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.