Florida Keys National Wildlife Refuges Complex Plans to Conduct Prescribed Burns on Little Pine Key November 12-18.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service plans to conduct prescribed burns on Little Pine Key within the National Key Deer Refuge between November 12-18 as conditions allow. When correct weather conditions permit, a highly qualified staff of interagency professional fire specialists will implement prescribed burns in the Florida Keys Refuges. The primary reasons for conducting prescribed burns are to remove the over accumulation of vegetation acting as fire fuel along our wildland-urban interface to protect our community private property and residents, and for ecological purposes aimed at mimicking a natural fire in the pine rockland habitat. Ecological restoration is our focus on Little Pine Key; restoration and maintenance of the fire-dependent pine rockland habitat is essential for a healthy ecosystem. Prescribed burns are important for the continued survival of local species such as the federally endangered Key deer, the Bartram’s hairstreak butterfly and the butterfly’s host plant, pineland croton, which has evolved to be dependent upon fire. 

Community updates will be announced on Florida Keys Refuges Facebook (FloridaKeysRefuges).

For more information, please contact Brian Pippin at 931-260-3350 or [email protected], and 

follow Refuge updates on our Facebook page: 

https://www.facebook.com/floridakeysrefuges 

The National Wildlife Refuge System protects wildlife and wildlife habitat on more than 150 million acres of land and water from the Caribbean to the Pacific, Maine to Alaska. Refuges also improve human health, provide outdoor recreation, and support local economies. Visit our home page at http://www.fws.gov/refuges/.

The mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants, and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are both a leader and trusted partner in fish and wildlife conservation, known for our scientific excellence, stewardship of lands and natural resources, dedicated professionals, and commitment to public service. For more information on our work and the people who make it happen, visit http://www.fws.gov/.  

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