Wilderness Park Controlled Burn Scheduled for February 12

Published on February 12, 2024

Parks and Recreation staff will conduct a controlled burn from about 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today, Monday, February 12, in a five-acre portion of Wilderness Park east of South First Street between Pioneers Boulevard and Old Cheney Road. The trailhead parking lot on South First Street and hiking/biking trails (red and green trails) from the trailhead to marker 27 will be closed until noon Tuesday, February 13.

The public is advised to avoid the area during this project. Controlled burns are a tool to manage large areas of native plants and grasses. Land managers monitor weather and air quality conditions to ensure safe burns.

“Controlled burns are an effective and important tool to manage large areas of land that are host to native plants and grasses. The process helps control invasive species like cedar trees in prairies before they can cause overcrowding and competition with desired vegetation, lowers the risk of wildfires by managing the space and volume of tinder, and  improves habitat for wildlife and plant diversity,” said Aaron Druery, Greenways District Supervisor for Lincoln Parks and Recreation. “Our crews monitor air quality and weather reports constantly when scheduling and performing the burn to ensure a safe burn event.”

For more information on the project, contact Druery at 402-499-1044. For more information about Parks and Recreation, visit parks.lincoln.ne.gov.