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.