ST. LOUIS – The Missouri Department of Conservation and area partners conducted prescribed burns in Bellerive Park and Dickman Park.

“(The) prairies need to be exposed to regular fire in order to setback woody vegetation and combat invasive species,” said Erin Shank, Urban Wildlife biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Prescribed fires are conducted in a controlled and strategic manner to achieve specific conservation goals.

These include consuming leaf litter and proactively removing excess fuels, stimulating the growth of desirable plant species and setting back invasive ones. 

Controlled burning restores nutrients to the soil, which not only benefits native plants but also wildlife.

“The habitat impact of a prescribed fire on a prairie will benefit the diversity of animals. From little measly insects to migratory birds that rely on this for food, shelter (and) even nesting space,” Shank said.

The weather is also taken into consideration for burning. 

Forecasted conditions were within prescription this morning, which allowed the Forestry Division to conduct the burns safely and achieve conservation goals.