Ash Borer Found in Juniata County Pennsylvania

This one is hitting close to home.  Pennsylvania has added another county to the list that have discovered emerald ash borer infestations.  The insect has now been identified in Milford Township, Juniata County, bringing to 11 the number of Pennsylvania counties where the ash tree-destroying pest has been identified.  To read the full story go to the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's web site news release: http://www.agriculture.state.pa.us/agriculture/cwp/view.asp?Q=153457&A=390

I realize this is kind of late notice since the first webinar in the series has already run on November 5th, but the USDA Forest Service, Michigan State University, The Ohio State University, and Purdue University are collaborating to present a series of webinars about Emerald Ash Borer (EAB).


Dubbed Emerald Ash Borer University, this is a series of webinars that will offer people the opportunity to learn a great deal of information about EAB without the costs of travel. All of the webinars are free, although registration is required to access them. Names and contact information can be found on the home page if you have questions.

To register and learn more visit: http://www.emeraldashborer.info/eab_university.cfm

Forest Management and Regeneration Webinar

The Pennsylvania Forests Web Seminar Center is pleased to announce the November on-line program. Susan Stout, Project Leader, USDA Forest Service Northern Research Station, will be presenting live Forest Management and Regeneration on Tuesday, November 10th at noon and again at 7 p.m. Each seminar lasts approximately one hour. ( http://rnrext.cas.psu.edu/PAForestWeb/)

When managing a forest stand, thought must be given to the forest left behind after activities take place and the forest that will begin anew when we modify light conditions through harvesting. So often, forest management focuses on that which is to be removed. Shifting focus to what remains and the next forest, and undertaking activities to enhance these two resources, allows landowners to demonstrate their stewardship ethic and focus their goals on a sustainable forest resource....a sustainable outcome.

This seminar counts towards 1.0 credit of Category 2 SAF CFE credits.

To participate in the live seminars you must register and have a "Friend of Penn State" user ID. The "Register Now" page on the website will walk you through this process. If you are a member of the Penn State community, you already have your User ID, but we would ask you to register on the website so that you can receive reminders of upcoming programs.  You only have to register once. To register visit the site at http://rnrext.cas.psu.edu/PAForestWeb/.

Participation in the web seminar does not require any special software. To view live and previously recorded seminars all you need is a high-speed Internet connection and sound.

Asian Longhorned Beetle: The Next Threat to Our Forest

The following story appeared in the Smithsonian magazine.  It provides a well written and interesting account of the history and current efforts to eradicate Asian longhorned beetle in the US.  It is worth reading when you have the time.

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/Invasion-of-the-Longhorns.html?c=y&page=1

(Smithsonian Magazine, November 2009)

Hunters Sharing the Harvest

The 2009 Pennsylvania deer season is upon us! Archery started October 1st and the early muzzleloader and youth rifle season this week. The regular gun season does not begin until the Monday following Thanks Giving, November 30th. That being said, I hope many of you will consider donating all or part of your deer to help feed the hungry. This is accomplished through the efforts of Hunters Sharing the Harvest and its cooperators.

Pennsylvania's Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) is a venison donation program. Since 1991 it has channeled hunter's donations of venison to local food banks, soup kitchens, and needy families. These donations have literally provided hundreds of thousands of meals to needy Pennsylvanians. Last year HSH coordinated the delivery of nearly 200,000 meals of venison to hungry Pennsylvanians!

Hunting is the primary method of deer management in the state. Proper deer management lessens the impact of deer on forests, crops, and landscaping. Balancing deer populations with the available habitat also benefits deer by ensuring the availability of food and cover. With fewer hunters and more liberal seasons than in the past many hunters are able to harvest two or more deer.

HSH not only encourages hunters to consider donating their second or third deer of the season, but also to consider smaller donations from any deer harvested. HSH program distributes the venison to hungry people via an integrated network of meat processors and food banks. The program has called upon hunters to pay for all or part of the processing fees. These donations, combined with the financial assistance of our sponsors, are what make the entire process possible.

To find out more information about HSH go to their web site located at: http://www.sharedeer.org/index.html or contact the Centre County Volunteer Coordinator, Dave Jackson at 814-355-4897. Listings of participating processors can be found on the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s web site: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=460&q=160457

Centre County currently has just one participating butcher, Adler’s Market, located in Philipsburg. HSH continues to have a serious need for qualified participating deer processors in many areas. Any help with connecting HSH to good candidates in unrepresented areas would be appreciated!