Each year, wildfires remind us how destructive fire can be. But under the right conditions, fire can also be a powerful conservation tool. Known as prescribed fire or controlled burning, this practice uses carefully planned burns carried out by trained professionals to restore and maintain healthy ecosystems.
Why Fire Matters for Wildlife and Landowners
Fire has long shaped Tennessee’s forests, grasslands, and wildlife habitats. Many native plant communities—like oak woodlands, shortleaf pine stands, and native grasslands—actually rely on periodic fire to thrive.
When fire is reintroduced through prescribed burning, it opens up the forest floor, clears out dense vegetation, and stimulates new growth. This fresh growth provides high-quality food and cover for everything from ground-nesting birds to pollinators and deer. Healthier habitats support a wider variety of wildlife and create more resilient landscapes overall.
Improving Forest Health
Over time, without natural disturbances like fire, aggressive shrubs and trees can overtake open areas, crowding out native grasses and wildflowers. Prescribed burns help manage this encroachment, giving sunlight and nutrients back to the plants that belong there.
For landowners, this can mean healthier forests, better hunting opportunities, and more cost-effective land management. Fire can even help reduce pest and disease threats, limiting the conditions many invasive species rely on to spread.
A Tool for Healthy, Resilient Landscapes
When applied safely and strategically by trained professionals, prescribed fire is one of the most effective tools for maintaining Tennessee’s open habitats. It benefits wildlife, supports conservation goals, and promotes growth of native forbs and grasses—making it a win for both landowners and the environment.
If you are interested in restoration and learning about prescribed fire as a management tool for your property, fill out our Landowner Interest Form and our Habitat Restoration team will get in touch.
