Announcing Workshop on Caring for Woods

Do you have woods in your backyard? Penn State research estimates that nearly half a million Pennsylvanians own a small patch of woodlands -- something less than ten acres in size. In fact, the average small ownership is about two acres. In sum, these small patches add up to about a million or so acres, or about 10 percent, of our state’s privately held woodlands.

Anyone interested in improving their land or acreage for the benefit of humans, flora and fauna will not want to miss the Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas around Your Home workshop being offered in Lewisburg on Saturday, April 7, 2018.

The workshop is sponsored by Penn State Extension, The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: Forests for the Bay Program, DCNR Bureau of Forestry, and ClearWater Conservancy.

The workshop is designed specifically (but not exclusively) for smaller landscapes. These small lots are a big deal. The vast majority of Pennsylvania’s landowners have less than 10 acres. This land, wooded or not, can provide benefits. By enhancing wooded areas or creating natural areas on your property, you can enjoy recreation, aesthetics, wildlife, improved water quality and reduced energy costs. Owners of even the smallest landscapes can make a positive difference in their environment through planning and implementing simple stewardship practices.

The workshop introduces the manual “The Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas around Your Home.” All participants will receive the full-color, 108-page manual, a $23 value! This self-directed book will guide you through the process of developing and implementing projects to enhance your land’s natural resources.

The workshop will take place at the Union County Government Building in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. At the workshop, participants will remain together in the morning and then choose their afternoon sessions based on interest.

Topics will include: 
·         Habitats for wildlife 
·         Backyard pollinators 
·         Tree and shrub identification 
·         Tree planting 
·         Woods and water 
·         Forest ecology and soils 
·         Woodlot management techniques 
·         Invasive plant identification and control 
·         Creating wildflower meadows 
·         …….and more

Cost is $35 per individual to attend (includes manual, lunch and light morning refreshments). For more information and to register go to: http://extension.psu.edu/backyard-woods or call 1-877-345-0691.

The Pennsylvania State University encourages qualified persons with disa-bilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Dave Jackson at 814-355-4897 in advance of your participation or visit.