1. BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Fire is one of the most crucial components in the cycle of nature,
and often the most misunderstood.
The public is invited to hear Fire Expert Rodolfo Zuniga-Villegas explain about the
challenges and benefits of prescribing fire as part of restoring ecological processes at a
presentation titled “Burn Baby Burn!” on Thursday, April 7. The lecture is the second in the
Conservancy’s Science Talks lecture series held at the Cranbrook Institute of Science.
“Fire, like rain and sunshine, has been an important part of our environment for
thousands of years, shaping the very nature of life on Earth,” Villegas said. “From an ecological
perspective, naturally ignited fires and fires started by people that reinforce natural fire cycles,
are beneficial and life-sustaining in ecosystems that have evolved with fire.”
Villegas said that controlled fires are known to recycle unused nutrients, reduce invasive
plants and improve the overall quality of wildlife habitats. He cautioned, however, that adding
fire to the landscape is a carefully controlled process for which he has undergone years of
scientific and on-the-ground training.
Prescribed fires are performed in the early spring and fall months when the weather
conditions are right for burns to be conducted safely. Crews rotate between different areas each
year. The exact schedule for burns may vary depending on the fire crew’s budget and capacity,
but ideally, natural areas are burned every one to four years, Villegas said.
Villegas will show off his fire gear and equipment at the Meet the Scientist mixer starting
at 6:30 p.m. before the lecture begins at 7 p.m. At the mixer, guests may purchase our
special Burn Baby Burn! cocktail and enjoy light refreshments and appetizers. Following the
lecture, audience members can participate in a question and answer session with the featured
speaker.
To purchase tickets, please call Cranbrook at 248-645-3210. This downloadable
form may also be used for registration. Members of either The Nature Conservancy or
Cranbrook receive discounted pricing at $10 per lecture. For non-members, each lecture is $12.
Walk-ins are welcome; however, pre-registration is encouraged.
The next lecture will feature Dr. Dave Ewert, senior scientist at the Conservancy, telling
the story of North America’s rarest songbird in his presentation “Saving the Kirtland’s Warbler”
on May 5. For more information, visithttp://www.nature.org/sciencetalks.
The Nature Conservancy is a global non-profit organization committed to protecting the
lands and waters on which all life depends on. For more information,
visit http://www.nature.org/michigan.
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