News Briefs Week Of 11/15/2021

Prescribed burning
planned at refuge
Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is entering its fall prescribed fire season, which typically runs now through Dec. 1.
During this time, smoke may be visible above refuge properties throughout Ottawa and Lucas counties.
Prescribed burning on the refuge is conducted to improve wildlife habitat and reduce the accumulation of fuels that lead to uncontrolled wildfires. Ottawa NWR has historically treated between 100 and 800 acres annually with prescribed fire. A prescribed fire during this time period is especially productive for habitat management and brush control.
Refuge officials have informed local officials of planned management actions. Prescribed fire will only be conducted when conditions allow for safe implementation.
Direct questions concerning the prescribed fire season to Refuge Manager Jason Lewis or Private Lands Biologist Jeff Finn at 419-898-0014.

Terra State
Preview Day
Terra State Community College will host a Preview Day Friday, Nov. 19, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Student Activities Center on Terra State’s Fremont campus. The event is free and open to the public. Masks are required, and guests can park in the General Technologies Building (Building B) parking lot and enter the Student Activities Center (Building C).
During Preview Day, prospective students can tour the campus, including The Landings residence halls; attend sessions to learn about each academic division; meet with current students and talk to the admissions and financial aid teams. Each person will also receive a free lunch.
The schedule includes:
• 9 a.m. – Check-in, Building C Lobby.
• 9:20 a.m. – Tour (optional for early check-in), Building C Lobby.
• 10 a.m. – Welcome, Student Activities Center.
• 10:30 a.m. – Session A, Building D classrooms.
• 11:15 a.m. – Session B, Building D classrooms.
• 12 p.m. – Lunch with Admissions/Faculty Presentation, Student Activities Center.
• 1 p.m. – Event conclusion.
For more information, contact Kyleigh Lash at klash01@terra.edu. To register, visit Terra.edu/PreviewDay.

Historical society
inviting members
The Catawba Island Historical Society’s 2022 membership campaign is under way.
The organization’s activities bounced back significantly after being severely curtailed by the COVID crisis in 2020. The museum’s mid-May to mid-October operating season saw an increase to 843 visitors in 2021, up 53% from last year. Additionally, the society restarted its speaker’s program with a presentation last month about President Rutherford B. Hayes.
“We remain vigilant,” said CIHS President, Craig Koerpel. “Nevertheless, we are hopeful the worst of the pandemic is behind us and look forward to doing an even bigger and better job in 2022.”
“Our board made a policy decision not to charge admission for either the museum or the speaker presentations,” said Koerpel. “We did not want to build a financial barrier between people and their history. The historical society depends heavily instead, upon membership dues for its operating income.”
The museum is located in the iconic 1888 Union Chapel on E. Porter Street at the north end of Catawba Island.
Two levels of annual Historical Society membership are available – the Historian level at $25 and Curator level at $100 per year. A lifetime subscription to the Society’s Council of Nabagon can also be acquired for a one-time investment of $1,000.
Call 419-967-5363 or visit catawbaislandhistoricalsociety.com for more details.