Southern Illinois prescribed fire training day

SIMPSON, Ill. — The Southern Illinois Prescribed Burn Association and the University of Illinois Extension Forestry Program invite you to a free prescribed fire training day from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 25 at the Dixon Springs Agricultural Center, 354 State Highway 145 N, Simpson.

The training will cover firebreak design and creation, pre-fire walk-throughs, and hazard trees and snag assessments. If the weather cooperates, there will be a live fire demonstration.

Attendees should dress for the weather, bring snacks and a drink, and maintain proper social distancing.

To RSVP for this event, contact Extension Forester Chris Evans at cwevans@illinois.edu.

Color of Autumn program

WATERLOO, Ill. — The program Color of Autumn will be at 9 a.m. Sept. 25 at the Monroe County Annex, 901 Illinois Ave., Waterloo, and include three different presentations:

• A Year In My Jungle, with Extension Educator Elizabeth Wahle. Wahle will be showcasing some of her favorite plants and what grows well locally.

• Forcing Bulbs in the Fall, with Lisa Dean and Ann Glosecki, Extension master gardeners/master naturalists.

• Intro to Organic/No-Till Gardening, with Keith Jones of Feather’s Farm.

Cost is $10. Register at tinyurl.com/yvh3fc63.

For more information, contact Mary Kay Rahn at 618-939-3434 or mkrahn@illinois.edu.

Illinois 4-H Shotgun State Shoot

BUNKER HILL, Ill. — The 2021 Illinois 4-H Shotgun State Shoot will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 25 at Brittany Shooting Park, 11374 Prairie Dell Road, Bunker Hill.

Participants must be 13 to 18 years old on Sept. 1, 2021, and be enrolled in a 4-H Shooting Sports Club to be eligible for the competition.

For more information, visit go.illinois.edu/4hshotgun.

Climate change in your backyard

The climate of Illinois is changing rapidly. There have been strong trends towards more heavy rains and warmer temperatures throughout the year. The program Climate Change in My Backyard will explore the patterns and impacts of climate change on gardening in central Illinois and how Illinois gardeners can plant to deal with these changes.

The online program will be at 7 p.m. Sept. 28, and will be presented by University of Illinois Extension and Champaign County master gardeners, with Dr. Jim Angel, climatatologist with the Illinois State Water Survey. Register at tinyurl.com/yv2bttx8.

This presentation will be recorded and, once edited, made available on the YouTube channel at go.illinois.edu/ccmgYouTube.

Rainscaping training

Master gardeners, members of conservation agencies and organizations, stormwater professionals, and landscape architects and consultants in Effingham County and surrounding areas can learn landscape design and management practices that reduce pollution from runoff at a workshop hosted by University of Illinois Extension and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant. The workshop will take place in a hybrid format, including four sessions online via Zoom and one in-person plant day.

“Landscapes with rainscaping capture rainwater and allow it to soak in the ground, which improves the health of our local lakes, streams, and rivers.” said Eliana Brown, a water quality Extension specialist with Illinois Extension and Illinois Indiana Sea Grant. “The Rainscaping Education Program teaches participants how to promote community awareness and education for these important practices.”

Over the course of four 2 1/2-hour training sessions and educational service opportunities, participants will learn how to site, design, construct, and maintain a rain garden. Workshops include flipped classroom instruction through online training modules and experimental activities:

• Session 1: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 28, via Zoom.

• Session 2: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 30, via Zoom.

• Session 3: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5, via Zoom.

• Session 4: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 7, via Zoom.

• Session 5: 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 9 at the Effingham County Extension office, 1209 Wenthe Drive, Effingham.

Participants also will create a demonstration rain garden in a public space with community partners. A certificate of completion will be awarded to those who attend all sessions.

Cost is $10. Register at tinyurl.com/44nstykz.

Succulent pumpkin planter workshop

HILLSBORO, Ill. — The DIY Succulent Pumpkin Planter Workshop will be at 2 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Montgomery County Extension office, #1 Industrial Park Drive, Hillsboro.

Join Andrew Holsinger, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator, as he shares techniques to create a succulent pumpkin centerpiece.

Cost is $20. Register at tinyurl.com/2u3pmdzh.

Preserving seasonal produce

OGLESBY, Ill. — Pumpkins, beets, broccoli, squash, and potatoes are ready for harvest.

Join Susan Glassman, Extension nutrition & wellness educator, and learn about seasonal fall vegetables and safe food preservation methods from 5 to 6 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Oglesby Public Library, 111 S. Woodland Ave., Oglesby.

Canning, freezing, dehydrating, curing, and storing will be covered. Resources and recipes will be provided.

Call the Oglesby Public Library at 815-883-3619 to register.