Today was a fine day for a burn. Dry, slight breeze, and warm. Each year, the Aldo Leopold Nature Center lights last year's prairie growth on fire to clear ground for seeds to sprout. Prescribed fires are essential in maintaining plant diversity in restored prairies because it takes care of all of the unwanted plants that are not adapted to fire. Without fire, trees would quickly spread, grow, and begin crowding out sunlight needed by prairie plants. Fire also returns nutrients from dead plants back to the soil, setting up this year's seeds for healthy growing. While wildlife is temporarily displaced, this prairie should begin sending up new shoots in the next few weeks and soon will offer a diverse (over fifty plants species) food menu and shelter for many insects and animals. Come and see the Nature Center prairie soon.
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