The Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department periodically conducts prescribed burns at the Wintergarden/St. John’s Nature Preserve as a land management tool.
These controlled burns have greatly enhanced the natural habitat for wildlife and assisted with plant management – efficiently removing non-native invasive species that invade the local habitat and shade out native plants. Controlled burns are a natural resource manager’s most cost-effective tool for managing a natural habitat.
Given the correct weather conditions, the nature preserve will conduct a prescribed burn this fall to maintain the prairie grasses and flowers. The burn will be conducted by a Certified Prescribed Fire Manager, along with trained City of Bowling Green staff and Wood County Park District staff. The City of Bowling Green Fire Division will supervise the prescribed burn.
Should you use the preserve during a burn, stay on the trails and maintain distance. Specific trails may be closed for a short period for safety purposes, and most burns require a couple of hours to complete.
If you have questions, call Cinda Stutzman, Natural Resources Specialist, at the Rotary Nature Center in the Wintergarden/St. John’s Nature Preserve, 419-353-0301.
