Zane State Has Controlled Prairie Burn

ZANESVILLE, OHIO-Zane State had a controlled burn of their prairie fields this morning. 

The idea behind the burn is to do away with cold weather plants so that warm weather plants can take their place. These controlled burns are done at the start of spring across Ohio. 

“We have a whole of people getting together today, several fire departments and some of my students, and some certified burn masters. They’re going to be helping with a controlled prairie burn. This area you see behind me is going to be burned down, basically to take what’s there and create another improved habitat out of it.”, Assistant Wildlife Conservation professor Al Parker told WHIZ.

The Zanesville Fire Department was on hand in case of unforeseen complications. There were none, however, and the burn went as planned. 

“The idea behind it is: We’ve got a lot of plants growing out here that are not so good for wildlife. There are some that are good, and they’ll be coming back, but we’re trying to eliminate some alien species and some other things like that that are basically taking up space that could be enriched for wildlife.”, Parker continued.

The experience was a wonderful learning experience for Zane State environmental students.