This year we are launching a pilot program to provide funds to private landowners to support and encourage the responsible use of fire as a land stewardship tool, especially for grasslands. Our experience combined with ecological research shows that fire is the most effective and cost-efficient tool for grassland stewardship.  Fire not only benefits the native plant species that we want to encourage, but also discourages woody vegetation and many undesirable, invasive plant species.  Furthermore, fire is the most underused tool for grassland stewardship simply due to fear or trepidation about wildfires breaking out.  Controlled burning, under proper conditions, is a safe and highly effective tool to support healthy grasslands.  By offsetting the costs of prescribed burning by private landowners, GHF hopes to encourage a culture that embraces fire as grassland stewardship tool. 

 

What resources are available through this program to landowners?

GHF is offering up to $1000 for expenses such as purchasing equipment, hiring professional consultants, gaining training, or paying workers to burn private lands. Funding is based on proposed burn area. 

 

Which areas are prioritized to receive funding?

Funding from GHF would support reintroduction or continued application of fire to improve prairie landscapes.  In particular, we prioritize:

• Landscapes in which fire has not been used in management,

• Supporting individuals with little to no experience in burning,

• Landscapes where fire will increase biodiversity, and

• Conditions in which fire would reduce invasive species (e.g., sericea lespedeza, woody encroachment).

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Applications are accepted on a continuous basis. Successful applicants should use funds within a year’s time.