Pheasants Forever and the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will be hosting a prescribed fire workshop at the Mid-Plains Community College in Imperial on Wednesday, Jan. 30.
    Workshop speakers familiar with fire will discuss how it can be used to benefit the land manager’s objectives for pasture, range and CRP.
    This year’s workshop will also include discussion about the possible formation of a new local Prescribed Burn Association.
    Fire has shaped Nebraska’s landscape for thousands of years. However, during the 20th century, residents have become very proficient in its suppression and prevention.
    According to Pheasants Forever Prescribed Fire Coordinating Biologist Brian Teeter, this lack of fire has resulted in negative consequences in the health and diversity of our prairies and forests which are critical to wildlife and agricultural economy.
    “You don’t have to travel very far to see that the eastern red cedar is rapidly expanding and is negatively affecting our grazing lands but there is also less obvious benefits that range from improving wildlife habitat to increasing forage quality,” Teeter said.

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