Learn to burn natural areas safely at session

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County is offering Ecological Burn Training from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 29, for landowners and natural areas volunteers.

The morning classroom session will be at The Land Conservancy, 4506 S. Dean St., Woodstock.

The afternoon session will include a demonstration burn at a nearby natural area.

No previous experience is required.

The cost is $20 for conservancy members, or $35 for nonmembers, which includes a one-year membership and lunch.

Participants will learn how to safely conduct and control fire when it is used as a tool to manage prairies, woodlands and wetlands.

Controlled burns are used in natural areas to keep invasive species at a minimum, allowing native species to flourish.

Registration is required. Space is limited and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first served basis.

The registration form is available on the Web site at www.conservemc.org.

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County was founded in 1991 with a mission to work with private landowners, communities and developers to protect open space and natural resources in McHenry County.

For information, call The Land Conservancy at (815) 337-9502 or e-mail lbalek@conservemc.org.