September Program: Using Prescribed Fire to Manage Natural Areas in Ohio
Innis House (Inniswoods Metro Park) , 940 S. Hempstead Road, Westerville, OH Map
Public Welcome Free Event Program/Speaker Presentation Wheelchair Accessible Public Restroom Free Public Parking Drinking Fountains
Join us in September to learn about prescribed burning in Ohio!
Program description: Jennifer Windus, Vice-president of the Ohio Prescribed Fire Council (OPFC), will talk about the use of prescribed fire in Ohio's natural areas, primarily grasslands, savannas, and woodlands. While it is a land management tool used primarily by public and private agencies and organizations, private landowners may also use it on small prairies and Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands. Some natural areas are adapted to fire so the plants respond well to fire, while others do not. Conducting prescribed fire is a science and fire managers must be certified by the Ohio Division of Forestry (DOF). Jennifer will discuss fire ecology and the steps involved with planning and conducting prescribed fire.
Speaker bio: Jennifer Windus is currently the Vice-president of the Ohio Prescribed Fire Council (OPFC). She worked for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (primarily in Natural Areas & Preserves and Wildlife) for 31 years (1983-2014). Since retirement from ODNR, she has been involved in 4 non-profits, including OPFC and ONAPA (Ohio Natural Areas & Preserves Association). Both organizations promote the safe and responsible use of prescribed fire, providing training and some services on a limited number of natural areas in Ohio. Visit http://www.ohioprescribedfire.org/ for more information. Jennifer has also been an instructor for the DOF certified prescribed fire manager course since 2002.