BEATRICE -  The Homestead National Historical Park is gearing up for a planned burn of a portion of the park property…..a regular exercise to allow native plants to regenerate.

The first period in which favorable and safe weather conditions exist, the burn will take place sometime between now and May 1st.  A team of National Park Service employees, local firefighters and federal agency fire personnel will conduct the burn in woodland areas and the prairie around the Freeman School.

The woodland area to be burned is in the southwest area of the park.  In all, about 60 acres will be burned.

Homestead Resource Management Specialist Jesse Bolli says fire in the woodland area can aid plant diversity and overall health of the woodlands.

The park’s trail system may be closed temporarily when the burn takes place.  Park visitors will be able to observe the exercise from the Heritage Center, near the east boundary.