We Didn’t Start the Fire…Oh Wait: Naturalist Notes

At the end of March, a good chunk of the Land around the nature center went up in flames…don’t worry it was planned. We employed the land management strategy of a controlled burn to help maintain healthy ecosystems.

Prescribed fires, also known as controlled burns, are crucial in reducing the accumulation of dead trees and grasses, which serve as fuel for wildfires. By doing so, they effectively minimize the risk of extreme fires, thus safeguarding nearby communities.

The photo on left is the view from behind the Fox Ridge lookout tower and the photo on the right shows the scenery to the right of that same tower.

The occurrence of these fires plays a vital role in controlling the spread of pests and diseases, as well as eliminating undesired species from an ecosystem, thus enhancing the habitats of endangered and vulnerable species. Additionally, the ash produced from the fires facilitates the recycling of nutrients back into the soil, promoting the growth of plants. Moreover, certain plant species rely on fire for their reproduction and growth.

In the past, the Indigenous population utilized fire as a means to manage the Land. However, after colonization, the settlers discouraged the use of fires because they affected livestock grazing on the grasslands. The introduction of Smokey Bear in the 1940s by the U.S. Forest Service and the Ad Council aimed to promote forest fire prevention through the use of a symbolic character. However, the approach of preventing all fires has resulted in more severe and devastating fires since the accumulation of dead trees and grasses has created significant fuel sources for flames.

A view from the top of the tower.

Over the years, we have come to understand the significance of fire for both humans and the natural world, including plants and animals. During your next visit, make sure to check out the areas that have been burned and watch their growth throughout the spring and summer seasons!

A view of the tower from Streamside trail post-burn.

Journal This!

For this month's journal prompt, venture out into nature and search for the five fundamental shapes present in the environment. Try to identify a spiral, meander, explosion, packing, and branching shape. It is possible to spot these shapes either individually or in combination. Enjoy your exploration!

Submitted by Cathy Wesley, naturalist, April 2023