Prescribed Fire in the Great Plains

Grassland birds have suffered an extraordinary decline over the past half century, rooted in the degradation and development of the grasslands they depend on for survival. Healthy grasslands offer abundant, diverse grasses and wildflowers that support millions of resident, nesting, and migrating birds. The open, expansive nature of prairies also allows for effective predator detection and ample space for courtship displays and territorial behaviors among grassland birds.  

Grasslands are resilient, disturbance adapted ecosystems that would not exist as they are today without the forces of grazing, fire, and drought. Historically, all of these forces joined to create a patchwork of habitat across the landscape. Today, habitat management professionals mimic both wildfire and indigenous people’s use of fire through carefully planned and prescribed fires. Prescribed fire, when carefully planned and applied, is a powerful tool for restoring prairie health. It helps control invasive species, rejuvenate native vegetation by clearing excess plant litter, and improve soil structure and nutrient cycling. These burns also reduce fuel loads, lowering the risk of uncontrolled wildfires. By reintroducing this natural process, landowners can enhance habitat quality, boost biodiversity, and increase forage productivity for both wildlife and livestock, ensuring the prairie remains resilient for generations to come.  

Reintroduction of fire through prescribed burning may be one of the best ways to restore function and diversity to native grasslands but perceptions of liability and risk limit its use. Having a better understanding of prescribed burning rules, regulations and liability is an important step in helping land managers perform a prescribed fire when needed to meet their land management needs. 

Audubon Great Plains participates in and leads local prescribed fire cooperatives across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. These cooperatives dispense the tools, knowledge, and connections necessary for landowners to implement safe and effective prescribed fire on their land. Audubon also plays a leading role in hosting workshops and field days to expand the skills and knowledge for landowners and prescribed fire practitioners.

Learn more about prescribed fire below or connect with our team to learn about upcoming workshops.