MPF Native Grassland & Woodland Management Training

MPF is offering a free training opportunity to the general public, specifically aimed at young people entering the field of natural resource management, to gain hands-on experience managing native grasslands (prairies, glades, open woodlands, and fens), with the goal to increase the pool of future professionals (and/or prairie and woodland landowners) who can manage and therefore improve Missouri’s woodland and native grassland habitats.

Training will include:

• Two days of mechanical thinning of undesirable woody growth. Training will include woody plant identification, proper use of chainsaws and loppers, importance and proper use of personal protective equipment (for those using chain saws), and information on the historical vegetation of the Ozarks and Ozark Boarder—a matrix of prairie, open woodland/savanna, and forest.

• One-half day of a prescribed woodland burn. Training will include importance of fire line establishment, fire behavior, proper use of tools like flappers, rakes, backpack blowers (for fire lines) and backpack water pumps, and proper use of personal protective equipment (for those on burn front lines).

Dates: January 3-5, 2024 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. the first two days; 10:00 a.m. through lunch the third day. Inclement weather back-up dates are January 10-12.

Location: MPF’s Carver Prairie in Newton County; direction information is listed here: https://moprairie.org/project/carver-prairie

Details:
– Maximum of 15 trainees (Minimum 7)
– Lunch is provided on all days. Please bring a water bottle; we will have extra water on site.
– All tools will be provided, please bring work gloves, sturdy closed-toe shoes, and dress for the weather and protection from the elements

Registration: Email outreach@moprairie.org to register for this event by December 29, 2023.

About the location: Carver Prairie is a 163-acre tract in Newton County that was acquired by MPF in December 2015 with funding from a 2013 award from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.  Learn more here: https://moprairie.org/project/carver-prairie

Photo above by Erika Van Vranken.