Carleton Arboretum hosts Prescribed Burn Workshop March 31

Private landowners and others interested in using fire as a grassland management tool are invited to attend a Prescribed Burn Workshop on Saturday, March 31 in Northfield. Co-sponsored by Carleton College with assistance from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the cost is $30 per person. The workshop will run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Carleton Cowling Arboretum.

Prescribed burning is the planned and intentional burning of habitat to remove dead plant material and rejuvenate growth of desirable grasses and forbs. Properly implemented and timed, prescribed burning can be one of the most effective and economical ways to improve grassland habitat.

Workshop participants will spend the morning of session in the classroom, learning the importance of prescribed fire for grasslands and wildlife. Experienced instructors will cover the basics of prescribed fire, from planning to putting the fire out completely. In the afternoon, participants will apply some methods in the field and obtain hands-on experience with a prescribed burn, weather permitting.

Class size is limited to 24 students who are 18 years of age or older. Pre-registration is required by March 15. The $30 fee includes materials and coffee breaks, but participants must provide their own lunch. Attendees will be required to sign a waiver of liability to participate in the burn.

Register on the Carleton website by entering “burn workshop” in the search window.