HLFM Land Trust Restoration and Management Techniques and the Expansion of the Prescribed Burn Program

Join us at the Museum to learn more about how we propose to employ the use of controlled (“prescribed”) burning within the HLFM Land Trust. At this community event, Land Trust staff will explain the role of fire as a management technique and the reasons it can be an effective part of responsible land stewardship. Staff will also review the safety measures and protocols followed before, during, and after a controlled burn. They will be joined by Fishers Island Fire Department Chief Chris Aiello and burn experts Bob Panko and Bill Edwards, who have assisted with past burns at Middle Farms and will assist with future burns at new sites. When: Tuesday, August 11, 2026 Time: 5:00–6:00 pm (please note later time than our usual talks) Place: In-person at the Museum, 2nd floor and virtual, via zoom Join Zoom Webinar The HLFM Land Trust consists of nearly 400 acres of conserved land on Fishers Island. Within the Land Trust, the Museum has managed the Middle Farms grassland with controlled burns for decades, helping maintain open grassland habitat, reduce wildfire risk, return nutrients to the soil, support native plants and wildflowers, manage certain pests, and improve habitat for wildlife. This fall, the Museum plans to pilot the use of fire on additional Land Trust sites. Prescribed burn at Middle Farms by Fishers Island Fire Department, March 2025. Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83806149200?pwd=CWRljyXc1YqlCbo76VtUExa3f141HX.1 Meeting chat link https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/83806149200 Meeting ID: 838 0614 9200 Passcode: 908340 — One tap mobile +16465588656,,83806149200# US (New York) +16469313860,,83806149200# US — Join by SIP • [email protected] Join instructions https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/83806149200/invitations?signature=ldsVWhTtsH9GlizZT_ImrnTbELY2XZVQVepKMigbI1E