The History of Fire and How It Shaped Illinois
Schedule
Sun Feb 22 2026 at 01:00 pm to 02:30 pm
UTC-06:00Location
4410 North Lincoln Avenue, Champaign, IL, United States, Illinois 61822 | Champaign, IL
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The History of Fire and How It Shaped IllinoisSaturday, Feb 22 | 1:00 - 2:30 PM | FREE
Ever wonder why Illinois looks the way it does? The answer is fire.
Join Karla Griesbaum from Illinois Extension for a fascinating look at the hidden force that shaped our landscape—from ancient prairies to modern conservation.
What You'll Discover:
How natural fire cycles created Illinois's famous rich soils
The way Indigenous peoples used fire as a landscape tool
How fire suppression after European settlement changed everything
Why the absence of fire turned prairies into forests
The critical role fire plays in maintaining natural areas today
About Karla: Environmental and Energy Stewardship Educator with Illinois Extension. M.S. in Plant Biology from U of I, former Conservation Planner with USDA, specializes in land stewardship, natural areas restoration, and soil ecology. Passionate about connecting people with nature and making science accessible.
Perfect for:
-Nature lovers & conservation-minded folks
-Landowners interested in prairie restoration
-Gardeners curious about native ecosystems
-Local history buffs
-Families looking for educational activities
-Anyone who wants to understand Illinois's natural heritage
What to Expect: Engaging presentation tracing fire's role from prehistoric times through today, with time for Q&A
All ages welcome 👨👩👧👦
📍 Prairie Fruits Farm Classroom, 4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign
FREE admission
Presented in partnership with Illinois Extension
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Where is it happening?
4410 North Lincoln Avenue, Champaign, IL, United States, Illinois 61822Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
