Spring Time. Time to Burn the Park

It’s spring everyone so it’s time to light the park on fire. No; we’re not joking. This spring, 2 neighbourhood parks will undergo Traditional and Prescribed burns; weather permitting. Both High Park and Lambton Park will undergo the burns at a yet to be scheduled date this April. There will be a 24-48 hour notice for each burn posted on city channels.

The city has a very good primer on how and why the burn will be conducted on their website noting that, “Toronto’s rare Black Oak savannah, contain prairie plants that respond positively to burning, and that grow more vigorously than they would in the absence of fire.” This knowledge has been passed on from local Indigenous communities which is why they are called Traditional and Prescribed burns. Less then 3% of Ontario’s Black Oak savannah remains today and much of that is right here.

If you’d like to get involved and learn more about the stewardship of our local forests there is an advocacy organisation called LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) that has spring volunteer opportunities. They are holding a virtual volunteer primer in April.