DPS to conduct controlled burn on North Campus

The Plant Operations grounds services department, with the support of the University Planner's Office and Occupational Safety & Environmental Health (OSEH), plans to conduct two controlled burns of areas of North Campus in April.

Targeted areas include the native and wildflower garden on the east side of the Bentley Library and the oak-hickory wood lot west of the Space Research Building.

Plant Wise, a contractor that specializes in ecological burns and native plant restoration, will conduct the burns. It is recommended for ecological reasons to conduct these burns when weather conditions are appropriate.

The Department of Public Safety (DPS) and OSEH's Fire Safety Services as well as the Ann Arbor Fire Department are involved in planning and will issue appropriate permits. The burns will take place during conditions that will minimize the direct effect and persistence of smoke, DPS officials say.

Fire is an important land management tool and a critical regenerative process for several local ecosystems. Many areas treated with fire have more blooming wildflowers in the following years. In addition, fire helps control many of the exotic invasive plants that reduce the native biodiversity in natural areas.

During the burn, most animals find cover by retreating to burrows, flying away or moving to surrounding areas. Only a small portion of the Bentley Library campus and a fraction of the Space Research wood lot will be treated.

To learn about this process statewide, go to the Michigan Prescribed Fire Council's Web site, www.firecouncil.org.

For more information about the controlled burns scheduled on North Campus, contact University Forester Marvin Pettway at marvinp@umich.edu.

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