Burning for Wildlife: NWTF Supports Missouri Prescribed Fire Council

Across Missouri, PBAs are actively managing forests and grasslands on private lands in their local communities. These associations not only help implement prescribed fire but also teach landowners about the ecological and safety benefits of fire and how to use it responsibly. By equipping landowners with knowledge, tools and community support, PBAs are making prescribed fire more attainable and effective. 

There are currently 18 PBAs in Missouri, and several others are still in development, reflecting the growing recognition of prescribed fire’s importance. Each PBA provides a framework where neighbors with a shared interest in improving wildlife habitat join together, pooling knowledge, people power and equipment.  

Prescribed fire is one of the most efficient and cost-effective tools available to restore and maintain native grassland and open woodland habitats — critical nesting and brood-rearing areas for wild turkeys and many other species. It also plays an important role in community safety by reducing hazardous fuels that can contribute to uncontrolled wildfires. By encouraging more landowners to adopt prescribed fire, Missouri communities benefit from healthier ecosystems and reduced wildfire risk. 

Though much of the work conducted by PBAs takes place on private land, the impact extends far beyond property lines.  

“Like many Midwestern States, Missouri is dominated by private land (93%),” said John Burk, NWTF district biologist for Missouri, Iowa and Illinois. “Providing support funding to the MPFC allows us to extend our reach on private lands. Five years ago, there were only four established PBAs in Missouri and today we are approaching statewide coverage. The MDC provides support funding needed to get basic burning equipment to the PBAs, and our funding rounds out these trailers with additional equipment, as well as providing the only source of support funding for MPFC that helps with operating costs and other expenses. In recent years, many folks had grown concerned over declining turkey populations and increasing the capacity to conduct burns on private land is how the NWTF and our partners are effectively addressing this challenge.” 

The Missouri Department of Conservation has also committed $50,000 to PBA development, amplifying the impact of NWTF’s Super Fund investment and ensuring prescribed fire remains a viable, safe and effective tool for Missouri’s landowners and wildlife managers. 

About the National Wild Turkey Federation       

Since 1973, the National Wild Turkey Federation has invested over half a billion dollars into wildlife conservation and has positively impacted over 24 million acres of critical wildlife habitat. The NWTF has also invested over $10 million into wild turkey research to guide the management of the wild turkey population and to ensure sustainable populations into perpetuity. The organization continues to deliver its mission by working across boundaries on a landscape scale through its Four Shared Values: clean and abundant water, healthy forests and wildlife habitat, resilient communities, and robust recreational opportunities. With the help of its dedicated members, partners and staff, the NWTF continues its work to provide Healthy Habitats. and Healthy Harvests. for future generations.