Prescribed Burning on State Park Lands

Quick Facts

Source: 
Parks & Trails Fund
Status: 
In Progress
Activity Type: 
Restoration/Enhancement
Counties Affected 
Statewide
This program is to increase prescribed burning on Division of Parks and Trails (PAT) lands in order to meet shortfalls in achieving PAT restoration and management objectives.

About the Issue

Prescribed burning is necessary to preserve fire-dependent native plant communities such as prairies and oak woodlands. Prescribed burning is also important at periodic intervals to maintain fire dependent native plant communities, stimulate seed production needed for new restoration sites and aid in controlling invasive species. The division's annual prescribed burn acreage will likely increase as the need to maintain additional restored fire dependent communities grows.
Status: 
In Progress

Project Details by Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year(s): 
2013
Legal Citation / Subdivision: 
M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 6, Art. 3, Sec. 3(a) (3)
Appropriation Language 
Sec. 3. Department of Natural Resources (a)$14,262,000 the first year and $14,603,000 the second year are for state parks, recreation areas, and trails to: (1)Connect people to the outdoors; (2)Acquire land and create opportunities; (3)Maintain existing holdings; and (4)Improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan
Fiscal Year Funding Amount: 
$221,298
Fiscal Year(s): 
2012
Legal Citation / Subdivision: 
M.L. 2011, First Special Session, Chp. 6, Art. 3, Sec. 3(a) (3)
Appropriation Language 
Sec. 3. Department of Natural Resources (a)$14,262,000 the first year and $14,603,000 the second year are for state parks, recreation areas, and trails to: (1)Connect people to the outdoors; (2)Acquire land and create opportunities; (3)Maintain existing holdings; and (4)Improve cooperation by coordinating with partners to implement the 25-year long-range parks and trails legacy plan
Fiscal Year Funding Amount: 
$221,298
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s) 
On average, PAT has conducted prescribed burns on 11,600 acres per biennium. The division's target for the FY2012-2013 biennium is just over 12,000 acres.
Measurable Outcome(s) 
The division has completed prescribed burns on 10,464 acres of state park lands. This is 87% of the target. Vagaries in weather impacted opportunities to burn additional acres.
Fiscal Year(s): 
2010
Legal Citation / Subdivision: 
M.L. 2009, Chp. 172, Art. 3, Sec. 2 (2)
Fiscal Year Funding Amount: 
$150,000
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s) 
On average, PAT has conducted prescribed burns on 10,000-13,000 acres per biennium. The division's target for the FY2010-2011 biennium is just over 19,000 acres.
Measurable Outcome(s) 
The division has completed prescribed burns on 16,871 of state park lands. The division is well on its way to achieving the goal of 6,000 acres of additional prescribed burns conducted over the biennium (target +AD0- 19,164 acres).
Fiscal Year(s): 
2011
Legal Citation / Subdivision: 
M.L. 2009, Chp. 172, Art. 3, Sec. 2 (2)
Fiscal Year Funding Amount: 
$150,000

Project Manager

Edward
Quinn
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
500 Lafayette Road
St. Paul, MN
55155
651-259-5597
Email: 
edward.quinn@state.mn.us
Related Topics: 
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Restoration/Enhancement, Parks & Trails Fund, Statewide