This workshop, hosted by Joshua’s Trust, is designed for land trusts interested in using prescribed fire as a land management tool. This session will cover the fundamentals of why we burn, including the ecological benefits for habitat restoration, invasive species control, and biodiversity.

Participants will walk through the regulatory landscape, including permitting requirements, planning considerations, and safety protocols necessary to conduct burns responsibly and legally. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of how prescribed fire fits into long-term stewardship goals, along with practical insights from real-world applications.

The workshop will also include a hands-on equipment demonstration, giving participants a chance to see the tools used in prescribed fire operations. We will then visit a nearby site that is being prepared for a future burn to observe firebreaks and other key elements of site preparation in the field. This site recently received a Climate-Smart Land Stewardship grant through CLCC to help restore a fire-adapted habitat and to support ongoing prescribed fire implementation.

Agenda:

10:00 – 11:00 AM: Presentation & Q & A

11:00 – 11:30 AM: Equipment Demonstration

11:30 AM: Drive to Madeline Regan Preserve in Tolland

12:00 – 1:00 PM: Site visit to look at a future burn site and discuss fire breaks, implementation etc., and describe Joshua’s Trust’s climate-smart grant-funded project.