Public Invited to Learn About the Benefits of Prescribed Burns on September 8th

(GRAND ISLAND, NE)-  Farmers and ranchers in the Loess hills south of Gothenburg and Cozad, Nebraska have had good success using fire to improve and maintain their pastures.  After burning 5,000 acres this spring, the Central Platte NRD, NRCS, and landowner Mark Alberts are excited to share the benefits from the large landscape burn.  The public is invited to attend CPNRD's Prescribed Fire Information Meeting to be held on Thursday, September 8 from 10:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. @ the Nebraska Barn & Grill in Gothenburg, NE. There is no cost to attend & buffet lunch is sponsored.  RSVP no later than Sept. 6th for lunch count with Marcia Lee at (308) 385-6282,  lee [at] cpnrd.org; or Teri Edeal at (308) 325-1056.

AGENDA FOR SEPTEMBER 8

10:30  Welcome & Introduction- David Carr, CPNRD
10:45  Central Platte Rangeland Alliance Information, Process of Getting Ready- Mark Alberts, Landowner
11:15  Burn Benefits and CPNRD Grassland Conservation Program- David Carr
11:45  Sponsored Lunch
12:15  Prescribed Burn Information/NRCS- Teri Edeal, NRCS
1:15   Optional Outside Burn Unit Site Visit

OPTIONAL SITE VISIT   The outside site burn unit visit will show the areas that were burned this spring including what the pastures looked like prior to the prescribed burns and the dramatic results after the burns. Participants will see firsthand how fire affects pastures and cedar trees.

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. 

To RSVP and/or for questions, contact Teri Edeal at (308) 325-1056; Mark Alberts at (308) 529-0642; or David Carr at (308) 385-6282.

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  [CPNRD Logosm]

  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