Intentionally burning fire-prone habitats, such as forest, savannah, and grassland, is a critically important tool for land managers to improve habitat, control weeds, promote ecosystem health, and reduce risks of catastrophic fires. In this symposium, international experts in fire ecology will examine the history of natural fires, current fire research, and future trends in fire-maintained ecosystems as diverse as Wisconsin sand plains, Minnesota grasslands, boreal and western forests, and Florida sand pine scrubs. We will synthesize these diverse perspectives to gain insight into improving local and regional prescribed burning practices.

The symposium will be held in the Grainger Gallery of the Plant Conservation Science Center at the Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe, IL.

Guest Speakers include Eric Menges, Sara Hotchkiss, Michael Stambaugh, Eric Toman, Matthew Hurteau, Peter Reich, and Scott Collins.