Prairie StoryMap

One of Wolf Haven’s annual prairie restoration activities is conducting prescribed burns on our prairie to support native plants and pollinators. Our partners at Ecostudies Institute and Center for Natural Lands Management use prescribed burning, removal of invasive plants like Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), and seeding as critical restoration tools. Prescribed burns are extremely weather dependent, with temperature, humidity, wind, and moisture all factors for consideration.

In 2022, Matt Einhorn and Melinda Wood (Master of Environmental Studies students at The Evergreen State College) documented Wolf Haven’s prescribed burn with their Geographic Information Systems professor, Mike Ruth. Their goal was to showcase the biodiversity, restoration, and cultural history of our prairie. They hope their resulting cartographic map will bring forth the importance of fire ecology and how it will aid in the possible reintroduction of the endangered Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly (Euphrydryas editha taylori).

Part of the project involved Mike and Matt capturing aerial drone footage prior to and during the prescribed burn process, staying high to avoid the heat and smoke. The resulting video and images provide stunning and informative imagery. View their entire StoryMap below.