YV4C Burn Season Prep 101
The cool stuff that’s really hot. Many conservation organizations use prescribed fire as a management tool. During this session, young people will learn the basics of fire ecology, safety considerations, and how crews prepare sites ahead of a controlled burn. Participants will assist with appropriate burn unit preparation tasks.
If conditions allow, the Dane County Parks Natural Resources Team will have a small demonstration burn for participants to observe, depending on weather and safety conditions.
Are you a young adult ages 15-21 who enjoys the outdoors? Join the Youth Volunteers for Conservation (YV4C) program to explore Dane County Parks while building real-world conservation skills. Participants will contribute to habitat restoration efforts and gain exposure to career pathways in natural resources across southern Wisconsin.
Date/Time:
Saturday, April 11
- Prescribed Burn 101: 9 am to 10am
- Visit & observe a prescribed burn leave Heritage Center at 10am
- Return to Heritage Center by 2pm - End time is variable based on the burn site location, return will be no later than 2pm.
Location:
Program will start and end at:
- Lussier Family Heritage Center. Heritage Room. 3101 Lake Farm Rd, Madison, WI 53711. Large room on the right when you enter the Heritage Center.
We will be leaving the Heritage Center at 10am and driving to a site to observe a burn at:
- Demo Burn Location TBD — Prescribed fire is highly dependent on site conditions, weather, and safety requirements. We will update this listing as soon as the most appropriate location for a small demonstration burn has been confirmed.
How to Prepare:
Have Completed:
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Background Check: Must be completed and passed. To provide permission, please log in to MyImpact.
- Dane County Parks Volunteer Waiver (Under 22): To complete waiver, please log into MyImpact.
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Behavior and Conduct Policy: This will be provided on your first volunteer day. Please read and sign the agreement at that time.
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Transportation Permission (Under 18): Permission from a parent/guardian will be needed. Please make sure your parent/guardian has signed the waiver online at MyImpact.
What to Know:
- In case of cancellation, a notification will be made via email and/or phone to participants who have signed up.
- Participants should be comfortable traversing uneven terrain.
- Participants should feel ready to observe while outdoors in a prescribed fire setting, where there may be smoke and visible flames, with trained staff present at all times.
- No experience is needed. All tools and training provided.
What to Wear & Bring:
- Please dress for the weather.
- Wear clothes made of natural fibers (cotton or wool), as synthetic fabrics can melt.
- Recommend Clothes: Long pants, long-sleeved shirt, baseball hat, closed-toed sturdy shoes.
- Please avoid: shorts, synthetic athletic fabrics (like polyester/nylon), open-toe shoes, and loose dangling clothing.
- Bring a sack lunch and a water bottle. Extra lunches can be made available if you are unable to bring your own. Please reach out to the Youth Conservation Coordinator if you feel you will need a lunch provided.
Questions?
- Grace Coleman, Youth Conservation Coordinator: Dane County Parks
- (608) 228-2590 parksvolunteer@danecounty.gov
