Prescribed Burning

Management of the prairie will require prescribed burning. The frequency of burning required and the timing of burns will depend on the rate and extent of woody invasion, the need for control of weeds, the rate of fuel accumulation (grasses), and the type of prairie. See Controlled Burns for the history of burns on the site, proper procedures for burning, and pics of previous burns. New restorations are generally burned every year for five or more years. Mesic prairies require more frequent burning than dry prairies. Prairies severely invaded by trees and shrubs also require frequent burning, and sometimes brush cutting and treatment of the woody invaders with an herbicide as well. 

Fire is an important part of the natural ecology of a native prairie. It changes dead plant material into ash which acts as a natural fertilizer, rich in potassium and phosphorous. Fire stimulates the growth of prairie species and inhibits the growth of woody plants and many non-native species. A spring fire blackens the soil and causes it to warm up faster. This gives the prairie a longer growing season. 

Weed Patrol

Along with controlling weeds on the site, it is necessary to "patrol" the site regularly to identify certain species that are very aggressive and can quickly take over the site if not controlled. We have had several aggressive weeds (See Weeds) invade our site including horseweed, giant ragweed, and tall goldenrod. If burning cannot control aggressive species, it is necessary to use a herbicide such as Roundup (See Herbicide) throughout the growing season, especially before they produce seed.

Species Enrichment

The diversity of a restoration in terms of the number of native species present is frequently one of the criteria for measuring the success of the restoration

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