PRESCRIBED BURN AT DRAYTON PLAINS NATURE CENTER
Waterford Parks and Recreation Department will be conducting a prescribed burn in the Woodland Prairie area of the Drayton Plains Nature Center within the next week (weather permitting). This burn is conducted by a licensed contractor who specializes in prescribed burns. Visit the Drayton Plains Nature Center’s Facebook Page for updates https://www.facebook.com/DPnaturec/
You may be wondering why we do prescribed burns? A controlled burn is implemented by trained and experience personnel to assist with the restoration of wildlife habitat. Native, fire adapted plants that are beneficial to wildlife such as oak trees, prairie grasses and wildflowers benefit from these management activities, while the burns help to decrease the abundance of nonnative species such as autumn olive. Healthy habitat makes for healthy wildlife populations and these burns lead to additional foraging opportunities for both game and nongame species.
Safety is always the #1 priority when implementing these burns. Visitors on burn day may encounter temporary closures of trails that lead into burn locations, as well as a total closure of the actual burn unit until completion. Where appropriate, signage will be set up along area roadways.
If you have additional questions on prescribed burns, contact Alison Swanson, Parks and Recreation Director at aswanson@waterfordmi.gov