MADISON -- Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources staff plan to conduct prescribed burning this winter at Horicon Marsh, located in southeast Wisconsin.

These prescribed burns, planned for seven units at Horicon Marsh, will take place in January and February 2017 if appropriate weather conditions exist. Five of these units are on state property, while two units are a combination of state and federal refuge and will be conducted in cooperation with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff.

Prescribed burning at Horicon Marsh is part ongoing efforts to remove much of the standing dead cattail stems to provide more areas for spring bird migration, feeding and roosting. Prescribed burning will also give plants other than cattails a better chance to grow in the area. In spring and summer, these areas provide easy access for muskrats to travel and access fresh vegetation - this helps increase muskrat numbers and will lead to a better mix of open water pockets desirable to a variety of wetland plants and animals. Burning over the ice at Horicon is a preferred management strategy to avoid nesting seasons and recreational activities.

The window for conducting prescribed burns is relatively small, due to special weather conditions required. The moisture level of groundcover, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity must be just right for a safe and successful burn.

Questions or comments regarding the prescribed burn should be directed to Paul Samerdyke, DNR wildlife biologist, at 920-763-6405 or via email at paul.samerdyke@wisconsin.gov.