Prescribed Fire Program

Kalamazoo Nature Center’s land management team is trained in wildland firefighting and uses prescribed fire to restore and maintain habitats, combat invasive vegetation, and reduce fuel loads in a variety of natural communities on KNC properties and in the region. Our staff is committed to networking with the Michigan Prescribed Fire Council and other partners to offer fire trainings, public outreach, and volunteer opportunities throughout the southwest Michigan region.

For questions about the program or to join our mailing list, please contact:

Prescribed Fire Volunteers

Prescribed fire volunteers are welcome to come help alongside trained KNC staff to burn various habitats on KNC property and other plots in the SW MI region.

Requirements/Become a Volunteer:

FFT2 NWCG Basic Wildland Firefighter certification Learn more here >

Attend KNC annual fire refresher training offered each spring

Hike off-trail on uneven terrain

Carry up to 50 pounds

Wear closed-toes leather work boots (no steel-toes)

Register as a KNC Volunteer

E-mail certification to to receive a link to our What’s App channel and be added to our e-mail list for communications about burns

Personal Protective Equipment (helmets, fire-resistant outerwear, gloves, radios) will be provided on burn days

Potential burn days will be communicated via the What’s App channel and email a few days prior with confirmed GO/NOGO announced by the morning of the burn day.

Fire Trainings

Fire Trainings

KNC partners with Michigan Prescribed Fire Council and other regional organizations to offer at least one S-130/S-190 Basic Wildland Fire Fighter field training and RT-130 fire refresher annually. Contact for more information

Collaboration

The Kalamazoo Nature Center is interested in partnering to expand the use of prescribed fire in Michigan.

Kalamazoo Nature Center was awarded a USDA Forest Service Cohesive Fire Strategy grant in 2024 to explore the current status of burn crews, prescribed fire capacity needs, and potential solutions through collaboration of organizations within southwest Michigan to increase prescribed burning on public and private lands. KNC has started conversations around a SW Michigan Fire Collaborative and the region’s fire community determined the top priorities to expand use of fire are fire trainings, personnel sharing, public outreach, and communications. The Collaborative group is committed to meeting annually to network and make goals for each year.

The Kalamazoo Nature Center also partners with and participates in the Michigan Prescribed Fire Council, a statewide organization that promotes the safe use of prescribed fire in Michigan.

If you are interested in partnering with us, please reach out to begin conversations.

Check out our Storymap of regional fire research and collaboration resources here. Use these research-backed resources to write applications for grants, develop public education resources, and more!

Volunteer

At the Kalamazoo Nature Center, volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Whether they’re lending a hand with a special event, helping care for the land, or supporting educational programs, we offer a wide variety of volunteer opportunities.

Community Science

As a Community Scientist, people of all ages and experience levels help gather different kinds of data about nature. This data is used to advance research, advise land managers, and inform policy makers to understand our changing climate, the health of our natural resources, and the quality of our wildlife habitats.

Prescribed Fire Program

Volunteer

Community Science

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