Prescribed fire perspectives in North Dakota

Photo Credit

Photo by C. L. Wonkka

Little Missouri National Grassland in North Dakota

Private landowners near national grasslands in North Dakota want managers to prioritize sound science in making decisions and are motivated by an interest in stewardship. However, they carry negative perceptions of prescribed fire and report lower awareness of its benefits.

Although they associate prescribed fire with the U.S. Forest Service, landowners show less trust in the agency in conducting or providing information about prescribed fire, while NGOs doing similar management outreach, such as Pheasants Forever, are considered to be a more trusted source.

The Forest Service may not have local support when conducting prescribed fire on the Dakota Prairie Grassland, but educational materials and demonstrations by smaller NGOs may help landowners consider the benefits of prescribed fire on or near the Dakota Prairie Grassland.

This work uses survey information specific to North Dakota to better understand the communities' concerns about conducting prescribed fire on and around national grasslands managed by the Forest Service.