2)How often should you burn? Consider every 10 years combined with mowing and grazing. Standard burn cycles are often 2 or 3 years; however, negative effects of fire and possibility of species extirpation have resulted in suggestions of 10 to 30 year cycles. Leave some sections burn free permanently. Black soil prairies with high biomass production may require more frequent fires than dry, sandy, or rocky, low biomass prairies.

3)Burn in long linear shapes. This method provides a longer border for slow-moving species to repopulate. Use multiple strips.

4)Avoid burning contiguous parcels in consecutive years. This plan allows species with several year recovery times to repopulate.

5)Avoid relighting areas that were skipped by burns. These areas provide a natural refuge for species harmed by fire.

6)Minimize backfires since these may result in a longer exposure to a hotter fire at the surface.

7)Create firebreaks by mowing the breaks the summer before the burn. This practice allows for disintegration of debris and hence cleaner breaks and less labor into raking away debris. Fire breaks can be created by mowing, hand brush cutting, plowing adjoining non prairie land, or by using roads, creeks, paths, etc.

8)Vary the timing of burns. Invading alien cool season species are commonly battled with a spring burn after the alien species have leafed out and greened up. Consider varying the time of burns, so as not to artificially select spring burn favored communities.

9)Consult other sources for specific burning techniques.

GRAZING

   Large herbivore grazing should be considered for occasional, brief periods of intense grazing (simulating natural grazing) on small subsections as delineated under ``FIRES." Livestock should be quarantined for two days with weed free hay prior to their introduction onto the prairie in order to remove seeds from their digestive system Prairie grazing increases efficiency of farming operations due to high nutrition and relieving pressure on cool season pastures.

   Native species (bison, elk) are recommended for grazing. Availability and practical concerns presently limit this choice. Prairie managers need to encourage the improved availability and use of native herbivores. Site specific herbivores can be considered (bison for open mid and tall grass, elk for savanna).

   Domestic grazers such as sheep and cattle are less desirable, however, they will work for short periods of grazing. Domestic animals feed differently than native bison, elk, rabbits, prairie dogs, insects and other herbivores. For example, bison preferentially feed on grasses whereas domestic grazers selectively reduce some flowering species. Cattle grazing will yield a different, less natural biological community than bison grazing.

MOWING/HAYING

   Mowing and haying simulate some features of grazing and are helpful and efficient in treating large areas of woody vegetation and alien weed overgrowth. Consider occasional mowing and haying during the growing season on small subsections as delineated under "FIRES". Prairie hay is desirable and efficient for livestock feeding.

BURROWING

We also need to consider the effects of soil disturbance. Some species thrive with soil disturbance from burrowing or uprooted trees.