To Make a Prairie

by Gwyn Padden

These photos were taken at Shoveler's Sink outside of Madison, Wisconsin. The prairie was burned on 04 April 2006. The first photo was taken the morning after the burn. The second photograph was taken 16 days later on 20 April 2006. How quickly life grows back and resumes after an intense procedure!

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XCVII

To make a prairie it takes a clover and one bee,—
One clover, and a bee,
And revery.
The revery alone will do
If bees are few.

Emily Dickinson (1830–86). Complete Poems. 1924.

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"Fire is an important part of prairie ecology; natural and human induced fires were common in historic prairie areas." (Prairie, wikipedia)

"Managing woodland prairie requires frequent burning, from annual to every two to three years. Longer burn intervals will result in tree and tall shrub encroachment. Prescribed burning is required to protect and enhance plant species diversity and prevent encroachment of trees and tall shrubs, which outcompete light-demanding prairie plants" (Woodland Prairie)

Photos © 2006 Gwyn Padden. All rights reserved. Do not cut and take.