⚠🔥 Prescribed Burn at Griffy Lake Nature Preserve scheduled for Nov 9th near the West North Shore Loop Trail (northside of Griffy Lake near dam).
The prescribed burn will take place depending on weather conditions and moisture levels necessary for safe and successful completion of the burn. Griffy Lake Nature Preserve will remain open during the prescribed burn, but the West North Shore Loop Trail will be CLOSED during, and for at least one day after, the prescribed burn.
The burn is prescribed to allow more sunlight to reach the forest floor to create better conditions for regeneration of oak and hickory trees, which are currently being outcompeted by other species. According to Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department natural resources manager Steve Cotter, restoration of native oak and hickory forest is desirable because these hardwood species are host plants for a variety of insects that are important to local food chains and they are more resilient to climate impacts such as increased temperatures and drought conditions. Therefore, it is important to promote species that are well adapted to these new conditions and support the greatest number of wildlife.
Bloomington Parks and Recreation has contracted with Habitat Solutions Wildlife and Forest Management to conduct the burn. Parks and Recreation is partnering with the Bloomington Fire Department, who will provide additional fire suppression support during the burn.