Prescribed Fire 🔥 for Forest Health and Biodiversity
Prescribed Fire in the Catskills: Restoring a Lost Tool
In this episode, Brett sits down once again with Ryan Trapani, Director of Forest Services at the Catskill Forest Association, to explore the surprising ecological value of prescribed fire in the Northeast.
Recorded fireside at the Kaatscast studio, this conversation digs into the science, history, and cultural memory of fire in the Catskills, and why small, carefully managed burns may be key to healthier forests, richer wildlife habitat, and a more resilient landscape.
Key Topics
Why fire disappeared from Northeastern land management — and why that’s a problem
How Indigenous communities shaped ecosystems with fire
What “pyrogenic species” like oak and chestnut need to thrive
The Catskill Forest Association’s new prescribed burn program
How controlled burns can improve wildlife habitat and biodiversity
The challenges of permits, insurance, and public perception
What early‑successional habitat is — and why we’re losing it
Lessons from the Albany Pine Bush and Shawangunk Ridge
About the CFA Prescribed Burn Program
Ryan outlines CFA’s cautious, incremental approach to reintroducing fire on private lands — starting with low‑complexity field burns, building community familiarity, and navigating the regulatory and insurance landscape. The goal: restore a long‑missing tool to the Catskills’ silvicultural toolbox.
