NCEC will co-host the first Prescribed Burn Training for the Newaygo County Region on Saturday, March 9th, 2024. Stuart Goldman, Conservation Coordinator of the Michigan Nature Association for Lower Western Michigan, will lead the program from 10am – 3pm at Brooks Township Hall, 490 Quarterline St, Newaygo, 49337.
A second training will be held outdoors in early spring at Big Bluestem Farm, a native plant nursery near Bitely, MI. A controlled burn demonstration is planned for this next phase of training.
Stuart Goldman manages the habitats and volunteers for the MNA’s Karner Blue Nature Sanctuary, Newaygo Prairie Sanctuary, and Brooks Township’s Coolbough Natural Areas, all in Newaygo County.
“This training is for private landowners who need controlled fire for habitats and wildfire prevention, and for native habitat stewards and volunteers,” stated Stuart. “It will cover why controlled burns are needed to improve the health of native ecosystems and their species. We will stress the safety aspects of controlled burns, as well as when and how they should be used.”
“The Newaygo Region really needs a team of knowledgeable prescribed burn volunteers,” explained Katie Clark of NCEC. “This will be a great start in helping to inform landowners and community members of the importance of controlled fire on public and private lands and in creating a volunteer-prescribed burn team for our area.”
The Newaygo County Region is home to native habitats such as oak savannahs and the unique dry sand prairies. These are “fire-dependent ecosystems,” which means, according to the Michigan Prescribed Fire Council, that without the presence of fire, they can disappear. Some fire-dependent ecosystems need to be burned every few years, while others need a burn only every decade.
“We are eager to co-host this important first Prescribed Burn program,” states Sally Wagoner, Chair of the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition. “We invite anyone who has a need for prescribed burns on their property, who would like to volunteer for future controlled fires, or who is just interested in our local native plants and habitats to join us.”
Registration is needed and can be accessed Registration Prescribed Burn Training March 9. If the Registration says “Sold Out”, please email NCEC as we can put you on a waitlist: buzz@nc-ec.org
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