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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