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Prescribed fire promotes rare plants. A critically imperiled multi-flowered grass pink orchid was discovered following a prescribed burn at the Mississippi Sandhill Crane NWR.

One of the greatest conservation tools we use in habitat management of our refuges is prescribed fire. While fire is applied to reduce the risks of wildfires on our refuges and surrounding homes, it also encourages native plants and wildlife habitat. This rare orchid, the multi-flowered grass pink, is a perfect example. It is considered globally imperiled and critically imperiled in the State of Mississippi. It was discovered on the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge following a carefully planned and precise controlled burn that was used to reduce the hazards of wildfires and improve the surrounding savanna grassland habitat. Like many plants of the savannas, this rare plant is fire dependent. It requires fire to stimulate flowering while reducing the brush to allow more light for the plant to grow. The flowered grass pink does not survive under the shade of bushes and other woody vegetation. Many plants benefit from the use of prescribed burning on our refuges.

This is why we burn on refuges. Prescribed fire not only reduces the threat of wildfire, but also helps to improve the habitat for plants and animals to live.