These guidelines are called prescriptions, much like a prescription a patient receives from a doctor. These fires benefit both the local community and the wildlife population.

One purpose of using prescribed burns to is burn underbrush and excess debris that might catch on fire from lightening storms or careless visitors. In this way wildfires can be avoided in favor of a more controlled situation.

Another reason burns are performed is to keep the wildlife habitats in proper balance. The Sherburne Wildlife Refuge is one of the few Oak Savannah areas in the country.

Man’s progress has allowed great changes in the habitat, in part because settlers from the old country brought plants and seeds with them to the new world. Part of the Refuge system mission is to keep and restore as many of the original ecosystems as possible.

Refuge staff who are trained in fire fighting are responsible in ensuring the safety of residents and property. At the beginning of the season, a plan is created that determines when and where to conduct the burns. Refuges rotate areas to be burned over several years.

Before a burn takes place on a given day, the weather and wind conditions are evaluated. The humidity must also be within the prescribed range. In the Sherburne area, burns take place during spring before the area turns green.

Nearby fire and police departments as well as the Department of Natural Resources staff are notified each morning that a burn is designated to take place. This allows the other agencies to be ready in case their help is needed.

They also have advance warning so they can field the phone calls from concerned citizens that inevitably come in when the huge plumes of smoke rise.

Bright orange warning signs are placed around the areas to warn passersby of the prescribed burn about to take place in the vicinity, but not everybody sees them.

Fire management teams often travel from refuge to refuge during the prime months to assist with the controlled burns. They use drip torches to ignite the fires and allow the wind to move the fire in the proper direction. This is one reason why wind speed and direction must be at the proper levels.

Local residents sometimes question why the burns must be done when it may mean that some of the wildlife may be injured or killed.

While some of the nests on the ground may be destroyed, food and shelter sources are actually improved for the creatures who inhabit those areas. The burns are completed before returning birds build their nests for the new season.

Many of the plants in the area require fire to open the seed pods that allow new plants to grow. Because plants have long taproots, there are able to survive fires and recover quickly.

With the excess underbrush gone, these new plants have much more room to grow and thrive. Fires also provide the means for better nutrients in the soil which helps the plants to grow.

Birds and animals are aware of the danger and are usually able to travel to places of safety. Usually the animals escape the fire by flying or running away, sheltering in their underground homes, or high up in trees.

Prescribed burns may seem ominous to those who have never encountered them before, but they do have an important place in the Sherburne area.

The Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge not only provides homes for wildlife, but it is a wonderful place for families to visit to learn about the environment and enjoy the quiet beauty of nature.

You can call the refuge at 763-389-3323 for further information. Here are directions to get to Blue Hill Trail. Hope to see you there!

http://www.fws.gov/midwest/sherburne/GetTo.htm

Here is an excerpt of an article from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service website:

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is losing a vital part of its visitor services program, as the Old School House has been closed. A health and safety audit was conducted on Nov. 3, 2010 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Found during the audit were a sagging roof, mold, the potential for histoplasmosis and other health-related deficiencies.

Anyone who has visited the Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge for wildlife watching, environmental education, or to take part in a special event, knows about the Old School House. For more than 30 years the Refuge, with support from the Friends of Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, has hosted year-round public events and gatherings at this facility. The Wildlife Festival, as well as Winterfest – are both free, one-day family events that have attracted up 1,800 visitors.

The facility housed educational exhibits about Sherburne Refuge and was home to the Friends of Sherburne, housing administrative support offices and elements of the Friends sales outlet. The Old School House also provided space for biological research, meetings for community organizations and partner agencies.

Over time, the building developed significant health and safety issues. Refuge staff tried to maintain the facility, but a major restoration project would be needed to address health and safety concerns. Such a project would have altered the building beyond a recognizable state, and would not have been fiscally responsible.

Click here to read the entire article.

I found a wonderful PDF that highlights the Old School House history and activities. If you have a Docstoc account, you can download this document here.

On Saturday, the Refuge sponsored their Fall Festival, in conjunction with National Wildlife Refuge Week and the refuge’s 45th anniversary. The day was filled with exhibits and all types of free activities for families.

The sunrise crane watch began bright and early. Live animal exhibits included raptors from the Minnesota Raptor Center and some snakes and turtles.

“Doc Wild” came to visit and talk about his woodland experiences with wolves, coyotes, and other wildlife. Other activities included a scavenger hunt, a bus tour, archery, air rifle shooting, a bonfire, and face painting.

My favorite part of the Fall Festival is to drive on the many refuge service roads that are open to the public only once a year.

On Sunday, Refuge Visitor Service Manager Betsy Beneke, spent the day on the Wildlife Drive for the first and possibly annual “Big Sit.” Seventeen people were in attendance throughout the twelve-hour time period to watch and count the birds in the vicinity.

A total of forty-three species of birds were observed, including:

Canada Goose
Trumpeter Swan
Eastern Meadowlark
Red-winged Blackbird
American Goldfinch
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
American Crow
Black-capped Chickadee
White-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Golden Kinglet
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
Eastern Bluebird
Hermit Thrush
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Orange-crowned Warbler
Palm Warbler
American Robin
Cedar Waxwing
Swamp Sparrow
Vesper Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Lincoln’s Sparrow
White-throated Sparrow
Fox Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
Wood Duck
Mallard
Blue-Winged Teal
Ring-Necked Duck
American Widgeon
Wild Turkey
Ring-Neck Pheasant
Bald Eagle
Northern Harrier
Red-tailed Hawk
Sandhill Crane
Mourning Dove
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Pileated Woodpecker

I’m happy to report that I would be able to recognize 28 of these species without checking in a bird book – that’s a big improvement from when I first became Roving Wildlife Interpreter two years ago!

Very Cool!

Our local Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge is looking for volunteers to help remove European Buckthorne from the refuge. Contact Nancy Haugen at the refuge for more information.

The Podtburg family members met with Nancy Haugen, the refuge’s Visitor Services Manager, and Lee Johnson, President of the Friends of Sherburne NWR group. We enjoyed the opportunity to get to know this wonderful family. Olga was there, along with three of her four children, and three grandchildren. One family was here all the way from Boston, Massachusetts.

Here are some photos–click on the picture to see a larger version.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLVR4ZNCCjk[/youtube]

Here are some pictures:

(Click on each picture for a larger view)

(Click on each picture for a larger view)