Published on: October 01, 2024

Tulsa Botanic Garden plans to have our first prescribed burn on Wednesday, Oct. 2, starting around 10 a.m. The area within the planned burn is approximately 19 acres and is focused on a section of tall grass prairie inside the existing 1-mile loop hiking trail. The hiking trail entrance/exit is just west of the Holmes Family Square at the top of the Tandy Floral Terraces. Weather conditions including humidity, wind speed and wind direction must fall within specific parameters for a prescribed or controlled burn to take place.

Why a prescribed burn?

The purpose of the burn is to help in restoring the ecosystem by helping remove invasive or aggressive woody species including eastern red cedar, Chinese privet and winged elm,  as well as rejuvenating the native grassland species. According to Olive Prichard, Curator of the Garden’s Cross Timbers Nature Trail and Bost Arboretum, “We are burning in early October because research shows that late summer/early fall burns promote flowering perennials and we’re hoping to increase plant diversity.”

Conservation Partners

The Garden’s horticulture and operations staff received prescribed burn training from members of the Oklahoma Prescribed Burn Association. Curator Olive Prichard is working with members of The Nature Conservancy-Oklahoma, Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture and faculty of Oklahoma State University’s Natural Resource Ecology & Management to develop habitat restoration plans.

Funding to help with the burn is being provided by Oaks and Prairies Joint Venture’s Grassland Restoration Incentive Program (GRIP) and members of their staff will be assisting with the controlled burn at the Garden. Members  of Pawnee County Prescribed Burn Association and Black Dog Volunteer Fire Department will be assisting as well.

Cross Timbers at the Botanic Garden

The Botanic Garden’s master plan includes development of gardens and facilities on about 70 acres when complete, with the additional 100 acres of the  Garden property being managed to conserve and interpret the native flora and fauna for visitors. The Garden sits in the Cross Timbers ecoregion which is a mosaic of prairie, woodland and savanna. Forested areas of the Cross Timbers are some of the least disturbed forest types in the eastern United States. More about the Cross Timbers here.

Get involved

The Garden is working on a Recreational Trails Program grant to improve the natural area and hiking trail. A public meeting will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, starting at 11:30 a.m. in the Mabee Grange event center for discussion and input from the public. Garden staff will lead an optional hike on the current trail at 10 a.m. for those attending the public meeting. More information about the public meeting here.  

Volunteers, ages 18 and up, are needed to help with upcoming trail and native habitat restoration projects. Sign up to receive more information.