Sexton Ennett Design Spotlights a Controlled Burn for the Rare Karner Blue Butterfly’s New Habitat

Carleton, Michigan - Sexton Ennett Design’s Kimberley Ennett, MLA, ASLA, a Michigan Registered Landscape Architect, spotlighted the importance of a controlled burn to improve open land ecosystems. One excellent example is the recently prescribed burn targeted at preparing a thriving habitat for the Detroit Zoo’s introduction of the rare Karner Blue Butterflies.

The Detroit Zoo is part of the Karner Blue Butterfly Working group that is attempting to reestablish the butterfly that once was found from New England to Minnesota. Unfortunately, the loss of its very fragile oak savannah habitat has resulted in wild populations of the butterfly becoming extinct in most of their former habitats.

The loss of the fragile savannah habitat has resulted from increased land development and suppression of fires. Formerly, natural fires, including “controlled burns”, resulted in open fields with sun filled stands of fire resistant oaks and pines. These elements are vital to the butterfly habitat. Full sun exposure is required to nurture the Nectar plants and Lupine that sustain the butterfly.

The Karner Blue Butterfly Working Group was established to better understand the butterflies’ ecological needs and carry out the Karner Blue Butterfly Michigan Recovery Implementation Plan. The Detroit Zoo, along with several federal, state and local groups, form the organization.

The Petersburg State Game Area in Monroe County is one of the areas where the butterfly once thrived until 1986, and is included in the Recovery Plan. Specific locations within the game area are designated to be managed for reintroduction of the Karner Blue. Prescribed burns, selective weeding, seed collection, planting and assessment will be part of the intense management methods.

But, what is a controlled burn and how does it benefit open acreage with a variety of grasses and wildflowers? A controlled burn is a supervised and deliberate setting of fire to open acreage as a means of managing the open ecosystem. If this is not done, the areas can become overgrown with trees and shrubs that can kill the grasses and wildflowers through succession.

The benefits of a controlled burn are many: soil is enriched by the burn, harmful weeds and invading woody plants are killed, dead leaves and dried organic matter are removed, and new growth emerges. The elimination of dry dead material also minimizes the possibility of uncontrolled fires. A burn is typically conducted every two or three years.

During the burn, most animals avoid the fire by moving from the area or retreating into burrows. There is typically minimal harm done to animals. As a matter of fact most animals benefit as the controlled burn enhances their habitat. In the case of wetlands, nesting waterfowl can be protected by burning in autumn. In any case, as a precaution, the area to be burned should be walked to assure animal protection.

Permits are usually required before a controlled burn can be initiated. These typically involve the city and the fire department. Police and adjoining property owners are also notified.

Safety is paramount when conducting a controlled burn. A plan should be developed and approved to assure safety. Among other things, the plan should specify the required weather conditions, wind direction/speed, temperature/humidity, the number of burn crewmembers, and the fire and safety equipment that will be on hand. It is important the crew know how to monitor and control the burn.

Controlled burns typical enlist the services of State Registered Landscape Architects to assist in this process. Landscape Architects can help develop burn plans and assist in obtaining the necessary permits.

Landscape Architects are required to be licensed by the State in which they practice and are usually members of the American Society of Landscape Architects, ASLA. Landscape architecture encompasses the analysis, planning, design, management and stewardship of the natural and built environments.

ASLA full members have graduated from an accredited landscape architecture program, have 7 years of education and/or professional experience and are state licensed. In Michigan, as well as all other States, successful completion of the three (3) day LARE examination administered by the Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards is required for state licensure.

For more information on controlled burns, regulations, and permits, contact Sexton Ennett Design. They are a full service landscape architectural firm providing residential, commercial and recreational landscape designs in East Michigan and Northern Ohio. They have been active in designing and providing project management services for small-scale properties to upscale and distinctive estate landscapes.


SED can design a wide range of landscape architectural themes from traditional to formal to oriental to equestrian, to name a few. The firm can provide a turnkey
solution by providing project management services for the complete landscape design and installation. This has been a welcome solution for developers, both residential and commercial, as well as homeowners.

Kimberley Ennett is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture and is a Michigan Registered Landscape Architect.
For more information see: http://www.sexton-ennett.com

Ms. Ennett is also a breeder of champion Oldenburg sport horses and is well qualified for landscaping equestrian residences and facilities.


For more information see: http://www.markimfarms.com



Member: ASLA, American Society of Landscape Architects and the MNLA, Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association.

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Web Site: http://www.sexton-ennett.com

Contact Details:
Sexton Ennett Design, LC
5310 O’Hara Road
Carleton, MI 48117
Tel: 734-755-5467
Fax: 734-587-8914