In April, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) partnered to perform six controlled burns on Martha’s Vineyard in Edgartown and West Tisbury with funding from MassWildlife’s Habitat Management Grant Program, and with assistance from MA Department of Conservation and Recreation as well as both the Edgartown and West Tisbury Fire Departments.

Bamford Preserve (David Welch)

The burns will help foster the growth of globally imperiled sandplain grasslands and woodlands on Martha’s Vineyard. As one of the best tools for managing this ecosystem, controlled burns preserve the precious fire-adapted species that depend on these habitats.

Mazar property (David Welch)

“These burns are part of a larger effort to protect, restore, and expand sandplain ecosystems across their range, increasing biodiversity and securing resilient lands in the face of climate change,” according to Russ Hopping, Lead Coastal Ecologist for the Trustees, “The habitat supports many rare plant and animal species but is becoming increasingly rare around the world. Martha’s Vineyard is one of the last remaining strongholds. In addition to perpetuating rare habitat, the fires will help support the goals of the Dukes County Community Wildfire Protection Plan which mitigates hazards for at-risk communities.”

Burn crew personnel (Mike Whittemore)

To read more about this effort, see the following media articles:

MV Times: Controlled burns ongoing on the Vineyard

Vineyard Gazette – Multiple Prescribed Burns Continue Cycle of Regrowth Across The Island

Bludot Living – Field Notes: Prescribed Burns on Martha’s Vineyard