Missouri Master Naturalist Chert Glades Chapter recently participated in controlled burning of Joplin Prairie, and portions of Landreth and McClelland Parks. With far too many acres of underutilized lawn to be mowed, Joplin Parks has partnered with experts from the Missouri Prairie Foundation to return these spaces to their historically prairie-like appearance.
Fire has always been part of Missouri’s prairies. Controlled or prescribed burning helps minimize non-native weeds, recycle nutrients, and make room for the inclusion of native wildflowers and grasses critical to the life cycles of pollinators, native birds, and small animals.
These plots will soon be over seeded with native wildflowers and grasses.
This transformation will both save tax dollars and provide an investment in restored wildlife habitat that will encourage exploration and discovery, and enrich our lives.