COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) invites landowners, natural resources managers, and others interested in learning about prescribed fire to free workshops across mid-Missouri this spring.

These clinics will cover controlled burning as a method of boosting wildlife habitat and reducing less desirable plant species. MDC staff will discuss methods and techniques for implementing controlled burns, safety considerations, and proper weather conditions for conducting a burn. The workshops will also cover how to create a burn plan and time the burn based on your management objectives and landscape.

“These workshops are a great opportunity for landowners to learn how to properly conduct a prescribed burn on their property,” said MDC Private Land Conservationist Ryan Lueckenhoff.  “Prescribed fire is a great tool for creating early successional habitat, maintaining plant diversity and stimulating new growth. In these workshops we’ll talk about the use of burn plans, conditions that affect fire behavior, how to use burn equipment, and much more.”

Each workshop will consist of a classroom session, followed by a demonstration burn, weather permitting. Attendees should bring field clothing (cotton or wool; no synthetics), leather boots and gloves to wear for the demonstration burn. The workshops are free to attend, but participants must pre-register.

Find a prescribed fire workshop near you, and register today:

• Co-Mo Electric – 29868 Highway 5 in Tipton
  8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 2
  Register by Feb. 26
  Contact MDC Private Land Conservationist Dean Stucker at
  573-796-0286 or Dean.Stucker@mdc.mo.gov

• Prairie Fork Conservation Area near Williamsburg
  9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturday, Mar. 9 Register by Mar. 1 at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/165982
  For more information, call MDC Private Land Conservationist Jordon Beshears at
  573-564-3715, ext. 110

• Blind Pony Conservation Area near Sweet Springs
  9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Monday, Mar. 11 Register by Mar. 6
  Contact MDC Private Land Conservationist Will Casner at Casner@mdc.mo.gov
• Big Spring Fire Department – 758 S. Highway 19 near New Florence
  9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Saturday, Apr. 6 Register by Apr. 1 at mdc-event-web.s3licensing.com/Event/EventDetails/165995
  For more information, call MDC Private Land Conservationist Jordon Beshears at
  573-564-3715, ext. 110

  For more information on prescribed fire workshops, visit mdc.mo.gov/your-property/fire/prescribed-fire.