The LandTrust is proud to have completed its first prescribed burn on LandTrust owned lands! On March 2nd, the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources (NC DFR) staff burned approximately 50 acres of fields on The LandTrust’s Capel Property.
“This burn will enhance the warm season native grasses on the property,” LandTrust Uwharrie Conservation Specialist Crystal Cockman states. “The native prairie ecosystem is in decline, and is a critical habitat for grassland songbirds such as grasshopper sparrows and loggerhead shrike, as well as game species such as quail.”
The LandTrust was able to contract NC DFR to do this prescribed burn through cost-share funding provided by the WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program) administered by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This program provides technical and financial assistance for landowners to manage lands for wildlife. Thanks to NRCS, DFR, and The LandTrust stewardship committee for making our first burn a huge success!
View this video of NC DFR County Ranger Scott Maynor at Capel burn discussing the importance of prescribed fire for native habitats and species: