Central Region Forest Landowners Conference

Central Region Forest Landowners Conference

 Planned for Saturday, March 8, 2008

Penn State Cooperative Extension, in cooperation with Penn State School of Forest Resources, the DCNR Bureau of Forestry, the Woodland Owners of Centre County, the North Central Forest Landowners Association, and the Clearfield/Jefferson Counties Forest Stewardship Committee are providing an educational conference specifically for forest landowners and managers to learn and discuss forest and wildlife management on private forest lands.  The conference is scheduled from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm., Saturday, March 8, 2008, at the Penn State School of Forest Resources Building, University Park, PA.

Forests cover nearly 60% or over 17 million acres of Pennsylvania.  Over 750,000 private forest landowners own approximately 75% (12.5 million acres) of this land.  Forests provide us with many benefits including wood products, wildlife habitat, places to recreate, and beautiful vistas.  They also give us clean water by protecting watersheds and clean air by removing carbon dioxide.  Forests are also vital to the economy of Pennsylvania.  The forest products industry is the fourth largest industry in the state, employing over 90,000 workers in 2,500 firms and contributes almost 5 billion dollars to the state’s economy annually.  To continue providing these benefits into the future forests must receive proper management.

Conference participants will learn about: abandoned mine reforestation, forest insects and diseases, invasive plant species, fisher reintroductions, woodlot management, forest finance, timber marketing, wood energy, forest conservation, and more.

To register or for more information contact Dave Jackson at the Centre County Cooperative Extension office at 814-355-4897 or Tim Pierson at the McKean County Cooperative Extension Office at 814-887-5613.  The registration fee is $30.00 which covers speakers, breaks, a luncheon, and educational materials.  The deadline for registration is Friday, February 29.  Participants must be pre-registered.

Workshop: Invasive Species Threats to PA Forests

PLEASE NOTE: As of 7:00 AM Friday, this educational program is on as scheduled. If extreme weather conditions make it necessary to cancel or reshedule, we will provide that  information here.  

The Allegheny Mountain Woodland Association (AMWA) invites you to attend an educational program on the Invasive Species Threats to Pennsylvania Forests. It will take place on Saturday, February 23, 9:00 AM to Noon at the Cambria County Extension Office, 499 Manor Drive Ebensburg (call 814-472-7986 for directions and additional information).

Pennsylvania is under attack by non-native species of insects that have the potential to decimate or even entirely eradicate species of trees.  The white ash and our state tree, the eastern hemlock, are specific targets, but no species are entirely safe, especially in areas where major infestations occur.

Dr. Donald A. Eggen, Forest Health Manager for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), will address the hemlock woolly adelgid, emerald ash borer, gypsy moth, and other invasive insect threats to Pennsylvania’s trees and forests. A panel of local foresters will join Dr. Eggen to respond to questions and provide guidance on local resources for home and woodlot owners and other concerned residents. 

The program is free for all AMWA members and $5 for all others. Nonmembers may choose to enroll for the annual membership fee of $15. They will then be able to attend this workshop for free, and also attend the remainder of 2008 programs free or at a reduced rate. Membership applications will be processed at the door on the day of the event.

 Please telephone 814-472-7986 to register (or email theamwa@yahoo.com). While advance registration is not required, it aids in planning for materials and refreshments, which will be provided at no additional charge.

Acorns (Forest Stewardship News Releases – Penn State)

“Great oaks from little acorns grow.” When it comes to acorns, this may be about as much as many of us know. But acorns, the fruit of oaks, are an important bounty provided by our woodlands

In the fall, hunters begin to scout the landscape for acorns, which are mast – literally, forest food – and critically important to many wildlife species. Every squirrel, turkey, deer, and bear hunter and many bird watchers know that finding acorns may increase their chances of finding wildlife.   read more

Gypsy moth caterpillars back with bite (The Morning Call)

Forest-munching gypsy moth caterpillars rebounded in Pennsylvania this summer with a surprising vengeance, catching entomologists, government officials and landowners off-guard. Now, officials are worried they won’t have enough money or resources to help counties battle what is expected to be an even bigger infestation next year.

Early estimates indicate the pests, which had been in decline for several years, bounced back to defoliate a million acres in Pennsylvania. Lehigh County was relatively untouched but Monroe County, with its abundance of oaks — a gypsy moth favorite — was among the hardest-hit areas in the state and the nation.  full story

DCNR wages war on ‘Trees of Heaven’ (Williamsporte Sun-Gazette)

When William Hamilton introduced Ailanthus altissima in 1784 to America in his Philadelphia garden as an ornamental tree, he couldn’t have imagined that over 200 years later this East Asian deciduous plant would be labeled an invasive species and be hated by many.

In the past few years, the state Bureau of Forestry’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has been working to eradicate this so-called “Tree of Heaven” from Pine Creek Valley in western Lycoming County.   read more