Positive Changes on Pleasant Bluff
Story by Eric Ressel, Minnesota Driftless Chapter volunteer
Drone image of prescribed burn at Pleasant Bluff.
As I approached Pleasant Bluff, just south of Winona, MN, I asked myself if this was the same location I visited a few years earlier, since this hillside was once densely infested with an onslaught of buckthorn and encroaching eastern red cedars. Since then, the Minnesota Driftless Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts has contributed substantially to ecological restoration on this impressive prairie remnant. Over 18 acres along the spine of this formidable bluff, which sits above the banks of the Mississippi River, have been restored due to the diligent, hard work from folks like Gabe Ericksen, who has spent countless hours traversing the steep terrain to cut and remove the cedars, eradicate invasive brush, and implement numerous prescribed burns over the years. Gabe is a restoration practitioner through his contracting business, Land Spirit Design Landscaping, and he has been the tip of the restoration spear on Pleasant Bluff, assisted by the landowners and the Minnesota Driftless Chapter.
At a mid-March occasion in 2023, a diverse crew was assembled to assist Gabe with an 11-acre prescribed burn on this precipitous goat prairie. Thirty people of all ages and backgrounds, from children to seniors, joined together to conduct a safe and successful prescribed burn. Many of the participants were members of the Minnesota Driftless Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts, but many of the participants weren’t. A substantive way in which the Minnesota Driftless Chapter of The Prairie Enthusiasts contributed to the burn was by loaning the Chapter’s prescribed burn equipment to Gabe for the day’s burn.
The slope of this lofty bluff approaches 60% and is nothing short of intimidating. On this day, thanks to restoration efforts, the fuel-bed consisted primarily of native warm-season grasses and wildflowers, with some scattered pockets of shrubs. The climb up the mowed firebreak was grueling for the whole group. At the top, along the ridge overlooking the Mississippi River, Steve Winter having been designated as the burn boss by Gabe, provided the crew with an overview of why we burn such fire-dependent ecosystems, and he demonstrated fire behavior on steep terrain. He also highlighted numerous safety considerations, such as tumbling rocks and tripping hazards. Steve educated the group on the importance of clear communication, being familiar with the weather and environmental conditions, such as the optimal wind direction and humidity, and being aware of the safety zones and escape routes at this particular site. Once everyone confirmed they were comfortable implementing the burn, we broke into several smaller crews that were positioned along the ridge and others down the steep firebreak on the northwestern side.
From the ridge we patiently waited for the progression of the fire from the ignition point, which was slow-going due to the calm conditions. My crew discussed strategy and stayed in contact with Steve and Gabe over the radio. We kept a careful watch as the gradually growing flames moved diagonally down the hillside. However, with barely a breeze the fire crept ever slowly, so Steve instructed me and fellow member Bill Hovell to ignite a shirt strip fire directly down the slope, which allowed the flames to spread more quickly in both lateral directions in the dense Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), side-oats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium). Bill and I worked our way down the steep slope towards the county road on the lower edge of the prairie where we rendezvoused with our other crew members, whom I literally passed the torch to so they could get some ignition experience. It was in that moment that I watched my greener group members become less fearful, and more comfortable and excited to use fire as an ecological tool!
In the meantime, another crew worked the line along the northern edge of the burn unit as the flames continued to consume the fuel down the slope. In the heat of the moment, the landowner, Paul Richards, was able to capture some stunning drone footage. I wondered what the children, who were positioned in a safety zone at the top of the ridge, and upwind from the fire, were thinking as they watched the fire grow from a safe distance. I’m sure this experience proved to be exhilarating, educational, and memorable for them. Along with the children, I hoped our new participants and the students that attended Steve’s burn school would also be inspired to continue with the restoration legacy.
Volunteer Gabe Ericksen burning. Photo by Laurie Arzaga.
Our crew continued to walk along the lower edge. We eventually met up with Gabe and his partner, and we extended the line as far east as possible. As the heat intensified above us and behind us, we ducked down into the refuge of a safety zone represented by a buckthorn thicket, which had little flammable fuel on the ground, as the flames progressed through the portions of the burn unit. I turned around and gave a gleeful smile as the sweltering flames made contact with many stems of the aggressive woody plants that are constantly trying to establish in prairies such as the one we were burning that day. We then moved again to our county road safety zone farther below, which we followed back to meet the main group. Gabe once again targeted the buckthorn as he ignited the strip of vegetation along the roadside edge, allowing the fire to burn up the slope and make contact with many buckthorn stems. We allowed the fire to spread up the slope into a grove of old white oaks that will surely benefit from the fire with more space to stretch their limbs.
We met to start mopping up and to review the outcome of the successful burn. Most of the group members then left, but I was greatly impressed by those devoted enthusiasts who decided to stay well into the evening. Gabe and Josh Lallaman led this late-night effort, which was carefully supervised into the early morning hours, and they were able to effectively burn an additional 3-acre area. The night burn looked equally serene and intensely dramatic. To me, this illuminating scene was the perfect illustration of the power of fire. It showed why prescribed burning promotes creation through destruction, making it an essential tool to encourage natural rejuvenation and regrowth, which helps to maintain prairies and savannas by preventing their conversion to other vegetation communities. Once again, demonstrating that fire is the ultimate management method to set back undesirable invasive vegetation, while stimulating the growth and reproduction of native grasses and wildflowers.
As I drove south to head home along the mighty river, I reflected on the progress of this goat prairie from its previous poor condition, choked by buckthorn, to a thriving, fully functional ecosystem that is driven and dependent on fire. Now this unique ecological community can thrive in the southwestern-facing sunshine, while supporting an array of rare plant and animal species. I contemplated the logistics and timeframe for completing restoration efforts on similar sites, since the majority of the goat prairies in the Driftless Area, along with associated oak savannas and woodlands, have become degraded in part because of altered fire regimes. I thought of the historic photos portraying a landscape where trees weren’t as abundant along the Mississippi River Valley. Those historic conditions were largely due to frequent landscape burning by Indigenous Peoples. As Indigenous Peoples were displaced by European Americans, Indigenous land stewardship practices like prescribed burning were also displaced. Fires were often viewed as harmful by European Americans, and woody vegetation increased greatly in the Driftless Area, including on Pleasant Bluff. With the increasing prevalence of woody vegetation, including invasive species such as buckthorn, we’re witnessing a correlated decline in health of rare plant communities and an overall decrease in plant diversity.
“It made me proud to be a part of such an ambitious chapter of like-minded, well-educated enthusiasts who are passionate about ecological restoration and conservation education.”
The Pleasant Bluff prescribed burn was just one example of how dedicated members of the Minnesota Driftless Chapter are eager to save ecosystems. Their tireless restoration work, outreach efforts and mentorship are also an inspiration for others. It made me proud to be part of such an ambitious chapter of like-minded, well-educated enthusiasts who are passionate about ecological restoration and conservation education.
I want to thank the Pleasant Bluff landowners, Paul and Melissa (Missy) Richards, for their ongoing involvement and enthusiasm for the restoration and management of Pleasant Bluff. Their commitment to conservation and stewardship of the beautiful bluff prairies, woodlands, and oak savannas on their Winona County property is exemplary. Missy summarizes the continual progress of their beloved prairie: “We have deep appreciation for all the collaborative work between The Prairie Enthusiasts volunteers, experts in the field, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Land Spirit Design Landscaping. We recognize and appreciate being a part of something so much bigger than us. It gives us the opportunity to showcase the importance and impact of land restoration to our neighbors, family and friends. The ability to have a community partner with us on this journey makes Pleasant Bluff so much better.”
You, too, can follow their inspirational journey on the Richards’ Instagram page (@pleasantbluff_winonamn). Since the burn last spring, with help from Gabe, the Richards have continued their brush management efforts to lessen the buckthorn pressure across additional areas on the bluff. They have also documented dozens of native wildflowers on the bluff and often find new species. We encourage you to follow the Minnesota Driftless Chapter Facebook page to learn what additional prescribed burns and restoration efforts will take place.
I’ll be thrilled for the opportunity to return to this unique and productive dry bluff prairie to work once again with our devoted chapter members and these dedicated landowners, and to observe the positive and dynamic changes to this ecological gem along the river. On behalf of the Minnesota Driftless Chapter, we hope you can come join us.
Nighttime prescribed burn mop-up. Photo by Joshua Lallaman.
This article appeared in the Spring 2024 edition of The Prairie Promoter, a publication of news, art and writing from The Prairie Enthusiasts community. Explore the full collection and learn how to submit your work here.