The Maine Forest Service is partnering with Downeast Coastal Conservancy (DCC) to conduct a one-day prescribed burn at Middle River Park in Machias during the week of April 17th-20th. The exact date of the anticipated burn is to be determined and will be based on weather conditions. The designated site is composed of 25 acres of marsh along Middle River, to the east and northeast of the current sliding hill.
Access to Middle River Park will not be permitted on the day of, and potentially the day after the burn. Follow Downeast Coastal Conservancy on Facebook or visit downeastcoastalconservancy.org for updated information.
A prescribed burn is outlined as a goal in DCC’s Middle River Park Management Plan. For several years, the marsh at Middle River was burned to control forest migration, improve grassland vegetation, and improve the overall health of the marsh. DCC has decided to reintroduce the management practice this spring, following 10 years of dormancy.
Burning the marsh and meadow areas of Middle River Park will bring numerous ecological and recreational benefits to the property. Using prescribed fire as a management technique will mitigate the increasingly high deer tick populations present on the property, widen and improve the cross-country ski and snowshoe trail, allow for a larger sliding hill over time, and manage the quickly spreading forest edge. The burn will also be conducted in April so as not to disturb ground-nesting species of birds that inhabit the marsh.
Our local Maine Forest Service will be taking the lead on this controlled burn. Ryan Mola, DCC’s Stewardship Director, can be contacted with any questions at ryan@downeastcoastalconservancy.org or (207) 255-4500.