High Park prescribed fires program protects rare biome
Over ten hectors of land were burnt at High Park to protect the black oak savannas and to refuel the soil with the nutrients it needs to survive.
The savanna is an endangered biome in Ontario that requires fires to maintain itself. Fires help keep brush and invasive species out to maintain the black oak trees which give the savanna its name.
A sunrise ceremony was held by the Indigenous Land Stewardship Circle before the fires took place on Apr 9. The Stewardship Circle partners with the City to have the prescribed fires be done traditionally with ceremony, music and dance.
This fire was announced at the beginning of March with the estimated time for the burn being at the end of that month. The delay was due to weather conditions which were needed, says Ray Vendrig, manager of Urban Forestry for Toronto.
