The 396-acre Baldwin Woods Forest Preserve is one of the best remaining examples of eastern deciduous forest in Kansas. The Forest Preserve includes the 80-acre Rice Woodland, a fire-dependent forest shaped by both ecological processes and human care.

After years of planning, prescribed fire was reintroduced to the Rice Woodland in November 2023 in collaboration with the Kansas Forest Service. Building on the excitement surrounding the reintroduction of fire, Sheena Parsons, KU Field Station manager, saw an opportunity to connect science-informed stewardship and education. Providing access to the woods gives people the chance to experience the impact of woodland burns firsthand and promotes a broader understanding of the role fire plays in Kansas landscapes.

In 2024, support from the Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council made it possible to begin development of the first public access trail. The trail also serves as a permanent firebreak to support sustained fire stewardship.

The…