News

Park managers at Fort Scott National Historic Site, in coordination with Fire Managers at the US Fish and Wildlife Service from Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge, plan to burn the five-acre restored prairie this March 2024. The soonest date will be this Wednesday, March 12th, if conditions are safe and will meet the park’s goals. The specific date and ignition will depend upon weather conditions and the burn may be postponed or canceled if conditions are unfavorable.

The National Park Service will invest $195 million in Inflation Reduction Act funding to restore and build resilience in the lands and waters that serve as important wildlife and native plant habitats, spaces for recreation and reflection, and memorials to our nation’s history.

On August 21-25, Pipestone National Monument will be hosting a Minnesota Master Naturalist course in partnership with the University of Minnesota Extension Office. Biological Science Technician Richard Schroyer will be offering “Prairies and Potholes,” a class covering the tallgrass prairie ecosystem. The morning sessions will be held on the Minnesota West Pipestone Campus and feature lecture and discussion about the tall grass prairie, its fauna and flora, and the geology of the area. Afternoons will consist of field trips to the Monument. In addition to these activities, participants will create a Capstone Project related to the park.

Pipestone National Monument plans to have a prescribed burn lasting one day during the period of April 24 – May 20, 2023. When appropriate wind, temperature, and humidity conditions exist within this date range, approximately 100 acres of the tall grass prairie will be burned.

This program will focus on animal adaptations, conservation, and prairie ecology.

Saturday, September 24th, is National Public Lands Day. Here at Pipestone National Monument, we focus on restoration of the tallgrass prairie. Come be part of this annual event and join the park staff from 9:00am – 11:00am. Volunteers will assist with collecting prairie seeds, planting native seeds, and removing invasive species. No prior experience is needed - we’ll show you everything you need to know. Bring layers, sturdy shoes, and the whole family (kids tend to love being out in the prairie!). The necessary equipment will be provided.

Park managers at Fort Scott National Historic Site, in coordination with Fire Managers with the US Fish and Wildlife Service from Marais des Cygnes National Wildlife Refuge, plan to burn the five acre restored prairie Thursday, December 10, 2020.

Planning is underway to burn 676 acres of land inside Wind Cave National Park. Most of the burn will be adjacent to the visitor center this spring with 669 acres near the Elk Mountain Campground this fall. The spring burn could occur as early as the week of April 27th.

Beatrice, Nebraska - Homestead National Monument of America plans to conduct a prescribed burn treating approximately 35 acres of its restored tallgrass prairie. This one day event will occur the first day in which favorable and safe conditions exist after October 15, 2019. Representatives from the National Park Service, local firefighters, and other federal firefighting agencies and departments will assist in igniting, monitoring and controlling the prescribed fire.

Help collect seed from Homestead National Monument of America’s tallgrass prairie. Interested volunteers are invited to meet at Homestead’s Education Center on October 12, 2019 at 1 p.m. for a short orientation to learn about the species that will be collected before heading out to the prairie to harvest seed. All ages are welcome; please bring gloves and wear long pants and long sleeve shirts along with sturdy shoes as you will be walking through the prairie.