A collaboration between the First Peoples Conservation Council and the US Department of Agriculture-Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS)

Since ancient times, Tribes have used fire to maintain certain environmental conditions connected to marsh vegetation. We used ‘control’ burn events proactively to maintain fire breaks around our homes. We used ‘control’ burn situations to reduce chafe build-up, to reduce choking undergrowth and allowed for new growth (or as we say, greening). However, as more people live closer to each other, burnings could result in property damages, etc.  New laws and regulations were adopted to ensure that ‘control burnings’ are supervised by trained and certified individuals. In order to continue with a cultural practice and be in compliance with state laws. Tribal members went through state ‘marsh burning’ training classes sponsored by NRCS. NRCS continues to be an advocate to Tribes, helping us to find ways to preserve our cultural and heritage lifeways in modern era.