WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY and HOW:
Who: This particular prescribed burn was arranged and will be paid for by The Friends of Scarlett Mitchell Woods at a cost of $3,500. The burn, if and when it comes off, will be managed by Dave Mindell of PlantWise Native Landscapes & Ecological Restoration, an Ann Arbor company founded in 1998 and using its well-trained crew. https://www.plantwiserestoration.com/
What: According to the PlantWise website:
“PlantWise is insured with a policy that specifically covers claims relating to prescribed to burns (though we have never had a claim!) At PlantWise, we use safe, proven techniques to complete successful burns. During our spring, summer, and fall burn seasons, we:
- Develop burn plans that outline the burn objectives, suitable weather
conditions, crew needs, contact information, and more - Secure necessary burn permits from the local fire jurisdiction(s)
- Work with landowners to notify neighbors
- Conduct safe, controlled burns using a full complement of fire control and personal protective equipment”
Where: This burn will take place on the south end of the central 40 acres of Mitchell-Scarlett Woods, which is owned by the Ann Arbor Public Schools, and, if conditions are right, along the south shore of the pond.
When: When is the trickiest part of the project. We are currently scheduled for the Spring Burn Season, which in Ann Arbor runs from March 2 to May 29. Although Prescribed Burns take a lot of thoughtful preparation, the timing is very difficult to predict because it is weather dependent. It has to be dry enough so that things will burn and the wind is critical: Wind speed and direction must be carefully monitored before and during the burn. In addition, because the burn will take place on school property, it cannot take place when school is in session. That means it would have to be done during Spring Break (March 30 through April 3 this year) or other days, such as elections or weekends, when students are not present in the schools. Last week Dave Mindell emailed a tentative date of Sunday, March 29, but that could still change.
Why: Although our Friends of the Woods group has held Work Days for nearly 4 years now, experience has shown that we can’t keep up with control of invasive shrubs, such as buckthorn and honeysuckle, simply by cutting and pulling. We are prohibited from using herbicides on school owned land and though other techniques, such as Buckthorn Baggies, are useful, they are not enough. Our hope is that controlled burns, which hark back to Native American traditions, and are used as a tool in city-owned portions of the Scarlett-Mitchell Natural Area will make a substantial difference.
HOW – Here are some references to online material from local agencies:
Ann Arbor NAP Controlled Ecological Burns
The controlled burn occurred on March 29, 2026.
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