DNR will conduct prescribed burns in southern Wisconsin

News Release Published: November 1, 2012 by the South Central Region

Contact(s): Robert Manwell DNR communications 608-275-3317

FITCHBURG – The Department of Natural Resources will be conducting burns on public lands this fall in southernWisconsin.

Controlled or prescribed burning is an ecological and economical method of limiting exotic and unwanted brush invasions that crowd out native vegetation and also:

• Stimulates prairie grass growth and improves habitat for upland game and waterfowl.

• Creates pockets of open water for waterfowl amidst cattails proliferating in low areas.

• Improves cover type for upland nesting birds, such as pheasants, and spurs native vegetative growth for songbirds.

• Helps preserve grasslands and native flora, plant species that were sustained by natural fires prior to intensive European settlement.

DNR biologists will conduct burns until the fall burning schedule is completed or weather no longer permits successful burning.

Burns not completed this fall may be done next spring. State Fisheries Areas (FA) and State Natural Areas (SNA) scheduled for prescribed burns in southern Wisconsin this fall are located in:

Columbia County – Rocky Run FA.

Dane County – Empire Prairie SNA (2 units), Olson Oak Woods SNA, Empire Prairie SNA, Mazomanie Oak Barrens SNA and Sugar River Wetlands

Green County – Muralt Prairie SNA, York Prairie Hoppe Unit SNA and Browntown SNA

Iowa County – Pecatonica River Woods SNA

Jefferson County – Blue Spring Oak Opening SNA

Lafayette County – Ipswich Prairie SNA

Rock County – Kessler SNA and Rock River SNA

Sauk County –Bakkens Island SNA and East Bluff SNA

Walworth County- Kettle Moraine Oak Opening SNA

Waukesha County – Cliff Messenger Prairies SNA and Genesee Oak Opening SNA

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