Land Stewardship

Forest composition in eastern North America has been shaped by several driving forces, like climate and wildlife. A new study, according to this article by Penn State, supports the idea that controlled burns over thousands of years have played a significant role in cultivating Mid-Atlantic forests.

This article by the National Park Service reviews how fire and controlled burns have been used to cultivate food sources, create travel corridors, and obtain timber and other resources throughout the United States.

In his book, Cronon writes about the differences between Native American and colonial European ideas of land use and ownership, and how these differing ideas impacted the ecology of the region.