For Immediate Release

 What:  Landowner Fire Ecology Workshop 
When:  Saturday, March 8, 2003            
             0800 – 1700 
Where:  Hitchcock Nature Center             
             27792 Ski Hill Loop             
             Honey Creek, IA 51542 

Registration:  (712) 545-3283 

Hitchcock Nature Center will cooperate with the Loess Hills Alliance to host 
a Landowner Fire Ecology Workshop this spring.  Landowners and Volunteer Fire 
Fighters are invited to attend this one day training session.  The workshop 
is intended to teach and demonstrate the principles of conducting safe and 
effective prescribed burns for the purpose of restoring native grasslands in 
the Loess Hills.  The morning session is filled with classroom instruction on 
fire ecology, fire weather, fire behavior, and planning and conducting 
prescribed fire.  The afternoon will consist of a demonstration burn in which 
the participants will gain on-the-ground experience working alongside 
experienced fire personnel.  Additionally, instructors will be available for 
one-on-one interaction so that participants may seek specific guidance for 
their own property.   

The workshop will be conducted on Saturday, March 8th at Hitchcock Nature 
Center.  Participants are asked to arrive by 0800 and wear natural fiber 
clothing (i.e. cotton or wool), long sleeves, leather boots, and leather 
gloves.  Cost for the class is $15/person payable at the door.  

Registration is required.  Participants must bring their own lunch and 
drinking water and be prepared to work in the field.  In the event that 
weather does not permit the afternoon burn, students are asked to bring 
aerial photos of their property so they can discuss fire techniques specific 
to their property with the instructors. 

Hitchcock Nature Center is located 5 miles north of Crescent off of Highway 
183.  For additional information contact Hitchcock Nature Center at (712) 
545-3283.  www.pottcoconservation.com  

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Chad Graeve - Park Ranger/Land Manager
Hitchcock Nature Center
27792 Ski Hill Loop
Honey Creek, IA 51542
(712) 545-3283
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Erin E. Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
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