Natchez Trace Parkway partners with Chickasaw Nation for wildland fire education

Natchez Trace Parkway visitor center displays fire information/education boards and kits.

NPS/M TOY

Natchez Trace Parkway interpretive staff and Mississippi River Zone wildland fire staff, in consultation with the Chickasaw Nation, created two short videos to educate park visitors on the importance of wildland fire for the Chickasaw people and prescribed fire at the Chickasaw Village site. Park ranger, Jane Farmer, led the project and consulted with the Chickasaw Nation to provide feedback on the information.

The first video follows along a Chickasaw oral story describing the origins of fire and how the Chickasaw people used fire in their daily lives. The second video describes the process of prescribed burns and what they look like today at Natchez Trace Parkway.

Natchez Trace Parkway rounded out the educational experience for visitors in the visitor center with an opportunity to dress up as a wildland firefighter, and see and touch line gear and equipment, including a practice fire shelter.

The videos are available to the public for all to enjoy and learn about the history of wildland fire on the Natchez Trace Parkway.