New EAB Insecticide Bulletin Available

In case you have not seen this a new chemical control bulletin, prepared by university researchers, is now available on the emeral ash borer web site.

http://www.emeraldashborer.info/

The most current, up-to-date information and research on if, when, and how to treat ash trees for Emerald Ash Borer is available in this bulletin. This downloadable bulletin can be printed now; printed copies will be ready soon. Check back here for availability.

Production and distribution of this bulletin were supported in part by cooperative agreements from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) and the U.S. Forest Service, Northeastern Area, Forest Health Protection. This bulletin may not necessarily express the views of the USDA.

Sustainable Woodlands Webinar Series

Cornell Cooperative Extension is pleased to announce a special webinar series titled "Sustainable Woodlands." The series emphasizes the range of skills and attitudes necessary for maintaining a well-managed, and sustainable, woodland. Cornell's ForestConnect program and the Department of Natural Resource are working with the Sustainable Forests Partnership on this project.

Cornell has an exceptional cadre of speakers scheduled over the next few months. See the information below for details on dates and topics. Webinars provide an opportunity for nationally acclaimed speakers to provide an educational experience via a high-speed Internet connection to people around the world.

ForestConnect is a pioneer in offering forest-related webinars and includes more than 1200 registered participants who own or manage almost 10 million acres. Prospective participants need to pre-register; registration is easy, happens once and is free. Register at http://www.forestconnect.info/ via the web conference link. Detailed information about the webinars, and previously recorded webinars, are available at this website. All webinars are offered free from 12:00 to 1:15 (Eastern time) and limited to the first 100 participants logged on. A high speed internet connection and functional speakers are required. All webinars are recorded for later viewing.

June 1, 2009 - Enhancing biological diversity on forest lands. Kristi Sullivan, Cornell University

June 15, 2009 - Conservation and maintenance of soil and water resources. Dr. Andrew Egan, Paul Smith's College

June 29, 2009 - Sustaining healthy and productive forests. Dylan Jenkins, The Nature Conservancy in Pennsylvania

July 13, 2009 - Forest carbon cycles and management. Maria Janowiak, Michigan Technological Institute

July 27, 2009 - Landowner perspectives on forest stewardship and sustainability. Ruth McWilliams, USFS (retired)

Deer Habitat and Management Tour

PA GAME LANDS Deer Habitat & Management Tour

Sunday – May 31st, 2009, 1:00 PM
Elk County State Game Lands # 44

This will be a tour of habitat work and various projects that profile deer management issues in the state and the local areas.

The tour is free and open to the public .

Wear clothing and boots suitable for short walks in the woods and fields. Jackets or rain gear may be needed dependent upon the weather conditions. High clearance vehicles are preferred, though four-wheel drive is not needed, as you use your vehicle to travel to various locations on the game lands.

The tour starts at 1:00 PM at the Old CCC Camps in Carmen, site of the present day Game Commission Food & Cover Crew Headquarters, located on Game Commission Road. By approximately 5pm tour returns to starting point and refreshments are served.

Take Route 949 South out of Ridgway for approx. 8 miles – just prior to the twin bridges that cross over the railroad tracks and Toby Creek turn left onto Game Commission Road. This is approx. 1 mile north of Portland Mills on Rt. 949.

Wood Pellet Stove IRS Incentive

This could be the year to invest in a new wood or pellet stove. I just found out about a 30% tax credit of up to $1500 that has been approved for models that meet certain energy efficiency standards. The IRS has not issued the final guidelines on the efficiency standards, however, but they are expected soon. Check out the Hearth, Patio and Barbeque Association website for details: http://www.hpba.org/index.php?id=34 Current wood pellet prices from a local supplier this spring were around $225/ton.