Control burns a useful management tool for PPRI

Only two burns authorized so far at Gjerloff Prairie

Crew members monitor a control burn conducted in May near the entrance to the Prairie Plains Resource Institute warehouse and education center northwest of Marquette.

To some, controlled fire might seem like an oxymoron. Fire seems always a dangerous, destructive force for most of our life.
Out at the Gjerloff Prairie, managed by the Prairie Plains Resource Institute (PPRI) staff, controlled fires are a vital part of renewing and keeping healthy the various wild plants and animals they are trying to preserve.
“It does add a lot of vigor to the prairie in general, but it does create an even playing field for more diversity of native plants,” said land steward Jeff Gustafson.
Ever since Gustafson joined the PPRI 11 years ago, he has been doing controlled burns. This was a technique he learned from founder and former director of the institute, Bill Whitney and wife Jan.

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