Prescribed Burning at the UEC

So one of the many little tasks I helped with when I volunteered last Tuesday at the UEC was watering a new plot of trees which are, as of now, mere sprouts.  All these trees are native species to Wisconsin, as is common to most of what the UEC plants.  To facilitate the growth of all these little plants and trees, Joel (the UEC overseer for the morning), described the usefulness of prescribed burnings.  Basically, there are a ton of invasive/non-native species surrounding this plot of greenery trying to thrive.  And those other species are not helping these native species grow.  So in efforts to eradicate some of the unwanted species, and create more fertile soil land for future planting, these controlled burnings are called for. 


Joel explained that prescribed burnings have been used by farmers and landowners for centuries.  In fact, Native Americans used this practice to convert a lot of the original forested areas of our continent to prairies for their settlements and herds.  They would set large areas of land on fire, reducing it to soil, ready to planted upon.  In the same way, the UEC is hoping to burn away sections of their wooded areas to not only open up more soil for planting, but also to burn away much of the weeds and the weeds' root systems.  Obviously "controlled" is the operative term in "controlled burns."  They have the potential to be quite dangerous if they are not handled with care.  Not only do the burners need their burning license (which requires some schooling), but they must apply for permits and schedule it in advance so the fire dept. can be present.  Above all else, the weather conditions of that day must be perfect for the burn to commence.  Not too hot, not too windy, not too humid. 


It was quite interesting to me to hear Joel talk about how they are taking this ancient agricultural practice and applying it to a need the UEC has!


---Posted by Eric Anderson---