MDC offering three prescribed burn workshops during March in the St. Louis region

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Prescribed fire is a valuable tool that can help landowners achieve their land management goals and benefit native plants and wildlife at the same time.

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is offering three free public workshops during March for landowners interested in learning how to properly utilize prescribed fire for the management of grasslands, prairies, woodlands, glades, and other natural communities on their land.

Participants will learn how prescribed burns can benefit natural habitats, when to burn, how to identify the proper conditions in which to conduct a burn, what to burn, and how to burn safely. The workshops will be taught be by prescribed burn-certified MDC staff. These workshops are a prerequisite for having a burn plan developed by MDC.

Specific information on each of the prescribed burn workshops are as follows:

• Tuesday, March 10, 6-9 p.m., in St. Charles County at the MDC St. Louis Regional on the August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area,2360 Hwy D in St Charles. For more details and to register online, go to https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZWF. A follow-up demonstration burn is tentatively scheduled for March 28*.
• Saturday, March 14, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., in Jefferson County at the MU Extension Center, located in Hillsboro at 301 3rd Street.  For more details and to register online, go to https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZWt. Lunch will be provided after the workshop.
• Saturday, March 28, 8:30 a.m. to mid-afternoon, in Lincoln County at the Cuivre River State Park Visitor Center, 678 MO-147 in Troy.  For more details and to register online, go to https://short.mdc.mo.gov/ZWv. The workshop will include a demonstration burn in the afternoon*, weather conditions permitting, and lunch will be provided.

*Attendees participating in demonstration burns should dress for the weather and have protective eyewear, leather gloves, leather boots, a handkerchief or bandana, and clothing made of natural fibers like cotton or wool. Clothing made from synthetic materials should be avoided due to its high flammability.

Each workshop is free but advanced online registration is required using the links provided above. For more information on the use of prescribed fire, go to https://bit.ly/2BBSQf8.