Over 20 partner organizations within the Central Hardwoods Joint Venture (CHJV) that are conducting fire-mediated habitat management work met at Bowling Green, Kentucky in August 2014 to explore how this community could better coordinate on activities for restoring communities of glades, barrens, and open-woodlands to enhance conservation for birds and other wildlife. The meeting consisted of presentations on the successes and challenges conducting work within the CHJV using prescribed fire and other techniques. It also consisted of in-depth discussions on ways to enhance such habitat management and ended with a consensus for establishing a permanent regional forum for sustained communication and collaboration around barrens, glades, and woodlands restoration.

Talks included an overview by CHJV Coordinator Jane Fitzgerald on the process used by the CHJV to link population goals for a set of “early-successional” or ”grass-shrub” bird species of conservation concern in the region with habitat objectives needed to reach those goals. Additional talks focused on mapping and classifying glades and other natural communities, restoration activities taking place on Arnold Air Force Base and Mammoth Cave National Park as well as National and State Forests, and how to address the public perceptions about forest management in hopes of helping build support for restoration work.

At the end of the meeting, participants agreed to:

  • Establish a list serve that people use to share information and experience with others, especially but not limited to management strategies.
  • Form a subcommittee to better refine natural community classification and mapping capability.
  • Continue to address human dimensions and public perceptions to build understanding and support for natural community restoration, especially with the general public.
  • Develop a bibliography of both published and white papers related to various aspects of restoration and the ecology of associated plant and animal species and communities. When finished, post on the CHJV website for download as needed.