Archived News Release: February 23, 2015 - City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation (NAP) will be conducting controlled ecological burns in local natural areas between Feb. 27 and May 29, 2015, on weekdays between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m., weather permitting. On the day of a controlled burn, signs will be posted around the park, and staff will be available on site to answer questions. The fire will be under control at all times.
Where will we burn?
During the spring 2015 season, NAP has permits to burn in the following city-owned parks: Argo Nature Area, Barton Nature Area, Belize Park, Bird Hills Nature Area, Black Pond Woods Nature Area, Bluffs Nature Area, Briarcliff rain garden, Buhr Park, Cedar Bend Nature Area, Dicken Woods Nature Area, Dolph Nature Area, Fuller Park, Furstenberg Nature Area, Gallup Park, Glacier Highlands Park, Hunt Park, Huron Hills Golf Course, Huron Parkway Median, Kuebler Langford Nature Area, Leslie Park Golf Course, Leslie Woods Nature Area, Marshall Nature Area, Mary Beth Doyle Park, Miller Nature Area, Scarlett Mitchell Nature Area, South Pond Nature Area, West Park, White Oak Park, Wurster Park and 3875 E. Huron River Drive.
Why burn?
Our native Ann Arbor ecosystems are fire-dependent. Until settlers began suppressing fires in the early 1700s, fire enriched the soil and removed dead thatch, allowing diverse native plant and animal communities to thrive. Continued fire suppression has allowed fire-intolerant, non-native plant species to out compete the native, fire-adapted plants. By reintroducing fire in our parks, we are reinstating an essential ecosystem process.
What is involved in conducting burns?
NAP staff evaluates each site and develops a burn plan that provides information on the specific ecological objectives of the burn, preferred weather conditions to minimize smoke, ignition pattern, location of burn breaks to safely contain the fire, equipment, contingency plans and emergency phone numbers. City and township fire marshals review the plans before issuing the necessary permits. NAP then waits until weather conditions are within the range specified in the burn plan before proceeding.
How can you participate?
We rely on volunteers to be part of our burn crew. To be part of our volunteer burn crew, you must attend our annual controlled burn crew training. This year's training will be held at Matthaei Botanical Gardens in the auditorium at 1800 N. Dixboro Road on Thursday, Feb. 26 from noon–5 p.m. Space is limited, so please register by contacting NAP at 734.794.6627 or [email protected].
How can you get more information?
Because burns are weather-dependent, NAP is unable to schedule them in advance for specific days. If you would like to be called on the day of a burn near you, please call us and leave us your name, daytime phone number and street address. We also post day-of-burn information at http://www.a2gov.org, http://www.twitter.com/a2NAP and http://www.facebook.com/ann.arbor.NAP.
A public meeting and Q & A on controlled burns will be held Wednesday, Feb. 25, 7–8:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park meeting room, 2150 Jackson Ave. If you are unable to attend and would like to learn more, contact NAP at 734.794.6627, email [email protected] or visit www.a2gov.org/NAPburn.
Persons with disabilities are encouraged to participate in public meetings. Accommodations, including sign language interpreters, may be arranged by contacting the city clerk's office at 734.794.6140; via email to: [email protected]; or by written request addressed and mailed or delivered to: City Clerk's Office, 301 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, MI 48104. Requests need to be received at least two business days in advance of the meeting.
# # # # #
