Controlled Burn at Land Lab Cancelled

Weather conditions are not favorable for a prescribed burn of the Land Lab on Burg Street today, Thursday, April 2. Conditions will be monitored on weekends through mid-April to reschedule the controlled burn, which will ensure a green and growing future for the 50 acres near Granville Intermediate School.
Science and Ecology Teacher Jim Reding explained that conditions like moisture and wind speed must be perfect on the day of the burn, so a date cannot be set in advance.
“We want to do the controlled burn – minus the treed area – before plants start to get green and the birds begin nesting,” Mr. Reding said. A professional crew led by Tim Mason will volunteer their time and expertise to burn in sections, which will encourage prairie grasses and control invasive weeds in the newly-established Land Lab.
The Granville Township Fire Department will be on site with Ohio Department of Natural Resources certified prescribed burn managers. Fire Chief Jeff Hussey has met with ODNR personnel to develop a safety and risk management plan. The Fire Department will provide suppression resources and oversight to ensure that the event poses no risk to surrounding buildings or properties.
On the day of the burn, an email alert will go out to area residents. The district website, Facebook page and Twitter feed will also communicate the plans.
Mr. Reding said the GIS parking lot is a perfect spot to watch the burn process unfold. The event will also be filmed for science classes, he added. Brent Sodergren, fish and wildlife biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, will be there to explain process and answer questions.
“Ideally, we want the smoke to go straight up,” Mr. Reding said. Although there is no danger to the GIS building, the prescribed burn will take place on a weekend day or Spring Break when classes are not in session.
Within two weeks, plants in the blackened area will begin to recover as the prairie grass continues growing and seeds germinate, taking advantage of the newly-enriched and warmed soil. “Fire can be a positive thing in the restoration and maintenance of natural ecosystems,” Mr. Reding said.

Save the Date
On Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, there will be a fundraising dinner and movie to benefit the Land Lab. The meal will be at GHS Commons, followed by a family movie. You can also see project displays and learn more about the prescribed burn. More details are coming soon, but save the date!

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