Prescribed Burn Scheduled for Collier Preserve

The MetroParks is working in conjunction with Davey Resource Group (Kent, Ohio) to conduct a prescribed burn at Collier Preserve, a ~45-acre restored native grass prairie located at the corner of Tippecanoe Road and Western Reserve Road. Weather permitting, the project is anticipated to be completed in one day and will take place on Thursday, April 28, 2022, with Friday April 29 serving as an alternate date. Collier Preserve will be closed to the public for the duration of the project.

The controlled use of fire is a safe and effective management tool which provides several benefits including the suppression of invasive/undesirable species, removal of woody growth, reduction of thatch build-up, and the stimulation of native seed banks. In the case of Collier Preserve, Mill Creek MetroParks is entering the 4th year of post-planting management of the native warm season grass prairie. This stage is an ideal time to introduce fire as a management tool to bolster the maturing native grasses ensuring their success for years to come.