2023 - Today

hansford county

Award-Winning Stewardship at the top of Texas

In 2025, a landmark project in the Texas Panhandle earned national recognition: winning Hands-on Habitat Project of the Year across every PF/QF chapter in the country. Led by the Palo Duro PF Chapter and Statewide Prescribed Fire Coordinator William Burkhead, this effort was made possible by the dedicated work of numerous volunteers, staff members, and local partners.

The recognition earned in 2025 was built on years of groundwork. In November 2023, the team partnered with the Palo Duro Water District (PDWD) to design and execute a multi-year prescribed fire management plan. Built to address both public safety and wildlife management, this ongoing collaboration balances proactive wildfire mitigation with large-scale habitat restoration.

As a signature project for the Texas team, this actively managed public land supports a rich diversity of wildlife—including multiple quail species and ring-necked pheasants. The site has also served as the foundation for major hands-on habitat events and community outreach programs in both 2025 and 2026.

Impact & Accomplishments to Date

• 3,600 / 9,000 Total Acres Treated: Executed prescribed burns across 10 distinct management units.

• Wildfire Risk Reduction: Significantly reduced hazardous fuel loads, protecting surrounding communities, infrastructure, and agricultural lands from catastrophic wildfires.

• Habitat Restoration: Reinvigorated native plant regeneration, improved soil health, and created vibrant, diverse structural cover.

Broad Wildlife Benefits

By clearing dense brush and rejuvenating native grasslands, these managed burns have enhanced critical habitat across multiple species groups:

• Upland & Game Birds: Northern bobwhite quail, scaled quail, ring-necked pheasant, mourning dove, and wild turkey.

• Big Game: Mule deer, white-tailed deer, and pronghorn.

• Nongame Wildlife: Native songbirds, reptiles, and small mammals.

Prescribed fire remains one of the most cost-effective, efficient tools for reducing wildfire threat while maximizing habitat quality. To learn more about developing a custom burn plan or implementing prescribed fire on your property or district, contact our team today.