Volunteer for the Wild!
Join our crew to help with prescribed burn preparation and firebreak clearing as we prepare to conduct restorative, managed fires on several properties this spring. We'll bring the snacks!
We'll be working from 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on the following dates and locations (sign up for directions):
Thursday March 2: Tunnelville Cliffs State Natural Area
Thursday March 9: Sugar Creek Bluff
Tuesday March 14: Boscobel Bluffs State Natural Area
Thursday March 23: Boscobel Bluffs State Natural Area
Tuesday March 28: Boscobel Bluffs State Natural Area
Why: Every spring and Fall we perform prescribed burns to suppress the spread of invasive species, increase biodiversity, encourage growth of native vegetation, recycle nutrients back into the soil, reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and minimize spread of pest insects and disease. To safely execute these burns there is preparation in the month of March to create firebreaks that can contain the burn and prevent unintended spot fires from occurring.
How: We will be using chainsaws, brush saws, and mowers to eliminate all vegetation within a 6 foot wide strip surrounding the area we plan to burn. Volunteers will have several important jobs: (1) assist with the cutting of vegetation if you have appropriate chainsaw training and wish to operate equipment, (2) remove the cut brush and loose debris from the path to keep it clear of any fuel that could ignite, (3) spray the stumps of invasive vegetation we cut with herbicide so that it doesn’t grow back, (4) use leaf blowers to remove small debris and fallen litter so that only bare dirt exists within the firebreak.
Learning opportunity: If you are a landowner and wish to learn how to create effective firebreaks on your property this is an excellent chance to see the process! Come learn how to plan for your own burn, ask us questions about burn strategy, and see how you can use terrain to your advantage.
The photo above shows a firebreak created before a manages burn at Tunnelville Cliffs nature preserve.
Sign up
Email [email protected] with your name, phone number and which date(s) you plan to attend. Updates will be provided with detailed directions, what to bring, and updated forecast.