WILMINGTON, DE — In a joint effort to maintain and enhance the natural beauty of Brandywine Creek State Park, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) and the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA) have announced plans for a controlled burn. The operation is set for sometime in February or March, weather permitting.
This prescribed burn will target nearly 30 acres of meadowland near the park’s nature center. Despite most of the areas managed by DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation being forested, Brandywine Creek State Park stands out for its expansive meadowland vistas divided by blue gneiss stone walls. The last time such an operation was conducted at the park was in 2013.
So, why a controlled burn? This may sound counterintuitive, but it’s actually a highly effective technique for managing meadowlands. It mimics the effects of a natural fire, helping to halt the progression of meadowland towards becoming a forest. In other words, it’s a way to keep the meadows as meadows.
But the benefits don’t stop there. The process should also invigorate the growth of native wildflowers and warm-season grasses. These plants, in turn, create more suitable habitats for a range of grassland-dependent creatures. Among these are nesting birds like the eastern bluebird and common yellowthroat, native pollinator insects like the orange sulphur and monarch butterflies, and various other animals that call the meadowland home.
The operation isn’t as simple as just setting a controlled fire, though. Several factors need to align for everything to go smoothly. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation is working closely with DNREC’s Division of Air Quality and the DDA Forest Service to ensure the burn is executed safely and effectively. The burn is set to take place on a single day, with the date determined by weather conditions, personnel availability, and open burning approval.
As for public access, Brandywine Creek State Park will be closed on the day of the burn for safety reasons. The exact date will be announced once confirmed via the park’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
This controlled burn represents a crucial step in preserving the unique character of Brandywine Creek State Park and its vast meadowland views. It aims to maintain Delware’s natural spaces and protect the diverse species that inhabit them. With this operation, the park’s visitors can look forward to more vibrant wildflowers, lush grasses, and an enriched ecosystem for years to come.
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