Using Fire to Protect and Preserve Georgia Forestland

Fire has been one of the most important tools harnessed by mankind, and one that has had significant impacts on forestland.  Fire is a natural part of forest ecology. Controlled burns stimulate the germination of desirable forest trees, help with fire prevention, and improves the habitat for threatened and endangered species.  Fire also reutilizes nutrients back into the soil and promotes vegetation growth.  Using fire on a regular basis will enhance and maintain wildlife habitat in fire-adapted ecosystems, reduce hazardous fuels, and protect property and natural resources.

Through a grant from NRCS, Golden Triangle RC&D founded a partnership with Seven Rivers RC&D to create the “Using Fire to Protect and Preserve Georgia Forestland” pilot program. The purpose of the this pilot project is to increase knowledge and confidence among landowners to burn their own land and encourage landowners with EQIP contracts to complete their burns and keep their contracts in compliance. In 2019, Golden Triangle RC&D and our partners began holding workshops across the state of Georgia. The first of these workshops was held at Birdsong Nature Center in Thomasville, Ga. These workshops equip landowners with the information they need to make decisions concerning their land.

Using additional funding from the American Forest Foundation, five Burn Trailers and four Forest Land Owner Associations will be created across Southern Georgia. Golden Triangle RC&D will be working with Seven Rivers RC&D, Pine Country RC&D, Central Savannah RC&D, and Coastal RC&D to accomplish these goals and ensure their continued success.

Burn Trailers will be made available to landowners in NRCS Regions 2,3 and 4 for a small fee. These pull-behind trailers will contain specified fire tools recommended by the Georgia Forest Commission. The foundation of additional “Forest Landowners Associations” will provide a platform for landowners to gather, share, educate and implement best practices of forest and land management,