Parks and Recreation System Master Plan Update (2016) parks_and_recreation_system_master_plan_update_oct | Page 464

Figure 4. BEHAVE fuel model for fire prediction.
Prescribed Fire Management Practice 5: Mandatory training for all Burn Bosses and Burn
Crews. Based on a burn completed at the Tyler-Schooling Property in March 2007, it became
obvious that further training was necessary to safely and successfully complete prescribed burns
on Metro Parks and Recreation properties. All Burn Bosses and Burn Crew Leaders are required
to have completed applicable training as approved by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group
(http://www.nwcg.gov/). In addition, all crew members are required to have completed at least a
one-day introductory training on prescribed burning. Finally, all personnel participating in
prescribed burns are required to complete a fitness pack test.
3. Invasive Species Control
Invasive species are major consideration for all natural areas, as the introduction of
invasive species to the U.S. has caused annual losses of forest products upwards of $2 billion
(Pimentel et al, 2000). At least 34 invasive species have been identified as present or potential
hazards to Parks (The Olmstead Parks Conservancy, 2006). For example, Garlic Mustard, has
been in the U.S. since 1868 (Chornesky, 2005) and is adept at displacing native plants, impeding
tree recruitment, and reducing the fitness of native butterflies (Nuzzo, 2000).
Work has been done in the past to identify invasive species in Metro Parks and
Recreation. For example, the Natural Areas Division and Olmstead Parks Conservancy have
identified and mapped invasive species present in Olmstead Parks. Table 6 lists invasive plant
species known to occur in Jefferson County or are likely to become invasive. Summarized
management options from the National Park Service Plant Conservation Alliance’s Alien Plant
Working Group are included (Table 6) (PCA, 2006). Additional invasive species not listed in
the previous source have been added to this table with treatment prescriptions from “A
Management Guide for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests,” (Miller, 2013) (USDA, SRS-131).
These management options range from mechanical and hand removal to herbicide use (see note
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