The south-facing slope of Nithi Mountain is an important grassland ecosystem that is being encroached by aspen. While this location has been burned in the past, the fire doesn’t affect the large mature aspen. Downing these trees serves to open up the grassland as well as providing fuel to carry the fire. Objective: Down encroaching mature aspen in preparation for burning to maintain an open grassland ecosystem on the south-facing slopes of Nithi Mountain.