Austin College students enrolled in a Prairie Restoration class during January Term participated in a prescribed prairie fire on January 23, with the purpose of restoring the ecosystem of the College’s Clinton and Edith Sneed Environmental Research Area, located outside of Sherman.
Also known as Sneed Prairie, the 100-acre tract of land was donated to the College by the Sneeds in 1984 for long-term study of prairie restoration and other biological subjects. The area is within the historic range of the Blackland Prairie that stretched from San Antonio to the Red River, almost all of which has been lost.
“People came to this part of Texas because of the prairies. First Native Americans followed bison that were attracted to the grass, then ranchers’ cattle ate the grass, then cotton farmers plowed the fertile soil that developed under the prairie grasses and wildflowers,” said Dr. Peter Schulze, professor of biology and environmental sciences, and director of the Center for Environmental Studies. “We set fires because we think it’s one of the best things we can do to help the prairie recover. Grass fires suppress trees and stimulate the growth of native, perennial grasses.”
The students in the January Term class learned about the history and ecology of the Blackland Prairie and were required to study and master procedures before being eligible to participate in the burn. All students wore fire-retardant clothing, and professional firefighters stood by in case of emergency. These are just a few of the safety precautions involved in setting prescribed fires.
“I expect the students to gain an appreciation for why anyone would want to restore an ecosystem, some knowledge of how to restore an ecosystem, and some experience working to restore an ecosystem,” Schulze said.
Austin College, a private national liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas, has earned a reputation for excellence in academic preparation, international study, pre-professional foundations, leadership development, committed faculty, and hands-on, adventurous learning opportunities. One of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives, Austin College boasts a welcoming community that embraces diversity and individuality, with more than 40 percent of students representing ethnic minorities. A residential student body of approximately 1,275 students and a faculty of more than 100 allow a 13:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention. The College is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and cultivates an inclusive atmosphere that supports students’ faith journeys regardless of religious tradition. Founded in 1849, the College is the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original name and charter.