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.