As part of our mission to care for our earth, this
native Wisconsin prairie preserves a part of the natural diversity that
thrived before European settlers came to this part of southern Wisconsin.
The wild flowers are at their peak in the heat of the summer: yellow
coneflower, purple cone-flower, bergamot, and later goldenrod and asters.
We invite you to walk the path in the prairie and experience this special
place for yourself.
Maintaining the prairie since 1983 has been a cooperative effort by members
of the Madison Christian Community. In the spring church members burn the
prairie to stimulate native plants and control non-native species.
A planned controlled prairie burn is extremely beneficial tool in the
sustainability and management of a prairie; in fact some fire is essential.
Having evolved under the influence of fire for thousands of years, prairies
respond favorably to controlled fires. It has been well
documented that
Native Americans used fire extensively to improve game habitat, increase nut
and berry production, and create easier traveling.
Fire rejuvenates a prairie in many ways. Burning removes the excess leaf
litter and duff allowing more plants to flower, produce seed, and grow
taller. It also increases available nutrients through indirect stimulation
of microbial activity in the soil and releasing nutrients from the ash.
Burning exposes the darkened soil and allows sunlight to warm the soil
quicker and extend the growing season for warm season native plants. The
fire suppresses many weeds and non-native invasive cool season grass like
brome and reeds canary grass. Fire also damages or kills many woody invasive
plants such as bush honey suckle and autumn olive, which, if left unchecked
can quickly over take a prairie.
Photo by John Murray Mason
Controlled burning is one of several management tools used to preserve
prairie. Mowing, hand cutting, and chemical treatments are some others.
Generally we burn our three prairies on an every-other year rotation, with a
portion of the prairie remaining unburned to allow for an escape area for
wildlife and insects. Come back to that black spot in a week or two and see
how beautifully green it becomes. Come back through-out the growing season
and see the wildlife, insects, and prairie bloom.
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Photos by Jim Muehl
MCC Prairie Ministry Presentation for
Lutherans
Restoring Creation
Maintaining the Prairie
Maintaining the prairie since 1983 has been a cooperative effort by members
of the Madison Christian Community. In the spring church members burn the
prairie to stimulate native plants and control non-native species.

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