Recently, the Illinois House of Representatives gave unanimous approval to House Resolution 92, which declares April of 2023 as Prescribed Burning Awareness Month in Illinois. State Representative Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore), who carried the resolution, noted the benefits of prescribed burning programs when presenting before the House.
“Prescribed burning programs throughout our state play a valuable role in preserving our natural habitats. This traditional method of land management not only provides ecological support, but also ensures long-term economic benefits,” said Keicher. “I want to thank the Nature Conservancy for their advocacy, as well as their work at sites like the Nachusa Grasslands, which is a perfect example of the benefits of prescribed burning.”
In 2007, The Illinois General Assembly passed the Illinois Prescribed Burning Act, which defined prescribed burning and its appropriate application to accomplish the intended land management objectives. Since then, Illinois has also been seeking to raise awareness about the benefits of prescribed burning through resolutions like Keicher’s HR 92.
“The Nature Conservancy in Illinois applauds the Illinois House of Representatives for adopting HR 92, a bipartisan resolution recognizing April 2023 as Prescribed Burning Awareness Month in Illinois,” said Ashley Maybanks, Director of Policy and Government Relations for The Nature Conservancy in Illinois. “Prescribed fire has been used for millennia by Indigenous Peoples whose practice of traditional burns is deeply embedded in their history and culture. These deliberate, controlled burns restore the health of Illinois prairies and woodlands, control invasive species like honeysuckle and buckthorn, and promote growth of fire-dependent species like our native oak trees.”
To read the complete text of HR 92, click here.
Rep. Keicher serves the 70th District, which includes portions of DeKalb, Kane, and McHenry Counties.