By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
The Rice Lake Plains Partnership – including the Northumberland County Forest, the Nature Conservancy of Canada and Alderville Black Oak Savanna – plan to oversee prescribed burns in Northumberland County later this month to support the conservation of rare local ecosystems.
These monitored and controlled ground fires will encourage the growth of the globally-threatened oak savannah, oak woodland and tallgrass prairie habitats by removing grass, brush and leaves in order to change light levels in the area. This increased sun exposure nourishes the targeted species and warms earth blackened from the burn to support the growth of native species.
The announcement noted that native plants are protected from the burn by their thick bark and/or deep roots.
Acting Natural Heritage Manager Mike Muldoon noted the key role prescribed burns play in conservation management.
“These controlled burns help to remove invasive plants and reduce the risk of wildfires by managing the amount of fuel load created by flammable vegetation in the area,” Muldoon said.
“This management technique restores the health of the ecosystem and improves wildlife habitat.”
The prescribed burn will follow a detailed planning process developed in consultation with fire officials from Alnwick-Haldimand, Hamilton and Cramahe townships to ensure safety and effectiveness. Safety protocols and safe zones are also reviewed with all on-site staff prior to the burn.
Staff continue to use weather modelling and monitor temperatures daily to determine an appropriate timeline to conduct the burns within the next few weeks. These dates will be determined in alignment with ecological and cultural best-management practices, which include the consideration of dryness, wind speeds and fuel on site.
Members of the public who have questions about the prescribed burn are encouraged to contact Northumberland County’s Natural Heritage team at forest@northumberland.ca or the Nature Conservancy of Canada at val.deziel@natureconservancy.ca.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
