and what landowners need to carry out safe burns.  Presenters will discuss CRP renovation, grasslands management, invasive species control (Red Cedar/Smooth Brome), using alternative methods, and wildlife habitat improvement.
CPNRD Workshops 
All trainings are held from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. with burn demonstrations planned following the workshops.

Tues. Feb 7-  Callaway Senior Center, N Grand Ave. Callaway NE
                        RSVP Contact: Custer Co Ext (308) 872-6831
Wed. Feb 8- Brady Community Center, 121 North Main St. Brady NE
                       RSVP Contact: Twin Platte NRD (308) 535-8080
Thurs. Feb 9- Darn Small Pub, 102 W Railroad St. Eustis, NE
                        RSVP Contact: Dawson Co Ext  (308) 324-5501
                       -Additional: Firefighter School Thurs Eve, Feb 9, 6:30 pm
Fri. Feb 10- Wood River Fire Department, 410 Green St. Wood River, NE.
                       RSVP Contact: David Carr, Central Platte NRD (308) 385-6282

Additional trainings are being held statewide by several organizations.  Contact David Carr or visit: www.cpnrd.org for details on all trainings scheduled.

Prescribed fire can be a valuable tool in the maintenance and improvement of native grasslands. Rangeland areas that have not had fire occurrence are often sites of problems involving invasive species.  The invasive species, such as Eastern Red Cedar, can take away natural grassland acres that are necessary for grazing as well as for wildlife.  Rangelands that are always grazed in the fall or winter with no spring treatment may also become areas dominated by native and non-native cool season grasses and invasive weeds.  These areas offer a reduced food value to live-stock and are of reduced value to native wildlife.

When prescribed fire is used along with appropriate grazing practices, the results are increased economic output and wildlife benefit.  Fields that are moderately grazed and treated with periodic burns are more drought tolerant, more diverse in plant and wildlife species, more productive in late summer, at less risk for devastating summer wildfire, and at less risk for runoff and erosion.

For questions or more information, contact David Carr at (308) 385-6282 or email carr [at] cpnrd.org.

  Marcia Lee

  Information/Education Specialist
  Central Platte Natural Resources District

  215 Kaufman Ave  |  Grand Island NE 68803
  Tel: (308) 385-6282    www.cpnrd.org

Protecting Lives • Protecting Property • Protecting the Future