Clear Lake Nature Preserve Prescribed Burn
March 10, 2025
March 13 Evening Update - Blue Heron Ministries has completed the prescribed burn. Post-burn maintenance and monitoring will continue through the weekend. The Preserve will remain closed to visitors until Monday, March 17.
March 13 Morning Update - The crew has arrived and started preparing the site. The Clear Lake Nature Preserve is now closed to visitors.
March 12 Update - Weather conditions remain favorable for the burn tomorrow, March 13th.
The Clear Lake Nature Preserve with Brennan Woods and Prairie is our largest property and contains our longest trail. Brennan Woods, acquired in 2009, has been carefully managed to restore the 45 acres of open oak woodland through invasive species removal, selective harvest, and prescribed fire. The prairie, acquired in 2015, has undergone native seed plantings, erosion control, and drainage improvements. It is these management efforts that have allowed this property to develop into the functioning ecosystem that we know and love.
Through the last couple years, we have noticed an abundance of dead plants and debris that has overcrowded and stressed our oak trees and native plant regeneration. This has indicated a need for a prescribed burn. A prescribed burn is the most efficient tool we have for introducing disturbance, using low-intensity fire to manage vegetation and improve the health of the land. This stewardship tool is essential in accomplishing our long-term goals which include rejuvenating and increasing native plant life, improving habitat for pollinators, removing invasive species, and improving the functionality of the ecosystem.
Weather conditions this week are looking favorable for the prescribed burn to take place Thursday, March 13th.
The burn will be conducted by Blue Heron Ministries’ trained professionals in accordance with all local and state regulations. Our local fire and police departments will be notified prior to the burn. We will take additional safety measures to minimize neighbor disturbance including 10-20 feet wide non-burn area along the property perimeter and additional burn crew members with fire-suppression equipment. If significant changes in wind or weather conditions occur, we will extinguish the fire.
To learn more about the benefits of prescribed burns, see our Blue Paper. With questions regarding the upcoming burn at the Clear Lake Nature Preserve, please email info@clearlakeconservancy.org or call our office at 260-527-1072.