St Croix Valley: Insects and Fire Talk
The Effects Of Fire On Prairie Insects In The Upper Midwest
Join us to hear Rich Henderson talk about fire and insects.
Fire is critical to the establishment and maintenance of high-quality prairie. There are many “prairie-dependent” insect species, some of which are now rare and some of those can be reduced by fire. Therefore, over the past 40 years, much research has been done on the effects of fire on insects in prairie. We have learned much, but there is still much yet to investigate. I will present an overview of what is known along with the specific findings of various research projects.
Bethel Lutheran Church
Highlands Campus: 504 Frontage Road, Hudson, WI 54016
February 23, 2024. 6-8pm
Moth Close-up by Wayne Hunhke
Our speaker: Rich Henderson
Rich has forty-five years of experience in natural area inventory, assessment, and management of prairie, sedge meadow, oak savanna, and oak woodland ecosystems. Research projects have included effects of the seasonal timing of fire on prairie plants, purple loosestrife ecology and control, prairie insect inventory and management, and effects of fire in oak woodlands.
Rich was an active volunteer with the Wisconsin Chapter of The Nature Conservancy land stewardship program 1975 to 2005, and The Prairie Enthusiasts land management program from 1992 to present. He served on the board of Wisconsin Chapter of The Nature Conservancy for 8 years. He also served on the board of The Prairie Enthusiasts from 1992 to present, including 5 years as president. He is currently the chair of the TPE Land Management Committee, vice chair of the Empire Sauk chapter, and a TPE board member.