How prescribed burns can help ecosystems thrive
The leafy trees that tower over Toronto’s High Park are home to one of the last remaining black oak ecosystems in Ontario. These rare trees are carefully preserved each year through the traditional practice of prescribed burns. Fire specialists set fires near the roots of the trees in a controlled perimeter, burning off dry grass, leaves, and twigs.
The Indigenous Land Stewardship Circle, in collaboration with the City of Toronto, has been conducting these prescribed burns for the past two decades. Known as Biinaakzigewok Anishnaabeg, this practice helps maintain the health of the ecosystem and promotes the growth of fire-resistant species like black oak.
While colonial rules in Canada once banned traditional fire practices, the use of prescribed burns is now recognized for its benefits in ecosystem health and wildfire prevention. Renny Grilz, a resource management officer for the Meewasin Valley Authority in Saskatoon, emphasizes the importance of managing landscapes to ensure their conservation.
Prescribed burns are not only beneficial in natural areas like High Park but are also being used in urban areas. Cities like Edmonton and Winnipeg have conducted prescribed burns to reduce wildfire risk and promote public safety. The City of Edmonton recently conducted its first prescribed burn within city limits, showcasing the effectiveness of this practice in urban settings.
In Southern Ontario, organizations like the Bruce Trail Conservancy and the Royal Botanical Gardens are using prescribed burns to restore tallgrass habitats. These habitats provide crucial habitats for protected species like bobolinks and Eastern meadowlarks. By conducting controlled burns, these organizations are able to remove invasive species and promote the growth of native grasses and wildflowers.
The use of prescribed burns in urban and natural areas is a testament to the importance of fire as a management tool. As more cities and conservation organizations recognize the benefits of this practice, the restoration and conservation of ecosystems like the black oak forests of High Park will continue to thrive.
