Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

The Landowners' Decision: Grazing and fire as management tools on Iowa grasslands and oak savannas

Project ID: E2007-05

Abstract

Surveys were used to examine landowner attitudes, perceptions and knowledge of fire as a management tool for controlling invasive species and enhancing conditions for native plants and animals on recreational and productive agricultural lands.

Key Question: What are grassland landowners’ knowledge and perceptions about the use of prescribed fire and grazing as management tools for prairie restoration on working agricultural lands?

Findings: The survey and conceptual mapping processes revealed lack of experience and knowledge of prescribed burning as an effective tool for managing encroachment of eastern red cedar, protecting and restoring native prairie, and providing quality forage for cattle production.

Lead investigator: Lois Wright Morton, ISU Sociology

Co-Investigator(s):

James Miller, University of Illinois; David Engle, Oklahoma State University

Year of grant completion: 2011

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Ecology Initiative.

Topics: Agroforestry, Watershed and ecoregion, Weed control alternatives (not GMOs)