Prescribed burns mimic natural wildfires, clearing encroaching trees and shrubs while recycling nutrients such as nitrogen back into the soil. This process encourages new growth, benefiting both herbivores and pollinators. The city’s natural resources staff plans each burn, considering factors like weather conditions and meeting specific burn objectives. The importance of these efforts is underscored by the fact that only 1% of Minnesota’s original prairie remains intact, highlighting the critical role of prescribed burns in preserving these vital ecosystems.