Spring prescribed burns on the Nature Center’s property are planned beginning Monday, April 25 and continuing April 26 and 27, as well as May 5, 10, and 11.
Indian Creek Nature Center conducts regular (annual or bi-annual) prescribed burns of its prairie, oak hickory savanna, and woodlands as part of its land management strategy. The Nature Center only conducts burns when local conditions are conductive to a safe burn, when the weather is appropriate, and there is no local burn ban in place. We follow a burn management plan and notify the Bertram Fire Department of all burn dates. Due to the fires, some trails will be closed on the burn dates listed above. Please be cautious and avoid closed trails for your safety.
Prescribed burns are beneficial to the prairies and woodlands. Burning rejuvenates open areas and stimulates new plant growth, creating lush and healthy grasslands and improving wildlife habitat. Burning enhances the diversity of native plant communities that make the prairie vibrant, while limiting the growth of brush and trees.
Want to help with the burn? Sign up to volunteer.
If you have not participated in a controlled burn before, we will train you. Please arrive at 9 AM the day you volunteer to attend burn school.
Please note: Conducting these prescribed fires is very weather dependent! Should we need to cancel a shift due to damp or windy conditions, volunteers will be notified right away via email. Be sure to check your email the morning of your shift just in case. Wear 100% natural fiber clothing, long sleeves/pants, hat and sturdy closed toe shoes!