BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department natural resource managers are planning a 5.5-acre prescribed fire on March 9 at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve, in the forest north of the boathouse parking area at 3400 North Headley Road.
The prescribed fire will take place depending on weather conditions and moisture levels necessary for the safe and successful completion of the burn. Griffy Lake Nature Preserve will remain open during the prescribed fire, but the Nature Trail and Hiking Trail will be closed during, and for at least one day after, the prescribed fire.
The fire is prescribed to allow more sunlight to reach the forest floor to create better conditions for the regeneration of oak and hickory trees, which are currently being shaded out by other species. According to Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department natural resources manager Steve Cotter, restoration of native oak and the hickory forest is desirable for the increased habitat diversity it brings, especially for insects, birds, understory plants, spring ephemerals, and reptiles.
Bloomington Parks and Recreation has contracted with Habitat Solutions Wildlife and Forest Management to conduct the prescribed fire. Parks and Recreation are partnering with the Bloomington Fire Department, which will provide additional fire suppression support.
According to Cotter, prescribed fire is an effective tool for managing hardwood forest ecosystems. The low-intensity ground fire will remove invasive and other undesirable plant species, recycle nutrients and increase habitat diversity. In addition to the benefits for the ecosystem, prescribed fire is also effective in reducing the risk of large wildland fires.
For updated information, follow the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department on Facebook or call the Parks and Recreation office at 812-349-3700.
