The Nature Conservancy: MD/DC Chapter

Sustainable has been working with The Nature Conservatory MD/DC Chapter since 2006.  We have provided training and education services and a suite of prescribed fire services aimed at helping TNC achieve the fire goals for their properties in Maryland.  The following is a description of past and present projects.

Piney Bog Burn Plan and Fuel Reduction

Piney Branch Bog is a unique bog habitat located in a PEPCO right of way in Charles County, Maryland. The Nature Conservancy is responsible for the management of the site and for maintaining and enhancing the variety of rare plant species found in the bog.  Fire has been identified as a critical tool to help achieve this goal.  As a result, Sustainable was contracted in 2007 to draft a Burn plan for the bog to help eliminate the heavy shrub layer that has invaded the bog. Since the bog is located underneath a high voltage powerline, a low impact forestry mower was used as a fire surrogate to remove the shrub canopy and open the bog to direct sunlight.  In addition, the mower reduced the height and composition of the fuels to prepare it for a low intensity prescribed fire in the spring of 2009. 

Sustainable is also working with TNC to develop a comprehensive management plan for the site to ensure its long term viability in an area that has growing housing developments and a recently approved powerplant.

   

 

Arc Pad Training

Sustainable was contracted in 2007 to provide a hands on training on the use of the ESRI Arc Pad software to TNC staff from MD and WV.

Johnson Fire Management Plan

The Johnson tract is a 1200 acre parcel located on Maryland Eastern shore.  Formally owned by the Glatfelter Pulp and Paper company, the tract was purchased by TNC due to its range of its biologically diverse habitat types.  TNC identified the use of prescribed fire as a critical management tool for restoring the site to the desired condition.  As a result, Sustainable was contracted to develop a comprehensive Site Fire Management plan for the property.  This document outlines the current site conditions, historic fire regimes, fire regime condition class, and a fire regime protocol.  The plan also includes burn plans for reintroducing fire to the preserve.

Johnson Burn Boss

Building on the work done in the site fire management plan, Sustainable served as the Burn Boss on a 17 acre prescribed fire in the spring of 2008.  This successful burn represents a major leap forward for the TNC MD/DC chapters in achieving its goal of reintroducing fire to both the Johnson tract and their entire Nassawango preserve.  Prescribed fire operations continued on the Johnson in the spring of 2009, with Sustainable serving as the contract Burn Boss on over 250 acres on the Johnson tract.  These controlled burns were a huge success, and resulted in the restoration of a rare orchid to the site.

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Dorchester Pond Burn Boss

Dorchester Pond is the largest coastal plain pond in Maryland, and possibly on the Delmarva Peninsula.  Sustainable provided Burn Boss services in the Spring of 2009 to help TNC use fire to eliminate hardwood encroachment on this unique habitat.

 

Plum Creek Burn Plan

Mixed pine oak forests, freshwater wetlands, and ancient sand dunes that support globally rare plants are all found at this unique site. Sustainable was contracted by TNC to draft a prescribed fire plan for the Plum Creek preserve. Sustainable then provided burn boss services in April of 2009 to reintroduce fire to a xeric dune area and an old agricultural field on the preserve.  Directing a fire crew consisting of TNC staff and a representative from the MD DNR Heritage department, Sustainable provided the equipment and expertise to help TNC use prescribed fire to achieve its restoration goals for the site.