Fire is as ecologically important to the East Texas landscape as rain is to a rain forest.
April 14, 2026 - Fire has a reputation problem. Most of us see flames only as something to fear, destructive, dangerous and unpredictable. But in East Texas, fire is also one of nature’s most important tools for renewal, and the upcoming East Texas Fire and Nature Festival offers a rare opportunity to see that story unfold firsthand.
The festival will take place Saturday, April 18, from 10am to 3pm at the Tyler Nature Center, 11942 FM 848, and it’s free and family friendly. Hosted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and a long list of conservation partners, the event is designed to help the public better understand how fire works with nature, not against it, particularly in our Pineywoods and Post Oak Savanna ecosystems.
Long before fire suppression became standard practice, regular low intensity fires shaped East Texas landscapes. These natural burns kept forests open, encouraged wildflowers, reduced dangerous fuel buildup, and created ideal habitat for wildlife. Today, prescribed fire is carefully planned, science based, professionally managed, and it remains one of the most effective land management tools we have.
Weather permitting, the festival will feature live prescribed fire demonstrations, allowing visitors to watch trained professionals conduct controlled burns and explain exactly what’s happening and why it matters. Few people ever get the opportunity to witness a prescribed burn up close, making this one of the most memorable and educational aspects of the day.
But fire is only part of the story. Throughout the event, visitors can join guided nature walks, including birding and plant identification hikes, that highlight how fire influences plant diversity and wildlife habitat. Short presentations inside the Nature Center will focus on topics such as using fire for small land restoration and navigating wildlife tax valuation, especially valuable for landowners.
Gardeners and homeowners will find plenty to enjoy as well. Representatives from organizations like the Smith County Master Gardeners from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will be on hand to discuss firewise landscaping, landscape plants for East Texas, and flowers for pollinators.
Families with children will discover no shortage of hands-on fun. From exploring fire engines and learning about fire tools to wildlife track stations, seed ball making, pollinator ping pong toss, archery, fly fishing and dress up photo booths, the festival blends serious science with playful learning. Young visitors can see animal skins and skulls, meet conservation professionals and get a close up look at the tools used to manage land and wildlife safely.
Last year’s inaugural festival drew strong interest, and this year’s expanded event reflects growing recognition that fire is an essential tool, not the enemy. As our region continues to grow and development pushes into previously wild areas, understanding how fire fits into the natural cycle has never been more important to comprehend.
Greg Grant, Ph.D., is the county horticulturist and Smith County Master Gardener coordinator for the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Tyler. He is the author of Texas Fruit and Vegetable Gardening, Texas Home Landscaping, Heirloom Gardening in the South, and The Rose Rustlers. You can read his “Greg’s Ramblings” blog at arborgate.com, read his “In Greg’s Garden” in each issue of Texas Gardener magazine (texasgardener.com), or follow him on Facebook at “Greg Grant Gardens” or “Pines, Pawpaws, and Pocket Prairies.” More science-based lawn and gardening information from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service can be found at aggieturf.tamu.edu and aggie horticulture.tamu.edu.
