Concerned about brush, grass or forest fires where you live? Mary’s workshop will address firewise landscaping – learn how to create defensible space around your home to reduce a wildfire’s intensity and ability to spread. Although there are no “fireproof” plant species, where and how you plant can be more important than what species you use. Mary will provide information concerning what plant species are more fire resistant.
Mary has been interested in fire and fire effects since she was approximately 7. Having grown up in Iowa, she has always had her own garden plot, and has admitted to leaving a trail of flowering bulbs in the various locations where she has lived. Combining her love of fire and plants has led her on a path towards fire-safe and native landscaping.
Mary is currently employed as a Fire Ecologist with the US Forest Service and has worked for The Nature Conservancy and the National Park Service. She holds a master’s degree in Physical Geography, and a Ph.D. in Geoscience from the University of Iowa.
Mary will be one of eight workshops (participants can choose two of the eight)at KSB’s 33rd Annual Native Plant Workshop at the West Sedona School (570 Posse Ground Road) on Saturday, March 24. For more information and registration, please visit
https://www.keepsedonabeautiful.org/our-programs/native-plant-workshop