Over 80% of Iowa was once covered by prairie, but now less than 0.1% remains. The Washington County Conservation Board is hosting a program Friday about establishing prairies on private property. County staff will teach attendees how to establish a prairie including ground preparation, seed mixes, purpose of plugs, planting, maintenance and the role of controlled burns. Following the program, the maintenance burn of the south prairie at Marr Park will be done. The fire helps control weeds, eliminate woody growth, burn off dead thatch, open the ground for wildlife, and encourage prairie seed production.

The establishing a prairie program will be held ta 7 p.m. in the Marr Park conservation center and the burn will be at 7:30 p.m. next to the center. Marr Park is seven miles east of Washington on Highway 92.