Fire Ecology and Land Management

Prescribed burning is a common tool used in Iowa land management. Shown is a video from Linn County Conservation about using prescribed burning for woodlands and prairie land management. Discussed are the techniques used and why fire is necessary to support healthy ecosystems. It also discusses the best practices and methods for prescribed burning.

Video

Linn County

Iowa Core Standard

7-LS2-5

Evaluate competing design solutions for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Driving Question

Should we “fight fire with fire”?

Probing Questions

As you watch the video, what do you notice about fire? How can something that seems destructive be restorative?
How might have indigenous people of Iowa managed the land before us?
What do you wonder about the current role of fire in managing our land? What can be changed or improved on?

Classroom Suggestions

Students could:

Consider the role of fire as regenerative rather than disruptive.
Create a land management plan for a place in Iowa that includes prescribed burning.
Work with a local conservation effort to participate in a prescribed burn.

Resources

Iowa Prairie Network | Prescribed Fire: Fire is an essential element of the prairie ecosystem. The resources found here are meant to help people understand the relationship of fires and the ecosystem, and how to properly, and safely apply those principles.
Linn County Conservation | About Us: Learn more about the Linn County Conservation Board.
PBS Learning Media | FIND Iowa: Prairies in Iowa: Iowa was once almost entirely covered by prairies, but now they are rather rare in the state. Investigate why prairies are environmentally important.

Contributors

Contributed by Shanti Sellz as part of the Iowa STEM Teacher Externship program.

Video provided courtesy Linn County Conservation.