Parks and Recreation System Master Plan Update (2016) parks_and_recreation_system_master_plan_update_oct | Page 461

Riparian Management Policy 6: Consider the role of riparian and wetland conservation for
future acquisitions. Certain property acquisitions, such as Community Improvement District
(CID) lands along Mill and Pond Creeks, are ideal for riparian/wetland conservation and
restoration enhancement. Identifying riparian areas within these future acquisitions will enable
wetland conservation. Likewise, riparian/wetland conservation as a priority for acquisitions
could place riparian conservation into the decision making process for acquiring future Parks
properties or for holding conservation easements.
2. Prescribed Fire
Prescribed fire “can be defined as a fire applied in a skillful manner to wildland fuels, in a
predetermined place, under exacting weather conditions, to achieve specific management
objectives” (Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife, 2006). These "specific managements
objectives" include limiting the spread and/or removal of invasive plant species, improving forest
health (i.e., burning ground cover to decrease competition), and simulating natural growth
regimes for native species. In Jefferson County, there are different fire regimes related to the
different physiographic regions (Table 5) that affect the need for prescribed fire. Only two
physiographic regions, the Knob Hills and the Limestone Belt, have a fire regime whereby
prescribed fire would be needed to maintain the climax ecological community. These
physiographic regions include the natural resource parks of Jefferson Memorial Forest, Cherokee
Park, McNeely Lake Park, Iroquois Park, and Waverly Park. It is important to note that the fire
regimes described in the scientific literature do not take into account the impact of invasive plant
species, ecosystem degradation, and need to reintroduce native grasses, shrubs, and trees; all
instances where frequent prescribed burning is needed to literally transform the ecosystem back
to its functioning state. Therefore, prescribed fire may be a necessary management tool for many
natural resource properties.
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