Wetland Burn #2 - April 6, 2008

Today is the second wetland burn provided to camp by the DNR L .I.P. Landowner Incentive Program. This burn will hopefully help to open up our wetland so that more grasses and sedges can grow.

Prairie Burn at Base of Turtle Hill - March 14, 2008

On this beautiful late winter day some camp staff help with this meadow burn to help rehabilitate this property.  Our leader is using his drip torch to get the fire going.

Copy of IMG_2312_trim, originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

 

We are putting out the fire as it approaches the road. Although the grass is moist enough and short enough that the fire actually pretty much just goes out on its own.  Some fence posts do burn a little bit.

We start the main part of the burn down wind and work our way into the wind.  That way the fire is a little more manageable.  But it is still pretty smoky.

 Here a small vole(bottom center) is heading for cooler ground.  We see about 3 or 4 making their exit.  They don’t seem to be any worse for wear.

 This fire will help keep the non-native plant in check and help the native plant species that are adapted to fire.

 Thanks to our leader and all the people that helped!!

Wetland Burn - April 19, 2007

Wetland_Burn_April_20_2007 006Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.

Here’s the wetland burn as viewed by the lower flat. We’re hoping that this burn will help reduce the shrubing in that occurs in wetland areas when there isn’t regular fires to keep them in check.

Here’s an Eastern Box Turtle who seems to have weathered the burn.

Special thanks to all the people that made this burn possible:

• Porter Township Fire Department
• Michigan DNR
• Michigan Natural Features Inventory
• Landowner Incentive Program
• Shavehead Lake Neighbors who came to our burn informational meeting and were very supportive of this project.
• Camp’s Natural Resources Task Force
• and our prescribed burn contractor Dave Mindell, owner of Plant Wise

See more wetland burn photos.