Fire is being used to manage the coastal habitat at Stratford Point. Photo copyright Twan Leenders, Ph.D., for Connecticut Audubon Society
February, 2012 – As part of our ongoing work to restore the coastal habitat at Stratford Point, Connecticut Audubon Society collaborated with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to carefully burn about 20 acres of the Point’s grassland on Tuesday, February 28.
The controlled burn was designed to get rid of invasive plants and remove the build-up of decaying, nutrient-rich vegetation, which will help native grasses and wildflowers to flourish, and reduce the risk of wildfires.
Overseen by a crew of 13 from the DEEP’s Forestry Division, the controlled burn was actually a series of sequential fires set by using drip torches fueled by diesel and gasoline, and controlled using water hoses, rakes and rubber mats. Read more here.