What is a Prescribed Burn Association (PBA)?
A PBA is a community-based organization connecting landowners and the general public to training, equipment, and educational programs to increase the effectiveness and safety of prescribed fires on private lands. PBAs help manage risk by ensuring appropriate preparations are in place before each burn, including:
• assisting with burn plans
• procuring equipment
• creating adequate fire breaks
• helping ensure a sufficient team of support is present
Who is the NC Sandhills PBA (SPBA)?
We are a grassroots association — led by citizens and structured through a steering committee — of committed landowners who use, or are ready to use, prescribed fire.
There has been success in restoring Longleaf on public lands; however, privately held lands represent both the greatest challenge and greatest opportunity as landowners own 61% of current and potential Longleaf acreage in the US. Building private landowners’ capability to conduct their own burns is critical due to the lack of agency and contractor capacity and the limited number of days available to burn.
The SPBA provides workshops, field days, and mentorship programs to private landowners and participants who wish to increase their comfort, capacity, and confidence to conduct prescribed burns, and participate in actively restoring this precious resource.
And, for those landowners who are ready to use prescribed fire but don’t feel confident to do their own burning, the SPBA has a working relationship with many contractors and foresters who can provide the needed resources.
NC Sandhills PBA is now a partner, and a fiscally sponsored program, of the National Wildlife Federation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.
SPONSORS
NC Sandhills PBA is now a partner of, and a fiscally sponsored program, of the National Wildlife Federation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.
The National Wildlife Federation’s Southeast Forestry program supports a wide array of sustainable forestry practices, including prescribed fire in longleaf pine and other fire-adapted ecosystems. The strength of the organization has always been our ability to collaborate with diverse conservation interests and rally multiple voices toward solutions for wildlife. NWF’s work with private landowners and NC Sandhills PBA reflects this strength.
