Prescribed burn workshop offered at Four Rivers

KANSAS CITY Mo -- The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will offer a free workshop on using prescribed burns to improve wildlife habitat and control unwanted vegetation from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Four Rivers Conservation Area headquarters.

Landowners interested in using prescribed burns as a grassland management tool will learn how to prepare and use burn plans. Topics will also include weather factors for safe burns, fire line safety, seasonal burn timing and vegetation response, controlled burn equipment and the history of fire on Missouri’s landscape.

After the classroom portion ends at 1 p.m., if weather permits, there will be an optional demonstration burn conducted at Four Rivers.

Historically, fire shaped the prairie-dominated western Missouri landscape and dictated the plants and animals that lived here. With suppression and lack of use of fire in modern times, many native plant and animal populations have declined, especially grassland birds. Workshop participants will learn how management of prairies and CRP fields with fire has profound impacts on wildlife and plant communities.

The workshop will be taught by MDC land managers with Prescribed Burn Certification and experience. Lunch will be served.

The Four Rivers headquarters is at 4347 S. 1625 Road, which is southeast of Rich Hill and northeast of Nevada. To reach the area, exit U.S. 71 at Route TT and then take Route TT east to 1600 Road. Then take 1600 Road south to Ball Road, and then east to 1625 Road, then south to headquarters.

For information or to register for the workshop, call Private Land Conservationist Scott Sudkamp at 417-667-8137, ext. 3, or 660-679-6124, ext. 3.