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After many freezing temperatures I decided to explore the open trails at the Sandhill Crane Wildlife Refuge. Pine savannas are open, nearly treeless, fire-dependent plant communities dominated by well-developed ground cover and some low-growing shrubs with only scattered trees. The refuge is approx. 5216 acres pine savanna. The original presettlement vegetation on what is now the refuge consisted mostly of pine savannas. Over time, fire suppression allowed pines and shrubs to invade and out-compete the native savanna plants.