Rick Anderson burns patches of his Florida Flatwoods each year. He is part of a long tradition of humans burning in Florida from Native Americans to pioneers, and now, land managers.
The woodsburners of the world know the skillful use of fire brings renewal and diversity. They burn when the wind is quiet and the ground is wet because generations of practice has taught them to pay attention to the land.
Fire consumes palmettos, oaks, and wiregrass. But only on the top. Beneath the black biochar, the plants survive. Waiting for the greens to return is brief. This is Florida.
Watch our one minute video with amazing three-month timelapse showing the dance of resilience between Saw Palmetto, time, and fire. Woodsburners, like Rick, keep the accumulation of dead debris swept by flame reducing severe wildfires that threaten life and property.