Dr. Jon Keeley, research ecologist with the US Geological Survey at Sequoia-Kings Canyon, and adjunct professor of the University of California, Los Angeles' Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, will present the lecture from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 2.

We always hear that many of California's plant communities are "fire prone" or "fire dependent." We also hear that fire suppression has resulted in bigger and hotter fires than those which occurred prior to the 20th century. But are these statements true, and if so what does this really mean?

California, let alone the Lake County region, has many different plant communities, and how they and their component species respond to fire might be highly variable. How can we understand what the natural fire cycle of plant communities is? And what should we expect when a fire occurs, and in the years following a fire? Are some plant communities more likely than others to burn frequently, and can or should any be managed to reduce frequency and intensity of burning? And what about the rash of very large "megafires" that California has experienced in the last decade?

This talk will help answer some of these questions, and sort out the relative roles of past land management practices and climate in the recent rash of unusually large fires.

Dr. Keeley has been studying the ecology and management of fire for 37 years. His work has concentrated on understanding how individual plant species, plant communities and ecosystems respond to fire, and how fire frequency and behavior differs both between plant communities and over time. Attend the lecture to learn more about the interaction between fire and California's wild-lands.

The lecture will be followed by a mini field trip from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. The field trip is optional and tentative, and will be held depending on enrollment. If you wish to go on the mini-field trip, please let the reserve know in advance, bring a water bottle, and wear a sun hat and sturdy shoes.

There is no charge, but attendees must RSVP. To register for the lecture, please call 995-9005.