A day after a “red flag” weather alert delayed the work, University of Iowa Facilities Management Landscape Services staff began conducting a prairie burn at 8:30 a.m. today (Thursday, April 10) adjacent to Hawkins Drive and west of the Ronald McDonald House.

If time and conditions allow, a burn will also occur at the prairie remnants along the bike trail between Hawkins Drive and Mormon Trek Boulevard.

Burning is a preferred prairie management practice over mowing because more of the unwanted vegetation is removed and the prairie responds with renewed vigor. UI Landscape Services conducts controlled burns about every three years at various prairie sites around campus.