Registration open for prescribed fire workshops

The Missouri Department of Conservation invites landowners to attend free workshops in Mid-Missouri on prescribed fire as a land management tool.
The Missouri Department of Conservation invites landowners to attend free workshops in Mid-Missouri on prescribed fire as a land management tool.

COLUMBIA, Mo. - The Missouri Department of Conservation is offering workshops to land managers and others interested in learning about prescribed fire to free workshops across Mid-Missouri this winter.

These clinics will cover controlled burning as a method of boosting wildlife habitat and reducing less desirable plant species. MDC staff will discuss methods and techniques for implementing controlled burns, safety considerations, and proper weather conditions for conducting a burn. The workshops will also cover how to create a burn plan and time the burn based on your management objectives and landscape.

"These workshops are a great opportunity for landowners to learn how to properly conduct a prescribed burn on their property," MDC Private Land Conservationist Ryan Lueckenhoff said. "Prescribed fire is a great tool for creating early successional habitat, maintaining plant diversity and stimulating new growth. In these workshops we'll talk about the use of burn plans, conditions that affect fire behavior, how to use burn equipment, and much more."

Each workshop will consist of a classroom session, followed by a demonstration burn, weather permitting (Columbia workshop will not include a demonstration burn). Attendees should bring field clothing (cotton or wool; no synthetics), leather boots and gloves to wear for the demonstration burn. The workshops are free to attend, but participants must pre-register.

The Columbia workshop will be 6-9 p.m. March 7 at Central Regional Office and Conservation Research Center, 3500 E. Gans Road in Columbia. Register by March 4 by calling MDC Private Land Conservationist Ryan Lueckenhoff at 573-875-5540, ext. 7.

Other locations include:

Prairie Fork Conservation Area near Williamsburg. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., March 3. Register by Feb. 27. Call MDC Private Land Conservationist Jordon Beshears at 573-564-3715, ext. 110.

Linn Fire Protection District Station 1, 210 W. Main St. in Linn. 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Feb. 9. Register by Feb. 5. Call MDC Private Land Conservationist Seth Barrioz at 573-897-3797, ext. 116.

Lincoln University Carver Farm - 3804 Bald Hill Road in Jefferson City. 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Feb. 17. Register by Feb. 13. Contact MDC Private Land Conservationist Dean Stucker at 573-796-0286 or [email protected] Or contact Lincoln University professor, Dr. Adrian Andrei at 573-681-5451 or [email protected].

Big Spring Fire Department - 758 S. Highway 19 near New Florence. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Feb. 24. Register by Feb. 20. Call MDC Private Land Conservationist Jordon Beshears at 573-564-3715, ext. 110.

Blind Pony Conservation Area near Sweet Springs. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., March 9. Register by March 6. Contact MDC Private Land Conservationist Will Casner at [email protected]

For more information, visit mdc.mo.gov/your-property/fire/prescribed-fire.