“Sometimes a new beginning has to happen in order for new growth and beauty to appear.” – Janine Schenborn

prairie-burn
Above: Hillside Oak Savanna Burn
(center part of the Conservancy)
Photo Courtesy of Dennis Schenborn

Last week, five different prairies at Pope Farm Conservancy were burned. There is a very short window to burn this year because of the late spring, and the thatch must dry in order to burn it. We burn the prairies for two reasons. First, prairie plants thrive better after burning (burning promotes new growth). The second reason we burn is to help control weeds. Burning tends to set back some unwanted woody tree and shrub species, and burning is less expensive than if the weeding is done by hand.

We will be burning the ravine prairie on the north part of the conservancy in the next few days. If you are driving by and see smoke coming from the conservancy stop on by……it is quite a sight. Because wind and weather conditions make this a last minute decision, we will be posting information about the burns on our Facebook page as that decision is made. 

View more photos from the burn on April 6th on our Facebook Page.