The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) and Quail Forever (QF) will hold an informational meeting for landowners interested in forming a Prescribed Burn Association (PBA). The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 24, at Hagie's Nineteen Restaurant, 618 North Washington Ave. in Union.
A PBA is a collection of area landowners who work together to help each other conduct prescribed burns to increase the quality of their grasslands and woodlands. The formation of a PBA can improve the opportunities for individuals to safely and effectively conduct prescribed burns in the area.
Landowners who are interested in the following activities should consider attending this meeting and becoming involved in forming the PBA:
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Remove and control red cedars
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Control invasive species
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Increase pasture forage value
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Maintain quality wildlife habitat
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Learn about upcoming prescribed burn workshops
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Gain access to prescribed burn equipment
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Burning CRP as part of their Mid Contract Management plan
Through a PBA, area landowners would have increased access to burn equipment, manpower, burning expertise available to them, and possibly liability coverage.
"Those are typically the four limiting factors that make conducting a prescribed burn so hard to do," said Ryan Diener, QF Farm Bill Biologist. "By offering more prescribed burning resources to landowners, we should be able to improve the quality of grasslands and woodlands in the area. With the local efforts to improve quail and other wildlife habitat, this could put us over the thresh-hold and we could see a good rebound in wildlife populations with the increased management."
Currently, some landowners in the area are able to get burning done, but some say that they can't because they don't have any help to do it.
It is important that landowners do prescribed burns in a safe manner. Burning is a key tool for grassland, woodland, and glade management. Use of prescribed fire is essential to helping these natural communities thrive. A PBA can assist those doing burns by providing prescribed burn equipment, training, and assistance to PBA members. This informational meeting will offer a chance for those who wish to get involved an opportunity to learn how.
For more information, contact Diener at 636-399-8733 or MDC Private Lands Conservationist Lia Heppermann at 636-583-2303, ext. 115.