Oak woodlands were prevalent across the BCR prior to settlement, but most have been converted to pasture or are degraded and overstocked as a result of widespread fire suppression. There are still good opportunities for their restoration, especially on public lands where management can occur over larger acreages than on private lands where fewer acres are under the auspices of one landowner. CHJV partner agencies and organizations recognize the ecological benefits to birds and other wildlife that woodland restoration provides (Dey DC and Reidy FEM), and concerted efforts are being made to bring more and more acres under management. However, anti-management sentiments of some environmental groups often play a role in slowing or thwarting restoration efforts, especially on National Forest lands, so much more work is needed to make the public aware of the ecological benefits of woodlands restoration. One such effort in Illinois, titled “Let the Sun Shine In” is a good example of this kind of outreach in action. (see Let the Sunshine In and https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/shawnee/home/?cid=fseprd532484)
Examples of woodland restoration initiatives in the Central Hardwoods Region include:
- https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/arkansas/explore/fire-restoration-in-arkansas.xml
- https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/ar/home/?cid=stelprdb1245587
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/shawnee/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD573474
- https://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Oak-grasslands-brochure.pdf
