2022 Illinois Prescribed Fire Council Symposium

The 2022 Illinois Prescribed Fire Council Symposium will be held on May 4-5, 2022 at Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center, located in scenic Starved Rock State Park--voted the #1 outdoor attraction in the State of Illinois!

The Symposium will feature a full day of presentations, with a second day of field trips to several local fire management sites, led by biologists from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Natural Heritage. The Illinois Prescribed Fire Council Symposium brings together professional biologists, land managers, and fire operations specialists to collaborate and exchange ideas that advance the strategic use of prescribed fire in Illinois. The Symposium will feature presentations on the latest fire science research, technologies, law, and more.

The event is open to the public, and offers an opportunity to network and strengthen connections across states, agencies, and disciplines.

Save the date, and check back soon for a list of confirmed speakers!

• Thursday, May 5, 2022 | 8 am – 4 pm --> Keynote & Speaker sessions (with a catered lunch)

• Wednesday, May 4, 2022 | 1 pm – 5 pm --> Field Trip to Starved Rock State Park

Early Registration Deadline: May 4, 2022

Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center

One Lodge Lane, Oglesby, IL 61348 (GPS: 41.3191202, -88.996302)

NOTE: The Lodge & Park are located east of the intersection of Routes 178 & 71 near Utica, IL. Access to Lodge Lane is off of the east side of E 875th Road.

Featuring seasonal waterfalls and canyons, Starved Rock Lodge is steps away from over 13 miles of hiking trails overlooking the Illinois River Valley. Located approximately 2 hours outside of downtown Chicago, Starved Rock Lodge offers several on-site restaurants and lounges, with convenient access to the neighboring towns of Ottawa and Peru.

Early Registration - $75

Walk-up Registration (at the event)* - $100

Student Rate** - $35 (see below; must contact the IPFC for pre-approval)

*Walk-up registrations can be purchased at the door for an additional $25 fee above the early registration rate, per ticket. Tickets purchased online prior to the early registration deadline will be charged at the discounted rate. Please note that due to catering totals being required in advance, same day registrations will NOT include a lunch. However, a restaurant and other meals options are available onsite.

**To qualify for the student rate, you must be currently enrolled in school (i.e. high school, undergraduate college/university program). You must email [email protected] with a copy of your student ID or provide other proof of enrollment prior to registration--you will then be provided a promo code to unlock your discounted rate. Includes admission, lunch, and access to field trip on May 4th.

Please download the Eventbrite app or print your ticket to expedite the check-in process.

Have some extra time? Join us the day before the 2022 IPFC Symposium on Wednesday, May 4th, 2022 for a field trip at scenic Starved Rock State Park, led by biologists from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Natural Heritage. On the tour, we’ll visit several natural areas which have recently benefitted from the application of prescribed fire, including at least one unit which has had recent largescale stewardship work to control exotic shrubs. Be prepared to hike off-trail, on uneven terrain.

The tour departs from the Starved Rock Lodge parking lot at 1 p.m. on May 4th.

After the tour, attendees are also invited to dinner and drinks back at the Starved Rock Lodge restaurant and lounge. Note: We’ll provide the company, but guests must pay for their own meals/drinks!

Overnight accommodations are available onsite through the Starved Rock Lodge and Conference Center. Attendees can choose to room in the historic lodge or hotel wing, or reserve a freestanding log cabin located on the grounds.

There are no special event rates, and reservations are managed directly through the Starved Rock Lodge.

To check availability, please see https://www.starvedrocklodge.com/lodging/lodging/ or call 815-667-4211.

The Illinois Prescribed Fire Council Symposium will be run in accordance with state, local, and venue mandates. Requirements may be updated periodically based on the most current COVID-19 guidelines and recommendations from health authorities. Registrants will be notified via email of any major developments as the event date approaches.

FACE MASKS

• Per state mandate, all attendees, partners, and exhibitors are required to wear face masks while indoors regardless of immunization status. This includes on the trade show floor and during educational sessions. Starved Rock Lodge is a state facility, and the IPFC must therefore comply with the policies deemed appropriate by the state, including requiring face coverings.

BEFORE YOU ARRIVE

• Are you symptom-free? If you feel sick, please stay home. Use the CDC’s COVID-19 Self-Checker guide to learn more about symptoms and to complete your self-assessment. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/coronavirus-self-checker.html.

DURING THE SYMPOSIUM

• Please wear your face mask whenever you’re not immediately eating or drinking. Masks should be worn correctly, with your nose and mouth completely covered.

• Please follow all recommended Health & Safety Measures including washing your hands often, covering your cough or sneeze, and staying home if you are sick. Hand sanitizer will be available at the registration station for your use.

WHAT IF I CANCEL BECAUSE I FEEL SICK OR I GET SICK?

• Attendees can take advantage of our no-questions-asked refund policy, so there is no need to worry! You can request a refund through the confirmation email you received from Eventbrite when you registered, or by contacting the IPFC directly.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE EVENT GETS CANCELLED DUE TO STATE EMERGENCY ORDER?

• The IPFC will be closely monitoring the status of all health and safety requirements as it relates to indoor events. Should the in-person event be cancelled due to state mandate, the Symposium will be shifted to a virtual format using an online web conferencing platform.

What does my registration include?

Entry to all sessions and the exhibition hall

Breakfast snacks and catered lunch

Access to the guided field trip on May 4, 2022

Is my registration transferable?

Yes. If you are unable to attend, you can transfer your registration to someone else. Just email [email protected]

Can I cancel my registration?

Yes. You can request a refund through the confirmation email you received from Eventbrite at time of registration, or by contacting the IPFC directly.

Can I register at the door?

Yes. Walk-up registrations can be purchased at the door for an additional $25 fee, per ticket. However, we encourage you to register in advance (especially if you need a printed receipt to document travel expenses or reimbursement!).

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Find out more: https://www.illinoisprescribedfirecouncil.org/

Host or Publisher Illinois Prescribed Fire Council