Wisconsin Prescribed Burns

Showing Diverse and Colorful Results

By Richard E. Stark,
(608) 266-3943

In 1987, shortly after USH 51 (now I-39) was upgraded from a 2-lane highway to a 4-lane freeway through the central part of the state, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) let a contract for a landscape planting project along a 42 mile section of the new highway. The project, designed by the University of Wisconsin Landscape Architecture Department, included planting native trees and shrubs as well as seeding over 1350 pounds of native prairie grass and wildflower seed at just over 50 locations. In succeeding years, controlled burns have been conducted at a few of the sites to control invasive weeds, eliminate volunteer woody plants and spur flowering and seeding of the native grasses and wildflowers. In the spring of 2004 a crew of volunteer WisDOT employees, assisted by two fire crews from the Department of Natural Resources with a 250 gallon pumper truck, conducted a controlled burn on one of the larger sites. This site consisted of about 119 acres located mostly in a 250-foot wide median. Traffic control and a truck-mounted water tank were supplied by the County Highway Department. The photograph shows one of the WisDOT volunteers, Janet Smith who an Environmental Coordinator in one of the WisDOT district offices, laying down a backfire on the median site. The following July and August, displays of Yellow Coneflowers, followed by Pale Purple Coneflowers, blanketed about 1/4 mile of the Interstate median.

Janet Smith laying down a backfire on the median.

The 1987 project was the first project undertaken by WisDOT that included large-scale native prairie seeding. Many more have followed. Early efforts in native seeding were accomplished through special provisions. However, the seed mixes in our standard specifications have since evolved to where four of our nine standard seed mixes now consist of native grasses and forbs.

Along with seeding native species, WisDOT has had a limited mowing policy in place since the advent of the Interstate Highway System in the state in the early 1960’s. This policy has allowed native plants to regenerate along our roadsides. The policy essentially allows mowing from the edge of the shoulder out 15 feet or to the bottom of the ditch, whichever is less, and at other locations where safety is an issue such as at vision corners.

Four of nine standard mixes now consist of native grasses and forbs.

Prior to European (ca. 1848) settlement the southwest part of the state was occupied by tall grass prairie and related plant communities. As a result of a roadside vegetation inventory conducted in the early 1990’s, WisDOT identified several high-quality remnants of the the prairie that still exist on our rightsofway. In recent years, several contracts have been let to eliminate invasive species on some of these remnants through the use of prescribed fire, herbicide applications and selective cutting. These contracts were funded via Enhancement grants from the Federal Highway Administration.

In the 1990’s, WisDOT identified high-quality remnants.

Jens Jensen, renowned landscape architect who settled in Wisconsin in the early 1900’s, once said in a speech delivered in the state, “You have a beautiful state gifted with all the charm and loveliness of nature. God has been good to you in giving you so much of his infinite beauty. You are its keepers, not its destroyers. Wisconsin speaks a noble language every day to you. Listen and learn. Follow that advice—it is sound. It is native. It is home. Enrich your roadsides….. with this native beauty for yourself and for those that follow you.” WisDOT is doing its best to preserving the natural beauty of our state by preserving its natural heritage on our roadsides.

Native remnant brought back after four years of management.