Fire

Photo credit – Chris Neggers/TNC

Restoring a Natural Process

Fire has shaped forests and woodlands for thousands of years. In many ecosystems, periodic low-intensity fire is essential to maintaining open forest structure, supporting biodiversity, and reducing the risk of severe wildfires. The Sam Shine Foundation’s Forest Program supports the responsible use of prescribed fire as a tool for ecosystem restoration and long-term forest health.

Why Fire Matters

For much of history, fire occurred naturally through lightning strikes and intentional use by Native American tribes. Over time, fire suppression has dramatically altered forest conditions - leading to denser forests, reduced biodiversity, and increased wildfire risk.

Prescribed fire helps:

  • Maintain open, healthy woodlands
  • Support birds, bats, and other wildlife
  • Encourage oak regeneration
  • Reduce dangerous fuel buildup

Video credit – TNC

How We Support Fire-Based Conservation

Capacity Building

We invest in organizations and agencies working to expand prescribed fire capacity - supporting trained staff, equipment, and planning needed to safely increase fire use on the landscape.

Applied Fire on Conserved Lands

We ensure that lands protected through conservation partnerships, including those stewarded by Buffalo Trace Land Trust, benefit from prescribed fire where appropriate.

Why It Matters

Reintroducing fire restores balance to ecosystems that evolved with it. By supporting prescribed fire today, we reduce future wildfire risk while improving habitat and ecosystem resilience.

Partnership

The Sam Shine Foundation has provided resources to  The Nature Conservancy in Indiana
o expand prescribed fire efforts across southern Indiana, increasing the amount of forest and barrens treated through controlled burns. We are also partnering with Purdue University’s Forestry and Natural Resources Department to help establish a new Prescribed Fire Extension Specialist position, strengthening long-term capacity for fire-based land management. In addition, we work to ensure that lands protected by the [Buffalo Trace Land Trust] fully benefit from the ecological advantages that prescribed fire provides.

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