The Bowing 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 assist with plant management – efficiently removing non-native invasive species that invade our local habitat and shade out native plants. Controlled burns are considered 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 spring 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 burn will be supervised by the Bowling Green Fire Division.

Should you be using the preserve during the time of a burn, please stay on the trails and maintain distance. Certain trails may be closed for a short period of time for safety purposes. Most burns require a couple of hours to complete.

For more information, call Cinda Stutzman, Natural Resources Specialist, at the Rotary Nature Center in the Wintergarden/St. John’s Nature Preserve, 419-353-0301.