Fire - a poorly understood ecological tool

Our knowledge of how to use fire as an ecological tool has improved dramatically over the past decade or so.The link below will take you to a page where the Michigan DNR explains why fire is so important to certain ecosystems - like that of the jack pine outwash plains of Northern Michigan. Make sure you click on the "story map" link and scroll all the way through for a thorough explanation of how prescribed fires are conducted and their benefits. The DNR does a first-class job of explaining why fire is so important and how prescribed burns are conducted.

https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79136_79237_80917-55955--,00.html

Read all about it! Here's the latest newsletter from the Kirtland's Warbler Alliance

Get Ready for Jack Pine Planting Day

Jack Pine Planting Day 2021 is scheduled for May 1, Covid permitting. Join the crew to help create new nesting habitat for the Kirtland's Warbler and learn about the bird's connection to the jack pine and how important the jack pine tree is to the entire outwash plains ecosystem.

This year's event will be held at a location on Four Mile Road east of Grayling.

We're making plans as if we are going ahead with the event. We're going to do our best to keep everyone socially distanced and safe. However we cannot control Covid and we will follow the state and county regulations in effect at the time of the event and it may be canceled at the last minute.

It's hard work but incredibly rewarding to know that you have made a difference that will benefit the rarest songbird in North America.

Check back in early April for a registration form and additional instructions.