2014 National Tree Farmer Convention Coming to Pittsburgh July 17-19

Join Tree farmers, woodland owners, and forest enthusiasts at the 2014 National Tree Farmer Convention featuring a line-up of educational sessions ranging from forest and wildlife management to the generational transfer of your land; a field day at the Burnham's Woodlot, Pennsylvania 2010 Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year; optional tours for you to discover some unique Pittsburgh experiences; and of course the chance to meet up with old friends and make some new ones.

The 2014 National Tree Farmer Convention, July 17-19 in Pittsburgh, PA, will feature a great lineup of sessions on a range of topics designed to provide you with the tools you need to manage your woodlands today and for generations to come.

Some of our sessions include:

•  I Have Timber to Sell: Profitable Timber Marketing and Harvesting
•  Restoring the American Chestnut
•  A Forest Policy Agenda for the Future
•  Benefiting Wildlife Through Young Forest Habitat
•  Planning for the Successful Transfer of Your Forest

In addition to this line-up of sessions there will be a pre-Convention listening session from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. on July 17 to gather feedback and perspectives related to our review of the ATFS Standards of Sustainability.

There are many exciting opportunities for learning, celebrating, and meeting new friends at the National Tree Farmer Convention.  I hope you can join us July 17-19 in Pittsburgh, PA to celebrate the final National Tree Farmer Convention.  You do not have to be a member of the Tree Farm program to attend.

Summer Field Tour: “Wildlife Habitat Management and the Young Forest Initiative”

The Society of American Foresters, Rothrock Chapter, is pleased to be offering the summer field tour entitled, WildlifeHabitat Management and the Young Forest Initiative to be held on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 from 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM on the Penn State Stone Valley Experimental Forest. The field tour will be followed by an optional picnic BBQ at the Lake Perez cabin rental area beginning at 5:00 pm and running until 7:00 pm. This event is open to the public, everyone is welcome to attend.

The afternoon will be spent visiting three sites on the Penn State Stone Valley Forest to view woodcock and wildlife habitat management activities. The first site is marked for a habitat improvement cutting but has not been cut yet, the second site was cut in March and April of this year and the last site was cut last year in early spring. Game biologists, foresters and Natural Resource Conservation Services personnel will talk about the cutting treatments, native wildlife species, invasive plant control, and programs available to assist with habitat management.

Participants will learn valuable management practices that can be implemented on their own property, or that of others, that will not only enhance the area for wildlife but will also improve the future tree and timber growing potential. They will also have an opportunity to network with professional natural resource managers and gain valuable insights and updates. Afterwards we will return to Lake Perez for an optional BBQ dinner.

For more information about the program/dinner contact the Penn State Forestland Management Office at: 814-865-6272. For registration information contact Penn State Extension-Centre County at: centreext@psu.edu or 814-355-4897. A $10 fee is being charged per person to cover the cost of the BBQ. If just planning to attend the program there is no charge but we request that all still plan to register. Registration is required prior to Wednesday, June 18^th.

Deer, trout, grouse-focused summer field school opportunities for teens and teachers

Interested in wildlife or a career in wildlife management and ecology? If so, read on. I want to make you aware of an exciting opportunity for our teens offered through the Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation Education, The Wildlife Leadership Academies are now accepting applications for their 2014 summer field schools from youth ages 14-17 and adults. Adults serve as mentors and participate alongside the students. School teachers are encouraged to apply as mentors. 

The Wildlife Leadership Academy is year-round program that focuses on wildlife/fisheries conservation and leadership development. The Academy begins with an intensive, five day residential field school experience that focuses on a fish or wildlife species as a springboard for exploring biology, habitat, and conservation issues. Youth also develop leadership skills engaging in team-building activities, educational presentations, and mock “town hall” meetings on current topics. 

Three field schools are available for youth and adults to apply to this summer: Pennsylvania Bucktails, white-tailed deer focus (Stone Valley Recreation Area in Huntingdon County June 17-21), Pennsylvania Brookies, brook trout and coldwater conservation focus (Sieg Conference Center in Clinton County July 8-12), and Pennsylvania Drummers, Ruffed Grouse focus (Powdermill Nature Reserve in Westmoreland County July 22-26).

Student Brook Martin of York County describes his participation in the program as “life changing”. He shared, “With this field school, I was able to reach my full potential and find a career path that I feel will be very rewarding.  It was an experience that I will cherish and remember the rest of my life.”

A high quality experience

The Pennsylvania Institute for Conservation, Wildlife Leadership Academies are a cooperative initiative which brings the experts to the students. Participants are taught by and interact with conservation professionals daily. These professionals represent agencies, conservation organizations and universities from across the state.

For more information and to register click here.

Penn State Renewable Natural Resources Extension: May Webinars

Wood Identification webinar offered May 13, 2014

Penn State Extension's Renewable Natural Resources Team provides a monthly webinar series.  The webinars cover topics from wood to water and forestry to wildlife management.  A listing of the may webinars is provided below.  All are free and open to the public.

The Forest Stewardship Webinar Series has been ongoing since 2008.  Each webinar is recorded and archived on the PA Forests Web Seminar Center.  Go to the "Previous Webinars" listing to view recorded webinars in our archives. 



PA Forest Stewardship Webinar: Visual Identification of Wood, Tuesday, May 13, 12 – 1 p.m. EST and 7 – 8 p.m. EST
This webinar will address the visual, or macroscopic, identification of the numerous economically important woods of Pennsylvania. For some species this is easy, for some it is more challenging. Wood characteristics such as color, figure, cross sectional features, and hardness are just for a few of the things that can help distinguish one species from another. This webinar is an introduction to the topic and is geared for landowners, woodworkers, and anyone else interested in learning about identifying wood. Presented by Mike Powell, Senior Research Technologist, Penn State Department of Ecosystem Science and Management.
https://meeting.psu.edu/PAForestWeb/

Northeast Woody/Warm-Season Biomass Consortium Webinar: Pennsylvania’s Wood Energy Initiative, Tuesday, May 13, 1 p.m.-2 p.m. EST
This session presents the mission and purpose of Pennsylvania’s Wood Energy Initiative which is to establish decentralized, small thermal, and sustainable wood-fueled energy systems for community and economic growth, utilizing several woody biomass feedstocks such as low-value / low-use wood, mill residue, and short rotation woody crops. We’ll go over some of the projects recently installed at schools, a hospital and greenhouse and examine some of the project benefits enjoyed by these thermal energy systems. Presented by Michael Palko, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.
https://meeting.psu.edu/bioenergy

PA Urban & Community Forestry Webinar: Ten Best Trees for Wildlife, Tuesday, May 20, 12 – 1 p.m. EST.  Presented by Julianne Schieffer, Penn State Extension.
https://meeting.psu.edu/pacommunityforestry

Water Resources Webinar: Home Garden Irrigation Systems, Wednesday, May 28, 12 – 1 p.m. EST. Presented by Steve Bogash, Penn State Extension.
https://meeting.psu.edu/water1