Native Warm Season Grasses for Quail Habitat

At our last meeting, I briefly described my personal experience with the Virginia Quail Action plan, a comprehensive plan to reverse the declining numbers of Northern bobwhite quail in Virginia by addressing habitat loss and degradation. Here is a bit more detail along with some photos.

The establishment process started more than a year ago, the fall prior to planting.  The existing cover of fescue was bush-hogged in mid September, just as the hot summer temperatures were starting to subside.  In early October, once the fescue had added several inches of lush regrowth, the field was treated with herbicide (32 ounces of glyphosate per acre).  Our goal was to eliminate the fescue sod and create some bare soil for sowing the native warm season grasses in the following spring.

The following April produced the results of our herbicide treatment.  As the neighboring fescue fields turned bright green, our field stayed brown, and a quick evaluation with a shovel indicated that the kill had gone clear to the roots.  A controlled burn (after 4pm to comply with Virginia’s 4pm Burn Law) in late April cleaned off the remaining thatch, leaving a seedbed nearly ready for planting.  A second herbicide treatment (12 ounces of imazypic and 16 ounces of glyphosate per acre) in early May was applied to help eliminate any other vegetation and ensure successful establishment of the native warm season grasses.

Brown: fescue sod treated the previous fall with glyphosate

Green: untreated fescue sod greening up

Black: controlled burn the remove fescue thatch

There are nearly a dozen native warm season grasses that a Virginia landowner could choose to provide beneficial habitat for bobwhite quail—we chose Big Bluestem and Indiangrass. The seed was planted in late May, using a special no-till drill designed to accomodate the fluffy seed.  The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries provided technical assistance.

Once the planting was complete, the waiting process was slow, and my patience was tested.  Despite several long periods without rain, we were fortunate to receive adequate moisture to successfully germinate the stand.  At first, very little top growth as evident, as these seedlings invested their energy in abundant root growth (a physiological feature that helps them resist drought).  In late August, seemingly overnight, the native warm season grasses made significant upward growth, and some of the tallest Big Bluestem and Indiangrass seedheads eventually measured in excess of 6 feet tall. 

Several weeks after planting

After one growing season (Fall 2010)

(It should be noted that these results are not typical, and that many native warm season grass plantings may take two to three growing seasons to achieve the same results.)

Our experience with the incentives offered by Virginia’s Quail Action Plan was positive.  As this stand of native warm season grasses becomes fully established, we have the option to use this forage for grazing or for hay, provided we comply with program guidelines for timing and frequency of haying or grazing.

White Pine Silviculture / State of the Forest Report

A big thank you to all the participants who joined us this summer on one or more of our field programs.  My personal favorite was the program on white pine and hardwood silviculture.  See photos below.

The picture above shows some recent wind damage in this mature Eastern white pine stand.  The picture below shows the volume of these trees, many of which are >50 years old.

If you are interested in helping us schedule the next meeting of the Forest Makeover, please visit the following doodle poll site (http://doodle.com/3k66n8euk57p7s2w) and indicate your interest and availability.

Also, please be sure to check out the 2010 State of the Forest Report an end of the year report on Virginia's Forests.

Silviculture Field Tour of the Matthews State Forest-August 31, 2010

Thanks to everyone who joined us for one or more of the tree id programs in June and July.

Thanks to those of you who helped us schedule our next meeting of the Forest Makeover program. Based on your input, our next meeting will be Tuesday, August 31st. This program will be a field tour of a forest management at the Matthews State Forest. We will break into small groups and look at proposed forest management recommendations (for both hardwoods and pines). Please bring questions with you.

Meeting Time and Place: We will meet at the Matthews State Forest Office at 5:45 pm to take full advantage of the daylight.

Following the program, the DOF staff will serve a meal, and present an update on the forest makeover program to date.

Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, August 31.

Silviculture Field Tour Offered in August

Participants enjoying tree id during the June 30 program.

Dear Forest Makeover Participants and Guests:

Thanks to everyone who joined us for one or more of the tree id programs in late June and early July.

Our next meeting of the Forest Makeover program will be in late August. Please help us schedule the date! Visit the following Doodle poll and indicate your availability to attend the program: http://www.doodle.com/vh4ykhw7n9ih6xha

This program will be a field tour of a forest management at the Matthews State Forest. We will break into small groups and look at proposed forest management recommendations (for both hardwoods and pines). Please feel free to bring questions with you.

PLEASE NOTE: The start time for this program will be 5:45 pm to take full advantage of the daylight. Following the program, the DOF staff will serve a meal, and present an update on the forest makeover program to date.

Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you in August.

Small Scale Harvesting Equipment at the Matthews State Forest

Earlier this month, Zach Olinger, Dustin Reamey, and David Richert took some time to try out the Forcat mini-skidder at the Matthews State Forest.

The Forcat skidder weighs approximately 4,000 lbs, is 10 feet long from blade to rear mounted winch, and is 4 feet 1 inch wide.

We used the Forcat to try and extract some timber that had been felled to demonstrate single tree selection harvesting using directional felling techniques. The Forcat was able to maneuver in between the trees left standing to extract our felled trees.

As you can see in the photos, the felled trees were not exactly high quality trees (this was a worst-first harvesting operation), but they will make good firewood.

After a few hours of "seat time," Dustin was operating the Forcat like a pro. There were a few tricks to learn, as in how to line up the approach to the logs so that they could be winched up to the machine without damaging any of the standing timber.

By the end of the day, the crew decided to see how much the Forcat could pull, so we latched on to a large chestnut oak log--that had apparently been down and dead for several (possibly 20?) years. After some effort, we managed to skid up a 14 foot length. We estimated the weight of this log at approximately 3,000 lbs.

Once we cut into this log, we realized it was much older than we thought--dating back into the early 1700's and perhaps into the 1600's. The ring counts were well over 25 rings to the inch in some places--so a 12 inch radius would give at least a 300 year old tree.

The forest makeover program is a good venue to consider small scale and innovative forest harvesting equipment. The DOF project leaders hope to bring the Forcat skidder back to the region this fall for an in-woods forest management demonstration. We'd love to hear what landowners think about this idea.

Question about Allelopathy

A Question from a Forest Makeover Participant: I've read and witnessed that tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is allelopathic. I'm getting quite a pile of sawdust and planer shavings from it and I'm not sure, is it ok for composting and garden paths or is the wood toxic to other plants?

First, some background on allelopathy (from wikipedia). "Allelopathy is a biological phenomenon by which an organism produces one or more biochemicals that influence the growth, survival, and reproduction of other organisms. These biochemicals are known as allelochemicals and can have beneficial (positive allelopathy) or detrimental (negative allelopathy) effects on the target organisms. "

In researching this question, I came across a very interesting article. http://arnoldia.arboretum.harvard.edu/pdf/articles/473.pdf

After reading this article, I would tend to think that the shavings and sawdust from ailanthus harvested and sawed during the growing season (when there's a lot of sap and most likely ailanthone present in that sap) could be toxic or injurious to other plants growing in the area. So I would probably avoid using it as a mulch in the garden. However, there may be some benefit to using it on a trail or pathway where you wanted to keep the weeds down, and there aren't any plants you'd especially like to keep nearby.

Tree ID Courses offered at the Matthews State Forest in June and July

Forest Makeover Participants and Guests:

Tree identification courses to be offered in June / July. The next couple of forestry courses will be offered in the field, rather than in the classroom.

These tree id hikes will be offered at the Matthews State Forest, and will be offered on three different evenings:

1. Thursday, June 24
2. Wednesday, June 30
3. Wednesday, July 7

Feel free to attend just one, or all three--each will probably be a bit different, depending on the experience level of the group. Please RSVP to david.richert@dof.virginia.gov by email to help us prepare for the program...as a special bonus, we are offering a Native Trees of Virginia tree id book free to those who RSVP. For more information about the Native Trees of Virginia book please visit http://www.dof.virginia.gov/website/online-store.shtml

PLEASE NOTE: The start time for these programs will be moved up to 5:30pm to take full advantage of the daylight.

Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you later this month.

Japanese Stiltgrass Control-Tips and Tricks

Photo of treatment area showing some reduction in Japanese Stiltgrass

Photo of control area--no treatment

What is the recommended approach for eradicating Japanese Stiltgrass?






(Note: the use of trade names in this blog or other websites does not constitute an official endorsement of these products; trade names are included for informational purposes only)



Japanese stiltgrass is a C4 grass that grows especially well in low light conditions. It is an annual, spread by abundant seed which is produced in August-September. There are a variety of control methods, including mechanical, and chemical. I personally have tried several methods to control Japanese stiltgrass, dating back to 2002 when I first encountered stiltgrass on Big Spring Bog Natural Area Preserve in Grayson County, VA.

My objective was to kill Japanese stiltgrass, but not the native herbs and grasses, thereby eventually depleting-but most likely not eliminating the seedbank. The method that appeared to work best for these objectives was a very dilute concentration of sethoxydim herbicide-often sold under the trade name of Poast (TM). The Poast label recommends mixing a 1% solution for spot treatment--I mixed the solution at .25% solution, i.e. one quart of herbicide per 100 gallons of water. This dilute concentration was sprayed in early August, timed to just precede the flowering stage of the Japanese stiltgrass.

Even at such dilute concentrations, Japanese stiltgrass was injured to the point where most (if not all) of the individuals turned brown and were unable to flower. Although there is still an abundance of Japanese stiltgrass seed in the seedbank, the photos below show that some control of the stiltgrass has occurred, allowing native vegetation a chance to rebound.

Note: applications have been made every year since 2004--and while the population has been controlled to a great extent, it is unclear whether the Japanese stiltgrass will ever be fully "controlled." The following photos show the control area, and an area where 4-5 applications of sethoxydim have been applied over the previous years. These photos were taken on the same day, and if you look closely at the treatment photo, you will still see some tell-tale lime green leaves--the emergent Japanese stiltgrass leaves.

Take home point-Japanese stiltgrass is easy to kill by the individual, but it is hard to eliminate the seedbank completely.

I've included a number of very helpful links below:
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/mivi1.htm
http://wiki.bugwood.org/Microstegium_vimineum
http://www.invasive.org/weedcd/pdfs/tncweeds/micrvim.pdf
http://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/plants/stiltgrass.shtml
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/invasive_plants/weeds/japanese_stiltweed.pdf
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/wqg/northcreek_images/microstegium.pdf

Reminder--May 19th Presentation on Fire, Trees, and Dendrochronology

Dear Forest Makeover Participants and Guests:

1. Summary of the May 6th forestry program: A group of forest makeover participants met at the Matthews State Forest on Thursday May 6th for the Forest Ecology, Part II course offering. As something different, we requested that participants send a photo or two along with a forest ecology question. About 12 participants sent in photos, and it made for an interesting discussion. Based on the feedback we received, we'll probably do a program like this again sometime in the next couple of years. Thanks for all the feedback and good suggestions...and thanks for suggesting we try this type of format to begin with. Please keep the good ideas coming.

2. MAY 19th Guest lecture on fire, forests, and dendrochronology (the study of tree rings): This coming Wednesday, May 19th, Dr. Charles Lafon, a professor at Texas A&M university, will give a lecture on fire, forests, and dendrochronology. Dr. Lafon's research interests include vegetation dynamics, particularly the history and spatial pattern of disturbances such as major freezing rain events, fires, and insect outbreaks. He collects and studies tree cores and cross-sections to assess the influences of these events on vegetation. For more information about Dr. Lafon, please visit the following link: https://mail.virginia.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://geography.tamu.edu/people/featured-faculty/charles-lafon

PLEASE NOTE: Because we anticipate a full house on the 19th, we will not be serving a meal, but drinks and refreshments will be available.

3. Tree identification courses to be offered in June / July. The next couple of forestry courses will be offered in the field, rather than in the classroom. A Doodle poll has been set up to help us schedule the dates--https://mail.virginia.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.doodle.com/2wwny8a6gk64t5w2. These tree id hikes will be offered at the Matthews State Forest, and will be offered on three different evenings. Feel free to attend just one, or all three--each will probably be a bit different, depending on the experience level of the group. PLEASE NOTE: The start time for these programs will be moved up to 5:30pm to take full advantage of the daylight, and a light meal will be offered.

4. DOF foresters are working with many of you to develop your forest stewardship plans. Please be thinking of the 3 things you would like to in the next 3 years...and be ready to talk about these projects at our next meeting of all the participants to be held after the 4th of July holiday. If you have suggestions for this meeting, please let us know.

Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday, May 19th.

David Richert, CF
RC&D Forester-Western Virginia
Virginia Department of Forestry
david.richert@dof.virginia.gov
(276) 228-2879 office
(276) 389-9072 cell
100 USDA Drive Suite F
Wytheville, Virginia 24382
Certified Forester # 3768

Informational Workshop on Conservation Easements-Abingdon-May 1

Apologies for the late notice...a few of the participants mentioned an interest in conservation easements. The Virginia Outdoors Foundation is offering a workshop on conservation easements this Saturday, May 1 in Abingdon. Lunch is provided to those who RSVP.






From: Virginia Outdoors Foundation

Subject: Invitation to Informational Workshop

Date: May 1st, 2010

Location: Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Abingdon VA Room 240


The Virginia Outdoors Foundation will host a free informational workshop for landowners, attorneys, CPAs, and appraisers regarding conservation easements. The workshop will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2010 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Room 240, One Partnership Circle, Abingdon, VA 24210. A complimentary lunch will be provided around noon. Registration will begin at 8:30 AM and space is limited, so please RSVP to Karen Fisher by April 27th to (276) 628-5210 or by email at kfisher@vofonline.org.

weekly update for forest makeover participants and guests

Dear Forest Makeover Participants and Guests:

1. Time: Thanks for all those of you who submitted the time you've spent working on the project. The six month report has been submitted. I will hang on to any other hours I receive and submit these in the next six month report, this fall. If anyone would like to see a copy of the six month report, please email me, and I'll be happy to share it with you.(david.richert@dof.virginia.gov).

2a. The next forest makeover course offering will be Thursday, May 6th from 6:30-8:30 pm at the Matthews State Forest Office in Galax, VA: Based on suggestions from several participants, the next course offering will be Forest Ecology, Part II. This course will help you answer forest ecology questions about your own forest. This will require participation, however--and here's what we need from you. Each participant should send a digital photo or two of a specific forested area on their land, along with a brief description. During the program, we'll show these slides and give the group a chance to discuss. So far, I have received photos and descriptions from at least 8 participants. Please send me any photos of your forest land that you'd like to include in this forest ecology program.

2b. On the evening of May 6th, a light home-made meal of soup and sandwiches will be served-(the DOF project leaders double as cooks). Small donations to help cover the costs of the ingredients will not be refused.

3. Guest lecture on fire, forests, and dendrochronology (the study of tree rings): On Wednesday, May 19th, Dr. Charles Lafon, a professor at Texas A&M university, will give a lecture on fire, forests, and dendrochronology. Dr. Lafon's research interests include vegetation dynamics, particularly the history and spatial pattern of disturbances such as major freezing rain events, fires, and insect outbreaks. He collects and studies tree cores and cross-sections to assess the influences of these events on vegetation. For more information about Dr. Lafon, please visit the following link: http://geography.tamu.edu/people/featured-faculty/charles-lafon

4. DOF foresters are working with many of you to develop your forest stewardship plans. Please be thinking of the 3 things you would like to in the next 3 years...and be ready to talk about these projects at our next "full" meeting in late June.

Questions about hemlock wooly adelgid and controlling tree of heaven (ailanthus altissima)

Questions submitted by a forest makeover participant--via email:

1. Can you direct me to information on treating about 8 big hemlocks with their feet in the creek?


2. Also, I have one tree of heaven - on the edge of a field - I know cutting it down will spread it - I'm sure you know of a link to the correct treatment.

Answers:

1. Several websites suggest trunk injections of imidacloprid for treating hemlocks infested with hemlock wooly adelgid (Adeleges tsugae) near open water. See information from North Carolina State University (http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/ent/notes/O&T/trees/note119a/note119a.htm) and Save our Hemlocks (http://www.saveourhemlocks.org/controls/my_prop.shtml) and also the University of Kentucky (http://www.ca.uky.edu/ENTOMOLOGY/entfacts/ef452.asp). Rutgers University has some excellent information on the life cycle of the hemlock wooly adelgid (http://njaes.rutgers.edu/pubs/download-free.asp?strPubID=FS751).

2. Controlling tree of heaven is most effective when combined with some type of chemical control--herbicide is either sprayed on the cut stumps (cut stump treatment) , or sprayed on the bark at the base of the tree (basal bark spray), injected into cuts made in the bark (hack and squirt treatment), or sprayed on the leaves of young plants (foliar spray). The Virginia Department of Forestry has published an excellent resource for forest landowners that provides detailed instructions on how to control tree of heaven using one of these 4 chemical options, and it also discusses other, non-chemical options, including hand pulling, cutting, digging, scarification, spot treatment with weed burners, grazing, etc. Please download this publication at http://www.dof.virginia.gov/health/resources/pub_Ailanthus-Control-and-Utilization.pdf

I have hard copies that I will make available at the next meeting.

Perfect / imperfect flowers on red maple trees

Question: The past 2 days the maples have been at the stage where some are red orange and some are lime green. I've been told this is perfect and imperfect flowers?

Answer: The difference in color in red maples may be due to the perfect and imperfect flowers. For an interesting, comprehensive treatment of the question, please visit the links below.

http://piedmontdiscovery.blogspot.com/2010/03/maple-flowers-opening.html

http://northernwoodlands.org/articles/article/flower-show-in-the-woods

4-11-10 update for participants and guests

Summary of the March 31st forestry program: We had an enjoyable evening with Doug Ogle on Wednesday, March 31st. Doug talked about a variety of ecological factors (biotic and abiotic) that set the New River Valley apart from other areas in Virginia. After Doug's talk, David Richert and Zach Olinger (DOF foresters) covered information about forest ecology, including soils, topography, climate, competition, and site index. If you were not able to attend the March 31st meeting, this program will be available on DVD.

The next forest makeover course offering: Based on suggestions from several participants, the next course offering will be Forest Ecology, Part II. This course will help you answer forest ecology questions about your own forest. This will require participation, however--and here's what we need from you. Each participant should send a digital photo or two of a specific forested area on their land, along with a brief description. During the program, we'll show these slides and give the group a chance to discuss. Visit the following Doodle link (http://www.doodle.com/it6n55ibttzfi7qd) to help us schedule this course offering.

Guest lecture on fire, forests, and dendrochronology (the study of tree rings): On Wednesday, May 19th, 6:30pm, Dr. Charles Lafon, a professor at Texas A&M university, will give a lecture on fire, forests, and dendrochronology, at the Matthews State Forest Office in Galax, VA. Dr. Lafon's research interests include vegetation dynamics, particularly the history and spatial pattern of disturbances such as major freezing rain events, fires, and insect outbreaks. He collects and studies tree cores and cross-sections to assess the influences of these events on vegetation. For more information about Dr. Lafon, please visit the following link: http://geography.tamu.edu/people/featured-faculty/charles-lafon

Request for time information: The Extreme Forest Makeover six-month report is being submitted. Please forward your hours to David Richert

(david.richert@dof.virginia.gov).

DOF foresters are working with many of you to develop your forest stewardship plans. Please be thinking of the 3 things you would like to in the next 3 years...and be ready to talk about these projects at our next "full" meeting in late June.

Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you in late April / early May.

3-16-10 update

1. Our first course--A Local Natural History and Basic Forest Ecology--will be offered on Wednesday, March 31st from 6:30pm until 8:30pm at the Matthews State Forest Office in Galax, VA. My apologies to those of you who had difficulty returning to the site after I revised the dates offered in the poll--in the future, I will start from scratch if other dates need to be added / removed. Doug Ogle will be joining us as a guest lecturer for this program. Doug is a retired biology professor from the Virginia Community College System, an avid naturalist, and a great teller of stories--some of them are even true!

On the evening of March 31st, a light home-made meal of soup and sandwiches will be served-(the DOF project leaders double as cooks). Small donations to help cover the costs of the ingredients will not be refused.

2. This Saturday, March 20th, the 3rd annual "Go Green" Day will be held at the Matthews State Forest in Galax, VA. A flier is attached that describes some of this Saturday's events. Tree seedlings will be given to landowners in small quantities on a "first come, first served" basis.

3. The Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program is offering an online woodland options course. If you're interested in learning more about managing your forest--this is a convenient and low-cost (only $25) option for learning at your own pace. A brochure is attached that describes this online opportunity.

4. For those who have already completed their forest stewardship plans, be thinking of the 3 specific projects you would like to accomplish in the next 3 years...and be ready to talk about these projects at our next "full" meeting in late June.

Thanks, and I look forward to the next time I see all of you--hopefully I will see many of you on Wednesday, March 31st.

3-4-10 update

1. A DOF Project leader has been assigned to each participant. An attached list shows which DOF forester will be working with you as your primary point of contact during the extreme forest makeover program. For those who are working with private consulting foresters, your assigned DOF forester will serve as a backup resource, or if you have questions about this forest makeover program. Please know that these "assignments" have been made to help us serve you better, and that you will have plenty of opportunities to interact with all of the DOF Project leaders throughout this program.

Between now and the end of March, the DOF foresters will be in contact with those forest makeover participants who need to develop and/or revise their forest stewardship plans.

2. The first course--A Local Natural History and Basic Forest Ecology--will be offered in late March (not mid-March as advertised previously). MORE DATES HAVE BEEN ADDED! Please visit the doodle website to revise your vote or vote for the first time: https://mail.virginia.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.doodle.com/det7s6zpdugfrfid

Doug Ogle will be joining us as a guest lecturer for this program. For those of you who have heard Doug speak before, you'll know that this is a rare treat. For those of you who have not, please take my word for it...you'll be glad you came. (Will someone please remind me to tell the story about the first time I heard Doug speak?)

3. For those who have already completed their forest stewardship plans, be thinking of the 3 specific projects you would like to accomplish in the next 3 years.

Thanks, and I look forward to the next time I see all of you!

Follow up from the Feb 23rd kickoff meeting of the Forest Makeover Program

A heartfelt thank you to the Forest Makeover Participants who helped make the February 23rd kickoff meeting a success!

What happened at the meeting?

• Donnie Garman introduced the participants and project "leaders"
• David Richert discussed housekeeping and logistics details
• Zach Olinger gave an overview of the forestry courses we'll be offering as part of the forest makeover program
• Chris Sullivan made a presentation on what forest stewardship planning is, why it is important, and how a forest stewardship plan will "direct" the forest makeover process
• As a group, we reviewed the status of our forest stewardship plans
• As a group, we turned in our thoughts and suggestions about ideas to incorporate into the program

Missed the meeting?
For those of you who were unable to make it, we filmed the meeting, and we'll be making this DVD available if you'd like to catch up on what you missed. If you'd like to request a copy of the DVD, or if you'd like me to give you a brief update on what you missed, please contact me.

What's next?
1. Project leaders will be in contact with those participants who need to develop and/or revise their forest stewardship plans

2. The first course--Virginia's Forest Resources--A Local Natural History--will be offered in mid March. Please go to the following link to help us decide which evening to offer this course. http://www.doodle.com/det7s6zpdugfrfid

3. For those with up to date forest stewardship plans, be thinking of the 3 specific projects you would like to accomplish in the next 3 years.

Thanks, and I look forward to the next time I see all of you!

Announcement for First Participants Meeting

Dear Extreme Forest Makeover participant:

Congratulations on being selected as a participant in the New River-Highlands RC&D / Virginia Department of Forestry's Extreme Forest Makeover Program! On behalf of the project partners, I welcome you to this innovative forestry project. The project partners are looking forward to working with you over the next three years to help you achieve your sustainable forest management goals.

Based on the results of the poll, the first meeting for the Extreme Forest Makeover has been set for Tuesday, February 23rd from 6:30pm - 8:00pm, at the Matthews State Forest Office in Galax, Virginia.

Planned Objectives for this First Meeting?

• Welcome the participants to the program--introduce the participants and the project coordinators (Come prepared to share a little bit about yourselves and your forest.)


• Cover basic information about forest stewardship planning, and how the forest stewardship plan will help guide this "extreme forest makeover" program.


• Work as a group to develop the list of basic forestry courses we'll be teaching--Participants get to customize the program to best suit their interests / needs.


• Work as a group to develop the structure of the program--i.e. how often? and when to meet? small groups or large groups? how best to communicate? housekeeping details?
  

What to Bring?
If possible / applicable, please bring a copy of your Forest Stewardship Plan with you.

Need Directions to the Matthews State Forest Office in Galax, Virginia?
see attached directions--IF YOU PLAN TO USE an "on-board" navigational device please be aware that many on-board navigational devices do not have updated information for the Matthews State Forest location.

Weather Cancellation?
If this meeting has to be cancelled because of inclement weather, we will make this decision by 12:00noon on February 23rd, and will send out an email. Feel free to call the RC&D office if you don't have access to email on Feb 23rd.

Can't make the meeting?
If you can't make this first meeting--don't worry--we will work with you individually to keep you informed and involved.

Please feel free to contact me directly with any other questions or comments. Thanks, and I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, February 23rd at 6:30pm.

The Extreme Forest Makeover Project-Introduction

In the fall of 2009, the New River-Highlands RC&D Council and the Virginia Department of Forestry kicked off the "Extreme Forest Makeover" project, an innovative forest landowner program, in the New River Valley of Virginia.

Funded by a $111,000 Conservation Innovation Grant from the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, the grant will be matched by in-kind contributions from VDOF and other project partners. The “forest makeover” will occur as participating forest landowners in the New River Valley design and then implement a forest stewardship plan, with assistance from a variety of natural resource professionals.

Sustainably managed forests produce a variety of public benefits—clean air, water, wildlife habitat, recreation, aesthetics and timber. Private landowners can increase their forests’ productivity to produce these benefits through forest stewardship planning and implementation.

Project partners have recruited approximately 35 New River Valley forest landowners to participate in this program. Program participantshave a minimum of 10 acres of forestland, and a strong interest in implementing sustainable forest management activities on their forestland.

In the spring of 2010, project partners will host a series of classroom programs that highlight the principles of forest management and the multiple benefits of sustainably managed forests. Not all of the learning will take place in the classroom, however, in addition to the classroom programs, participating landowners will use the Matthews Sate Forest as a field laboratory to gain valuable hands-on experience. Ultimately, participating forest landowners will implement forest stewardship management projects on their own land, using a combination of project funds; available cost-share funds, and in-kind contributions.”

This is a three-year project, and project partners are hoping the program will increase the acres of sustainably managed forestland in the New River Valley. Although three years is a short time, relative to the life cycle of a forest, it should be long enough to give participants a glimpse of the increased forest productivity that results from sustainable forest management.