Dick Zartler

Blackland Prairie Raptor Center Raptor Center Shaking the Trees

Feeling the Burn: Controlled burn at BPRC

by Lorelei Stierlen, 2014

Our team, Dick Zartler, Rick Park, Steve Their and I had spent weeks preparing the fire breaks and cutting the cedars, applying all the lessons learned from the 2020 burn. We had implemented creative solutions to the problem of a lack of fuel on the ground in certain areas to ensure a complete burn on the entire west side. There were many pounds of seed standing by in my garage. Everything was inspected and approved by January. We were ready. Then it snowed, followed by what seemed to be never ending rain – and that did not bode well; our window for a winter burn was closing fast.

On March 8, the call came from Michael Covey, our burn boss. The prescribed burn of roughly 6 acres on the west end of the park was a go for the following day. It is an adrenaline rush knowing that all the effort was about to come to fruition, and the restoration of another section of Brockdale Park could begin. The McKinney fire department sent their senior crew to help lead the effort, and the Plano and Lucas fire departments were on site for wildfire training by 9AM on the 9th.

McKinney Fire Department Photo by Lorelei Stierlen

Just four short hours later, there remained but a few blackened tree branches and trunks, the rest was biochar. We started seeding the next day, and the spring rains will do the rest.

Prescribed burn of roughly 6 acres on the west end of the BPRC Photo by Lorelei Stierlen

Some see fire as a destructive force, however, prescribed burns allow a return of the natural fire cycle to the grasslands. To add a quote, fire “…also has dominion over another province: change.” (Jim Butcher, Cold Days, 2012.) The surrounding community benefits when the fuel load is removed as this reduces the chance for destructive, accidental, wildfires to occur. The nutrients from the biomass are now contained in the biochar and will return to the soil for use by the emerging plants. And it allows those of us who are attempting to restore the Blackland Prairie to seed these areas with Collin County native species, thereby reducing the foothold of the invasive.

Just six days after the burn, the Indian plantain were back as if nothing had happened. Prescribed burns are the most valuable tool in my arsenal.

Indian Plantain Photo by Lorelei Stierlen

Blackland Prairie Raptor Center Plants Shaking of the Trees Post Shaking the Trees

Shoring up the Shoreline at Raptor Center

By Dick Zartler, 2007

During the first week in March a group of Blackland Prairie Master Naturalists, led by Rick Travis and Lorelei Stierlen and joined by Lisa Travis, Susan Abernethy and Dick Zartler, planted over 300 cuttings to help stabilize the BPRC’s eastern shoreline on Lavon lake.

The eastern shoreline, on the open lake, steep and consisting of unconsolidated clays, has been eroded over almost 70 years by a combination of “wave wash” from passing boats and periodic changes in water levels. The cuttings were about 18” to 24” long and consisted of black willows and buttonbushes, both water-loving local natives. Holes for the cuttings were made with simple probes and averaged 6-10 inches deep.

Additional plantings of up to 200-300 cuttings are planned in the next few weeks, Contact Lorelei (Lorstierlen@gmail.com) if you want to help.

Periodic updates on the success of this stabilization are planned.

Birds Blackland Prairie Raptor Center Prairie Restoration Raptor Center Shaking of the Trees Post Shaking the Trees Trees

BPRC 2020 Prairie Restoration Projects

By: Lorelei Stierlin and Dick Zartler

In 2020 the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center (BPRC) achieved major milestones in its Blackland Prairie restoration efforts. Thanks to increased participation by members of the BPTMN and community volunteers we:

-Conducted our first prescribed burn of almost 17.5 acres, changing fallowing rangeland to vigorous emerging prairies, discovering species such as prairie larkspur and ruellia which had not had an obvious presence for many years;

– In partnership with Connemara’s northern bobwhite restoration efforts, over 100 northern bobwhites were reintroduced to the BPRC. To aid the survival of these quail, a dozen brush piles were made to provide cover for nests and protection from predators;

-With the help of REI, Scouts, and community volunteers, we cut a new trail introducing new sections of our BPRC prairies to our visitors;

-Led by Rick Travis of the BPTMN, established a base line survey of the number, variety, and location of trees within the BPRC. This survey will guide our efforts to remove non-native trees and shrubs, such as privet and chinaberry, as well as help form a restoration plan for our riparian forests;

-Removed invasive plants from our four native prairie demonstration plots which took hold during the first months of their existence;

-Harvested native grass and plant seeds both within the BPRC as well as in other areas of Collin County. We are also exchanging our collected seeds with The Nature Conservancy of Texas. These seeds will be replanted in the BPRC to improve the biodiversity of our prairie.

-Our prairie education efforts were greatly reduced by Covid-19 restrictions, but early in 2020 we did conduct our regular “First Saturday” guided trail walks and, this fall, socially-distanced training for new trail guides.

In early 2021 we are planning to conduct a prescribed burn in 5-6 acres of unburned areas of the park. We have already begun cutting to the ground 5 to 10 foot fire breaks along fence lines, tree lines, trails and structures and more will be required before the burn.

As our riparian forest plans develop, we will begin thinning trees, and removing invasive trees to provide for better growth of those remaining, and to improve visitor access to our wooded areas.

We also expect to have another bobwhite release this spring and will be constructing brushy shelters for nesting and predator protection.

As the COVID-19 restrictions are reduced, we will again provide guided trail walks through our plots and prairies and will conduct trail guide training in anticipation of increasing community interests in the BPRC’s restoration and conservation efforts.

One of over a dozen brush piles providing safe havens for newly released bobwhites

Main prairie fragment just after burn February 2020

One of four demonstration plots maintained and used for seeds

Article Submitted By Greg Tonian

Birds Raptor Center Shaking of the Trees Post Shaking the Trees Wildlife

Bob Mione & Lorelei Stierlen – New Meaning to When I am calling you

Currently, about 70 quail have been relocated to the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center and can be heard calling all over the property. This video is of the first release.

https://bpraptorcenter.org/

Flora and Fauna General Prairie Restoration Raptor Center Shaking of the Trees Post Shaking the Trees

Dick Zartler & Lorelei Stierlen – Raptor Center Land Restoration

Dick and Lorelei guided about 9 tribe members through the prairie acres of the Raptor Center. They gave an overview of the needs for trail guides and of the exciting restoration and preservation efforts.

Photos compliments of Tasha Patterson, new class representative on the board. It was exciting to see Brockdale liatris among the prairie community members. And yes, that is Dick and Lorelei center stage.

Birds Flora and Fauna Raptor Center Shaking of the Trees Post

Dick Zartler – BPRC Turkey Vultures

While inspecting the status of the BPRC’s recently burned meadows (doing very well, thank you), came upon these. Turkey vultures who have adopted the Raptor Center as their favorite hangout space. And why not? Water is good and handouts of partially consumed carcasses from the mews and hospital provide an easy lunch. They also are not easily spooked.