Prior Lake, Minnesota - Land Department staff from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community are planning to conduct several prescribed burns on Community land between November and December 2006. A prescribed burn is an intentionally lit, low intensity fire used by land managers to replicate natural fires. Prescribed burns benefit natural communities by removing dead plant materials (biomass), adding nutrients to the soil, releasing native seed banks, and killing non-native species. In order for a burn to be conducted, very precise conditions are required, including humidity, wind speed and direction, and vegetation which is dormant but not snow-covered.

Up to 54 acres may be burned in six different areas: six acres at the corner of County Roads 82 and 83 adjacent to Dakotah Meadows RV Park and Campground and Mini Storage; a 1.2 acre site of medians planted in prairie along Dakotah Parkway; an 8.4 acre site of prairie on the northwest side of Dakotah Parkway; a 6.9 acre site next to the new Public Works Building at the corner of CR 42 and Dakotah Parkway; and a 31.3 acre wetland/prairie complex to the east of Dakotah Parkway.

In a natural setting, a low intensity fire would burn a prairie/wetland complex on a 3-5 year cycle. Fire prevention activities leave most natural areas overgrown and susceptible to being invaded by non-native species. Most of SMSC's restoration areas are approaching 3-6 years of age and need burning. SMSC Land Department staff will conduct the prescribed burns with Mdewakanton Emergency Services and Bureau of Indian Affairs fire personnel.

As Dakota people dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment, the SMSC has a staff of biologists, water resource specialists, and technicians in the Land and Natural Resources Department. Environmental specialists have restored and planted 80 acres of native prairie grasses and wildflowers; sowed wild rice; managed wetlands; surveyed wildlife; conducted prescribed burns; and planted trees, grasses, plants, and traditional medicines and foods in areas of the Community. Hydrologists assess water quality, coordinate the Community's Wellhead Protection Program, and implement erosion control. Tribal beehives are maintained, and honey gathered and bottled for distribution. Maple sap is collected from Community trees. Community youth are involved in many of these projects.

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