Great Plains Fire Learning Network

The Network brings together landscapes from throughout the Great Plains to develop strategies to integrate private lands into landscape-scale fire management activities that serve restoration objectives. Conserving grassland habitats is a high priority for The Nature Conservancy, and lessons learned through this network will further grassland conservation efforts in other regions of the U.S. as well as in other countries and continents.

The Great Plains Fire Learning Network formed in 2004 to bring together stakeholders to develop strategies for private lands fire management and restoration.  The Network encompasses 22.3 million acres and is made up of primarily privately-owned landscapes.  Private ownership presents unique challenges to restoring fire on large landscapes, and integration of livestock grazing into restoration efforts is integral to success. 

The Network provides a forum for members to share and receive feedback on implementation plans, patch-burn grazing ideas and strategies, training and education concepts, running a private lands mobile fire crew, and other projects such as volunteer fire department engagement and the Grassbank project.  These efforts require fostering innovation and transferring lessons learned from individual projects to landscape-scale applications, and to scientists and key decision-makers who can facilitate the larger-scale changes needed to protect our vital grassland resources.