As winter comes to an end and early signs of spring begin, teams across the University of Michigan are preparing for a familiar practice: prescribed burns in select natural areas across campus.
From mid-March through early May, controlled burns will take place in prairies, wetlands and stormwater basins.
During the burn season, smoke may be visible near predetermined sites, along with temporary signage or limited access to surrounding areas. These short-term effects play an important role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, helping reduce invasive species and encouraging more vigorous native plant growth in the weeks that follow.
A carefully planned seasonal effort
This collaborative effort brings together expertise in land management and stewardship. Teams within Facilities & Operations, including Custodial & Grounds Services and Environment, Health & Safety, identify sites, assess conditions and priorities, and work with partners such as PlantWise on technical recommendations.
“Prescribed burns support adaptive management based on ecological succession, meaning burn frequency changes as landscapes evolve,” said Alyson Oostdyk, natural area specialist in Custodial & Grounds Services. “An established prairie may need a burn every three to five years, while areas with strong invasive pressure may require annual burns.”
Where burns will occur
This spring’s burns are planned for several campus locations, including:
- NCRC West Basins
- NCRC East Basins and Prairie
- Prairie northwest of Space Research
- 3520 Green Court Basins
- West Ann Arbor Health Center Basins and Prairie
- East Ann Arbor Health Center South Basin
These largely undeveloped areas are designed for ecological function, including stormwater management and prairie restoration.
“We’re looking at each space individually, its history, its condition and what it needs to stay healthy and resilient,” said Rob Doletzky, associate director of Grounds Services.
Why fire works
Prescribed fire mimics a natural process that has shaped prairie ecosystems for thousands of years and provides benefits including:
- Controlling invasive and woody species.
- Encouraging native growth of native grasses and wildflowers.
- Clearing excess plant material to improve soil and sunlight conditions.
Flames are typically low, often less than 1 foot, and move quickly across the landscape. The resulting light charring helps warm the soil and encourages new plant growth.
“Burns help reset the landscape,” Doletzky said. “They remove invasive growth and allow native species to come back stronger.”
Safety and coordination
Prescribed burns are carefully managed under established safety guidelines.
Each burn is coordinated with Environment, Health & Safety; the Division of Public Safety and Security; and local fire departments. The university fire marshal is notified, and burn plans are shared in advance.
“Prescribed burns are a safe, science-based way to care for our landscapes,” said Andrew Box, university fire marshal in Environment, Health & Safety. “Each site follows a detailed burn prescription outlining acceptable weather conditions, including temperature, humidity and wind speed.”
Burns proceed only when those conditions are met. Notifications are sent in advance, and burns are often scheduled on weekends to minimize disruption.
A sustainable approach to land management
Prescribed burning supports the university’s sustainability goals by promoting biodiversity and reducing reliance on chemical treatments. It can also reduce reliance on herbicides while improving habitat for pollinators and wildlife.
“The process recycles nutrients back into the soil, encourages native and fire-adapted plants to grow, and helps control invasive species while supporting overall biodiversity and habitat health,” Box said.
The practice supports long-term stewardship by maintaining natural areas used for research, education and recreation, reflecting the university’s commitment to responsible land management that balances safety, sustainability and ecological health.
