Grasslands in the Great Plains and Midwest are at constant risk from invasion by woody species. Conversion to deciduous woodlands and forests is already widespread in the Midwest and the southern Great Plains. This discussion focuses on the many ways that fire is essential to grasslands and the people who live there. Panel members will address:

• the role of fire in resisting invasion by woody species;
• managing reconstructed prairies;
• promoting diverse plant communities and healthy wildlife populations; and
• and relevance to people from ranching communities to urban areas.

Panelists include:

• Pauline Drobney - Prairie and Savanna Zone Biologist, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (retired)
• David Londe - post-doctoral wildlife ecology researcher at Oklahoma State University
• Matthew Garrett - Natural Resource Manager, Johnson County Park & Recreation District, Shawnee Mission, Kansas
• Doug Spencer - State Grazing Specialist - Kansas, Natural Resource Conservation Service
• Amy Symstad -  Research Ecologist and Chief of the Climate and Land-use Branch for the USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center