The Kansas air and skies are hazy and filled with the smell of smoke. It is Kansas prairie burn time which happens every spring.
These fields are by Lake Wabaunsee, Kansas, and were being burned yesterday, Sunday.
According to Ross Natural History Reservation–Prairie Burning:
“Spring burning of the tallgrass prairie is a ritual in the Flint Hills of east-central Kansas. The practice began by early cattle ranchers follows still older Indian tradition, in which spring burning promoted the growth of new grass to sustain the buffalo. Long misunderstood or opposed by the public, prairie fire is now recognized as an important, natural management tool for maintaining the grassland environment (Hoy 1993). Controlled prairie burning has several important benefits.
Old, dead grass is removed, which allows rapid growth of new grass for cattle grazing.
Nutrients in the old grass are returned to the soil to fertilize new growth.
Woody brush and trees are inhibited from spreading into prairie grassland.”
To read more and to view pictures about prairie burns and techniques, click on link: Ross Natural History Reservation–Prairie Burning
Copyright © 2008 by Anna Surface. All Rights Reserved.
Preston Surface
5 Comments
We do burning here in Florida too. Burn the palmettos and its surprising how quickly the ground turns green with new life.
Yes, the old gives way to the new.
Hi Paul. I didn’t know that! We lived in Tampa for awhile a long time ago. Seems like a long time….
Isn’t that the way of it, Bo? Indeed.
Thanks for your comments and stopping by.
I ran in to the site while surfing, very nice photos. I live in Ashland Ks, Clark Co. I enjoyed reading.
Thanks
Tammoura Curry
Dancing Deer Photography
Ashland Ks
Hi Tammoura. I haven’t visited Ashland, KS yet. Thank you for commenting and stopping by.
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