Prescribed fire is an essential tool in savanna and woodland management. A typical Ozark woodland includes a canopy of oaks, an open understory and dense ground cover. A blue-gray gnatcatcher perches near purple prairie clover, and indicator plant of good quality savanna. Post oaks, like this specimen at Henning Conservation Area are signature trees of savannas and woodlands. Six-lined racerunners are among the many species of wildlife inhabiting savannas and woodlands.
Field sparrows visit the brush areas of a savanna.
The original habitat of the eastern bluebird, was savannas, whose oaks provided abundant nesting cavities. Woodlands contain delightful wildflowers, such as pale purple coneflower, white wild quinine, and royal catchfly. Visitors to a savanna my spot an iridescent indigo bunting. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of the Missouri Dept. of Conservation is prohibited.