“The Flint Hills native grassland could become a forest.”
Professor Clenton Owensby made that emphatic declaration on opening day of range management class in 1970.
It was preface to the semester course that highlighted proper care of the prairie for continued productive longevity.
The comment was made in sincerest honesty and concern by the renowned range specialist often times a bit tongue-in-cheek jovial.
Those mostly animal science students in the popular college class may have copied it in their spiral notebooks. Yet few gave much thought to the statement which has now truly become harsh most accurate reality.
Smoke filled skylines and accompanying distinct smell from recent annual spring grassland burning is reminder of management’s importance.
Burning native pastures has seemingly always been a highly controversial issue among landowners. Likely the majority feel controlled rangeland burns whether every year or in certain rotation is essential.