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with Mary Parr, Fire Ecologist and Conservation Associate for MNFI
This presentation will explore the past, present, and future of cultural fire stewardship practiced by the Anishinaabeg in Michigan. In Anishinaabemowin, Ishkode—or “fire”—is understood as a powerful spiritual being that brings renewal. The talk will examine the cultural intentions behind Anishinaabeg fire practices across generations, and discuss the ecological role of fire in fire-dependent natural communities and the ways it supports plant and animal relatives. The presentation will also highlight the ongoing efforts of the Michigan Natural Features Inventory and its collaborations with Tribal governments, universities, and state and federal agencies to document Indigenous fire histories and incorporate this knowledge into prescribed fire planning and support opportunities for co-stewardship.
Mary Parr is a fire ecologist and Conservation Associate for the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Mary has expertise in fire-dependent natural communities and the strategic use of prescribed fire to enhance biodiversity and support critical habitat for fire-adapted rare and endangered species. Raised in southwest Michigan, Mary developed an early passion for plants and the ecology of natural systems. She earned her BS in Natural Resource Management from Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and spent her early career in the Great Plains and Midwest, where she honed her knowledge in large-scale prescribed fire, grassland management, and long-term ecological monitoring. In 2020, she returned to southwest Michigan as a land manager at a biological field station, where she spent four years overseeing conservation projects, leading prescribed fire operations, mentoring undergraduate students, and advancing the protection of rare and endangered species. During this time, she also earned an MS in Biology from GVSU, studying the impact of prescribed fire seasonality on plant composition in restored tallgrass prairies. Mary is a passionate educator, frequently delivering presentations on the intricacies of fire-dependent ecosystems and promoting the relevance of Indigenous Knowledge in natural resource management. She is a proud member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians (Ojibwa) and an active participant in the Michigan Prescribed Fire Council.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Portage District Library, 300 Library Ln, Portage, MI 49002-4303, United States
