Prescribed Burns
When performed by professionals, controlled burns are a safe, effective and ecologically sound way to manage and conserve fire dependent grassland communities such as prairie and savanna. Fire eliminates young woody plants that out compete native herbaceous species. It prevents the buildup of leaf litter and accelerates the cycling of nutrients necessary for growth of the desired plant community.
Many species of prairie and savanna plants require the extreme heat of fire to germinate. Following a burn, the blackened earth absorbs the heat of the spring sunshine further stimulating growth.
There are several areas within the Niagara River Corridor ecosystem that would have historically been prairie or savanna habitat. The rim of the Niagara gorge for example would have likely been one of these communities given the shallow soils and dry conditions.
Over the years, staff and visitors to Niagara Parks’ properties have reported seeing prairie and savanna species growing in a variety of locations along the Niagara River Parkway.
The first burn occurred on Niagara Parks Commission property in 2007 with a very small plot in the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens Arboretum.
Prescribed Burn at Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens - Prairie Plot
Chippewa Battlefield burn results (Spring 2010)
1325 hectares (3274 acres) Future burns are planned for the above locations as well as consideration for some other areas as yet to be determined.
New Growth!
The success of this burn paved the way for larger-scale work at the Chippawa Battlefield, Chinquapin Oak Savanna, and Paradise Grove in 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Following a prescribed burn, the plants grow back very quickly, usually within a two week period as shown in the photo below taken just days after the spring 2009 burns.
Prescribed Burn at Chippewa Battlefield (Spring 2010)
