Triangle Land Conservancy to Conduct Controlled Burn at Horton Grove Nature Preserve

DURHAM, N.C. - Jan. 12, 2016 - PRLog -- Triangle Land Conservancy (TLC) will conduct a controlled burn on 30 acres at Horton Grove Nature Preserve in Durham County on Wednesday, January 13, 2016.

Since 1983, the nonprofit Triangle Land Conservancy has permanently conserved over 17,500 acres of land across six counties in the Triangle region. TLC owns and manages 4,800 acres of land, including Horton Grove Nature Preserve and five additional public preserves.

TLC conserves land to safeguard clean drinking water, protect natural habitats, support local farms and food, and connect people with nature. The controlled burns are part of an effort to restore a native warm-season grassland as outlined in the Horton Grove Nature Preserve Comprehensive Management Plan.

Native grasslands, open meadows, and the species relying on these ecosystems are declining throughout the Piedmont. This burn is designed to reduce woody plant growth and promote native warm season grasses and flowering plants beneficial to wildlife in open areas.

A state-certified prescribed burner created an NCFS Prescribed Fire Plan to guide the burn. Controlled burns can only be conducted in ideal weather conditions, and only using low-intensity fires. Updated information about the burn, including possible rescheduling information, will be posted at www.triangleland.org.

Burns use existing firebreaks, such as streams and roads, as well as firebreaks constructed by staff and volunteers. Staff and volunteers then patrol the firebreaks to ensure the fire does not escape. Volunteers are welcome and if you would like to volunteer, please email Matt Rutledge at mrutledge@triangleland.org.

Horton Grove Nature Preserve will remain open to the public during the burn with the exception of the Holman Loop, Peaks Loop, and Walker trails which will reopen the following day. A map of the preserve and its trails can be found on TLC's website. Anyone visiting Horton Grove on a burn day is asked to obey any closures and all signage posted at the preserve.