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Today's Family Magazine

Experience a controlled burn at Frohring Meadows

Mar 13, 2017 02:10PM ● By Today's Family
Maybe you’ve seen pictures of a controlled burn swallowing a field. But to get a true sense of its impact, you should really come out and feel the heat!
 
Visit www.geaugaparkdistrict.org under Find a Program/Event, or call 440-286-9516, to get invited out to their “prescribed fire” this year at Frohring Meadows!
 
This special program is scheduled for Wednesday, April 12, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., but may occur any time from late March through mid-April when weather conditions are best. Registered participants will be called to advise them of the actual date.
 
Frohring Meadows is located at 16780 Savage Road in Bainbridge Township. Please call 440-286-9516 with questions.
          
In addition to watching the fire set and burned out, call-listers will start their visit learning about fire ecology and the values of using this management tool from the staff of Geauga Park District’s Natural Resource Management staff.
 
This special opportunity is entirely weather dependent, and participants will not be called if weather conditions do not present themselves. Any activities off-trail will not be wheelchair/stroller accessible.
 
Controlled burning is a well-established best management practice used to maintain meadow habitat. At Frohring Meadows, it also helps reduce brush material, propagates seeds, and creates an opportunity for supplemental seeding of additional grasses and forbs.
 
All controlled burns are conducted by an Ohio-certified prescribed fire manager and done according to a prepared burns plan to ensure proper smoke dispersal. Signs will be posted for visitors as soon as conditions are conducive to burn; only affected trails will be closed during the time of the burn only. Neighbors, the local fire department and local enforcement will be notified directly.
 
If conditions are right this spring, Geauga Park District also hopes to utilize prescribed fire to manage property at Walter C. Best Wildlife Preserve in Munson Township, Burton Wetlands Nature Preserve in Burton Township, Orchard Hills Park in Chester Township and Big Creek Park in Chardon Township, but those burns are unrelated to the public call list.
 
Visit Geauga Park District online at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.