Rooted in Illinois: History of Fire

Rooted in Illinois: The History of Fire and How It Shaped Illinois

Sunday, February 22 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM | FREE

Discover the hidden force that shaped Illinois into what it is today. From ancient prairies to modern conservation efforts, fire has been at the center of our landscape's story—and this program reveals why it still matters.

What You'll Learn

Illinois has an incredibly rich natural history, shaped by a combination of biological and non-biological forces. But fire sits at the crossroads of it all. In this fascinating presentation, you'll explore how fire—both as a natural occurrence and as a human tool—has been one of the most influential factors in creating the Illinois landscape we know today.

This program traces fire's role from prehistoric times through the Industrial Revolution and into modern conservation practices. You'll discover:

• How natural fire cycles created Illinois's famous prairie soils

• The way Indigenous peoples used fire to shape the landscape

• How European settlement and fire suppression changed everything

• Why the absence of fire transformed prairies into forests

• The critical role fire plays in maintaining the natural areas we have left today

Why This Matters Now

Understanding fire's historical role helps us make better decisions about conservation and land management today. As we work to preserve and restore Illinois's remaining prairies, wetlands, and natural areas, fire management has become an essential tool—one rooted in thousands of years of ecological history.

About Your Presenter

Karla Griesbaum is an Illinois Extension Educator in Natural Resources, Environment, and Energy serving Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, and Vermilion Counties. With a bachelor's degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science and a master's in Plant Biology from the University of Illinois, Karla brings deep scientific expertise to accessible community education.

Her work focuses on land stewardship, climate change mitigation, natural areas restoration and management, and science communication. Previously a Conservation Planner for the Department of Agriculture, Karla has hands-on experience implementing conservation strategies for local landowners. She has volunteered with the Land Conservation Foundation and The Nature Conservancy, and is passionate about connecting people with the natural world.

Karla's specialties include soil ecology, conservation, regenerative agriculture, and resource sustainability—making her uniquely qualified to tell the story of fire's complex role in shaping our landscape.

Who This Program Is For

• Nature enthusiasts and conservation-minded community members

• Landowners interested in prairie restoration or land management

• Gardeners curious about native ecosystems

• History buffs who love local environmental stories

• Anyone who wants to understand Illinois's natural heritage

• Students and educators

• Families looking for educational weekend activities

Event Details

What to Expect: An engaging presentation with historical context, ecological insights, and connections to current conservation work

Format: Educational presentation with time for questions

Age: All ages welcome

What to Bring: Just your curiosity

Location: Prairie Fruits Farm Classroom4410 N Lincoln Ave, Champaign, IL

Admission: FREE

Part of our Rooted in Illinois educational series, presented in partnership with Illinois Extension.