Fire Ecology and Florida's Birds: Fire and Feathers Eternally Linked

Fire is one of the most essential land management tools needed in Florida, but few people understand how or why fire is so important.With a focus on rare birds such as Florida Scrub-jay, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Bachman’s Sparrows, and others, our upcoming presentation will provide the background needed to understand why burning for birds is so important.  Jim Cox heads up the Stoddard Bird Lab and Tall Timbers in north Florida. The lab studies the effects of fire on birds and other organisms and also is helping to restore rare species to areas where they have disappeared.  Click in to learn why you should say “Thank goodness” the next time you see smoke in the air.

Florida has spent billions of dollars to purchase areas that support rare plants and animals. The funds have resulted in one of the best land conservation programs in the world, but the benefits will go up in smoke if we fail to manage our state parks and wildlife management areas properly.