PRESCRIBED BURNING, 1: Learn the role fire plays in 
maintaining habitat and species ... we'll explain on 
Passport to Texas ... 
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Passport to Texas ... from Texas Parks and Wildlife

Smokey the Bear was an effective symbol that taught us 
to be cautious with fire. 

But what got lost in that message is that fire is part 
of virtually all natural systems in North America.

Jim Gallagher, is assistant area manager at the Chaparral 
Wildlife Management Area, a 15, 200 acre research and 
demonstration facility in south Texas. 

Most of Texas was at one time a grassland. And grasslands 
are one of those peculiar natural systems that don't 
happen by chance. We're stuck in between the desserts and 
forest. And the reason it's a grassland is that we have 
fires historically.

Fire naturally limited the growth of woody plants in 
grassland ecosystems, preserving its ability to sustain 
the species dependent on it. Private land managers and 
land owners are encouraged to learn how they can use 
fire to maintain grasslands under their care, during a 
prescribed burning seminar, February 2, at the Chaparral.

You know, they're the guys with most of the land; 
ninety-seven percent of the state is owned by private 
individuals. So they're the ones who are going to have 
the largest impact on management and resources in the 
state. So if we can put the tools in their hands, then 
we're going to get a whole lot more done than if we just 
concentrate on doing all of it ourselves.

Find more information about the February second burn 
seminar in the calendar section of the TPWD web site.

That's our show ... sponsored by the Sport Fish And 
Wildlife Restoration Program ... For Texas Parks and 
Wildlife ... I'm Cecilia Nasti.