

Ep. 194 - McRee Anderson - The History of Fire Suppression on the Ozark Landscape (And Its Negative Consequences)
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For thousands of years, fire shaped the Ozarks: clearing land, nourishing native plants, and creating the vibrant ecosystems once teeming with quail, wildflowers, and red-headed woodpeckers. But sometime around 1920, everything changed. ..
In this episode, we sit down with McRee Anderson with The Nature Conservancy, to talk about the history of fire in the Ozarks, what the landscape looked like before fire suppression, and how controlled burns are helping to restore the balance.
Our Trusted partners for this episode:
Vortex Optics - Industry leader in scopes, rangefinders, and binoculars
Maverik - Adventure's first stop in the Ozarks
Big Pete's Taxidermy - High-quality work with quick turnaround
Pack Rat Outdoor Center - Everything you need to start your next adventure
00:00 History of fire on the landscape
15:30 What happened in 1920?
30:00 Benefits of adding fire to the landscape
What is The Ozark Podcast?
In the Ozarks, people have always lived in rhythm with the natural world. Hunting, fishing, and living off the land, aren't just things we do, it's who we are. And though our lives are inextricably linked to the land we live on, we've never been more disconnected from it. So join us, as we travel across the region to bring you the voices of the Ozarks to deepen your connection with the land, sharpen your skills in the outdoors, and help you learn what it means to be an Ozarker.
Our hosts are Kyle Veit and Kyle Plunkett - and our producer is Daniel Matthews
Theme music: 'American Millionaire' by JD Clayton
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PLEASE reach out to us with any recommendations or inquiries: theozarkpodcast@gmail.com