Presribed burn at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge photographer-Michelle Williams, USFWS, 4/14/07, Wertheim NWR, Shirley, NY

On April 14, 2007  Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex conducted a successful prescribed burn on a 23-acre marsh island within the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, Shirley, New York.  The prescribed burn was part of the refuge's wildlife habitat management program.

Over the last 30 years, tidal marshes of the refuge have been gradually taken over by common reed, an invasive plant species that crowds out native plants and provides poor food and cover for wildlife. Common reed on the marsh island was treated with a herbicide in October 2006.  The prescribed burn was used to remove the dead canes and thatch to allow the growth of native wetland plants like three-square, bulrush, and smartweeds that provide high quality wildlife habitat.  The controlled fire will also reduce the chance for future wildfires by removing standing dead vegetation that burns easily. Once restored, the marsh island will provide valuable foraging and nesting areas for wading birds, song birds, and waterfowl. 

The prescribed burn was conducted under specific conditions when ground vegetation was dry enough to burn, but wet enough to prevent extreme fires.  Fire breaks were established around the burn site to stop the fire from spreading to other parts of the refuge. 

Several agencies, organizations, and volunteers assisted with the prescribed burn including:  The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, The Nature Conservancy, National Weather Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Pine Barrens Commission.

The Long Island National Wildlife Refuge Complex anticipates conducting additional burns in the future as part of its on-going efforts to remove invasive plant species and establish native plants that are of high value to wildlife.  As always, these future projects will be undertaken with the same concern for public safety and resource protection as its past actions.  The end result should be a noticeable increase in fish and wildlife use of the refuge and improved opportunities for wildlife-dependent public recreation.