A DAY in the WOODS program agenda set for 2024

We are pleased to announce the 2024 agenda for the A DAY in the WOODS.  Online registration is now available at: REGISTER HERE. For a brochure with more details click here: 2024 ADIW Brochure

Evaluating your Woods
May 10 (9 am) – Vinton Furnace State Forest
• Understand the importance of inventorying and monitoring your woods
• Learn basic inventory techniques that provide a benchmark for setting goals and monitoring progress in your woods
• Receive a tree measuring stick and learn to use it to measure heights and diameters of your trees
• Learn to assess the health and condition of your woods

Getting a Handle on Invasive Species
June 14 (9 am) – Lake Snowden, 5900 US Highway 50 Albany, OH 45710
• Learn how to identify non-native invasive species
• Get to know how invasive plants affect woodland health and what can be done to control them
• Get tips for when and how to control invasives and what to do after treatment

Native Grasslands and Pollinator Habitat
July 12 (9 am) – Meigs Conservation Area, 35010 New Lima Rd. Pomeroy, OH 45769
• Learn about establishing and managing pollinator habitat
• Understand habitat needs and host plants for various pollinator species
• Understand how pollinator management can benefit other wildlife species

Prescribed Fire: Ecology &  Implementation
August 9 (9 am) – Vinton Furnace State Forest
• Learn the ecology of fire in relation to SE Ohio forest ecosystems
• Explore prescribed fire treated stands and compare to untreated stands
• Learn about prescribed fire resources available to private landowners

Night Flyers
Sept 13 (5 pm) – Vinton Furnace State Forest
• Explore the unique ecology of Ohio’s night flyers—birds, bats, moths, and more
• Understand habitat needs and strategies to promote nocturnal wildlife on your property
• Enjoy a night hike to look and listen for nocturnal wildlife

Critter Homes: Wildlife Habitat Improvements
Oct 11 (9 am) – Vinton Furnace State Forest
• Learn more about how timber stand improvements can create habitat for Ohio’s wildlife
• Gain a better knowledge of which practices correlate to certain wildlife species
• Get more information regarding wildlife EQIP practices

Forest Stand Improvemen
Nov 8 (9 am) – Vinton Furnace State Forest
• Learn and understand the basics of chainsaw safety, including PPE
• Observe proper strategy and technique for tree felling
• Appreciate the effects of midstory control towards meeting a range of forest objectives
• Determine why cull tree removal is an important component in creating and maintaining thriving forests

“Bugs and Shrubs” by A DAY in the WOODS at the Vinton Furnace State Forest on Friday August 11th.

American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) a native shrub that thrives in moist soils.

In addition to an amazing diverse overstory of hardwood trees, our woodlands in Appalachia Ohio are home to a wide variety of native shrubs which are critical components of our woodland ecosystems.  These shrubs are important hosts for many native species of insects, provide food and cover for many species of wildlife, and offer many other benefits.

  • Understand the relationships between our native pollinators and shrubs
  • Learn to identify common native and non-native shrubs
  • Understand the impacts of non-native invasive species on our ecosystems

This program will take place at the Vinton Furnace State Forest near McArthur on Friday August 11th from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.   A registration fee of $15 will cover the cost of lunch and program materials.

Please use one of the following methods to register by August 7th:

For brochures and more information about this and upcoming programs visit: http://u.osu.edu/seohiowoods

Don’t forget to check out our  tree and shrub identification videos at: http://go.osu.edu/treeid

For directions to the program location visit: GPS Coordinates  or Map to the Vinton Furnace

“A Day in the Woods” and the “2nd Friday Series” are sponsored by the Education and Demonstration Subcommittee of the Vinton Furnace State Forest with support from Ohio State University Extension, ODNR-Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Vinton Soil and Water Conservation District, Central State University Extension, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pixelle Specialty Solutions, Ohio Tree Farm Committee, Ohio Forestry Association, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College,  Ruffed Grouse Society, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, Pheasants and Quail Forever, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

100th A DAY in the WOODS proclamation presented on June 9, 2023 at the Vinton Furnace State Forest

Sam Custer (ANR Assistant Director, OSU Extension), Jackie Wilkins (Director, OSU Extension), Dave Apsley (Natural Resources Specialist, OSU Extension), Dan Balser (Chief ,ODNR Division of Forestry) and Steve Gray (Assistant Director, Ohio Department of Natural Resources) with proclamation from Ohio Governor Mike Dewine and Lieutenant Governor Joh Husted.

 

“Identifying the Trees in Your Woods” offered by A DAY in the WOODS at the Vinton Furnace State Forest on Friday July 14th

One of the first steps to improving your woodland is to know the species of trees that grow there.  With dozens of tree species on the typical woodland property in Appalachian Ohio, this can be a formidable task.  “Identifying the Trees in Your Woods” will introduce you a simple leaf key to guide you through the process.  You will have the opportunity to use the key to identify a wide assortment of tree samples in the classroom, then explore the diverse woodlands at the Vinton Furnace State Forest with experienced foresters.  This will help to reinforce your leaf identification skills and to help you to learn to use other characteristics, such as bark, twigs and buds, tree form and shape, and even site or location to help you identify trees.

This program will take place at the Vinton Furnace State Forest near McArthur on Friday July 14th from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.   A registration fee of $15 will cover the cost of lunch and a copy of Leaf Identification Key to Eighty-eight Ohio Trees.

Please use one of the following methods to register by July 10:

Don’t forget to check out our Treemendous Tuesday, tree identification videos at: http://go.osu.edu/treeid

For directions to the program location visit: GPS Coordinates  or Map to the Vinton Furnace

 

A DAY in the WOODS celebrates its 100th educational event on June 9 at the Vinton Furnace State Forest

A DAY in the WOODS began with a kickoff event on April 14, 2012, at the Vinton Furnace State Forest near McArthur.  June 9, 2023 will mark the 100th A DAY in the WOODS educational program for woodland owners and enthusiasts in Appalachia Ohio.  This event will begin at 11:30 AM with a brief ceremony hosted by Dan Balser, Chief of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources-Division of Forestry, and Dave Apsley, Natural Resources Specialist with Ohio State University Extension to celebrate the occasion and to recognize all of the partners support the effort.

The ceremony will be followed by lunch and an afternoon filled displays, demonstrations and activities for woodland owners and enthusiasts organized and conducted by A DAY in the WOODS partnering organizations. Some of the activities planned include:

  • Tree identification walk
  • Chainsaw safety demonstration
  • Birding activities
  • Tours of  demonstration sites
  • Tour of the new Ohio Hills -Adaptive Silviculture for Climate Change Research site.
  • Conversations with representatives from many of our partners
  • Tree measuring excercise

The 100th A DAY in the WOODS event celebration be held at the Vinton Furnace State Forest near McArthur on May June 9, 2023, from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM.  Many of the afternoon educational programs will take place in the woods so be sure to bring your hiking boots and dress accordingly.

There is no charge to attend this event, but you must register by May 31 to receive lunch.

To register visit

go.osu.edu/celebrate100

or

call the Vinton Soil and Water Conservation District

  740-596-5676

by no later than May 31

Directions – Experimental Forest

For more information contact Dave Apsley by email at apsley.1@osu.edu  and keep an eye on http://u.osu.edu/seohiowoods http://u.osu.edu/seohiowoods for updates.

From its beginning in 2012, A DAY in the WOODS has been a collaborative effort with the goal of providing quality educational programs for woodland owners and enthusiasts in Appalachian Ohio.  It is the flagship outreach program for the Ohio Interagency Forestry Team.  To date A DAY in the WOODS has offered 99 programs reaching more than 5,300 woodland owners and enthusiasts who manage nearly 150,000 acres of woodlands.

Thanks to our lunch Sponsors:

 

A DAY in the WOODS is coordinated by Ohio State University Extension in partnership with Ohio Department of Natural Resources-Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife, USDA Forest Service, Vinton Soil and Water Conservation District, Central State University Extension, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pixelle Specialty Solutions, Ohio Tree Farm Committee, Ohio Forestry Association, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ruffed Grouse Society, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative,  and Pheasants and Quail Forever, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.  Lunches are provided courtesy of the Ohio Forestry Association Foundation,  Speyside Bourbon Cooperage and Stave Mill, and the Ohio Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation.

 

A DAY in the WOODS offers “Reading Your Woods” on May 12th at Vinton Furnace State Forest

Large white oak that spend much of it’s life growing with little competition from other trees ( a.k.a “wolf tree”)

We are excited to kick off our 12th season of A DAY in the WOODS with Reading Your Woods a program designed to help you to understand the numerous factors that have influenced the woods that you have today and its potential to meet your goals in the future. Some of the topics that we will be covering at this program include:

  • Understand how past land use, soil and site conditions, and other factors affect your woodland

  • Learn to look for evidence of past-land use, natural disturbance and site capability

  • Learn to develop reasonable goals for your woods based on the information that you gather

Foresters and other natural resources personnel from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio State University Extension will be on hand to lead participants through a variety of woodland habitats to look for and discuss the evidence that we find.  We’ll discuss the implications of this evidence on the current conditions and future capability of your woodlands.  This knowledge can help you to set and attain reasonable goals for your woodland.

Reading Your Woods will take place at the Vinton Furnace State Forest near McArthur on May 12, 2023 from 9 AM to 3 PM.  The program will take mostly take place in the woods and may field and will include a considerable amount of walking on uneven terrain, so be sure to bring your hiking boots and dress accordingly.a

A registration fee of $15 will cover the cost of lunch and program materials. Please use one of the following methods to register by May 8: register and pay online at http://go.osu.edu/vintonswcd; call the Vinton Soil and Water Conservation District 740-596-5676; or email Jessica Burns (OSU Extension-Vinton County) at burns.1097@osu.edu

For brochures, maps and directions, and more information about our 2023 slate of programs for woodland owners and enthusiasts in SE Ohio, visit adiw-brochure.

Directions – Experimental Forest

 

 

Tentative program schedule for A DAY in the WOODS in 2023

We are pleased to announce our program schedule for A DAY in the WOODS for 2023.

We are especially excited about our June 9th celebratiion of our “100th A DAY in the WOODS” program since 2012. We are currently working on a brochure and will post it under 2023 Brochure above as soon as it is available.

May 12 Reading your woodlot!  What does it say about your woodland management goals?

  • Understand how past land use, soil and site conditions and other factors affect your woodland
  • Learn to look for evidence of past-land use, natural disturbance and site capability
  • Learn to develop reasonable goals for your woods based on the information that you gather
  • Location: Vinton Furnace State Forest

June 9 100th  A DAY in the WOODS  celebration 

  • Celebrate this milestone with our partners and supporters
  • Participate in a wide variety of tours and educational opportunities throughout the day
  • Stay Tuned for more details in the coming weeks
  • Location: Vinton Furnace State Forest

July 14 – Tree Identification  

  • Learn to use leaf characteristics to identify trees
  • Learn to key using samples in the classroom
  • Explore a variety of woodland habitats and practice what you’ve learned
  • Location: Hocking College or Zaleski ODNR Complex

Aug 11Shrubs n’ Bugs

  • Understand the relationships between our native pollinators and shrubs
  • Learn about non-native invasive species and their impacts on the ecosystem
  • Location: Vinton Furnace State Forest

Sept 8Improving Your Woodlot

  • Learn about a variety of woodland management techniques that you can use to improve your woodland including Crop Tree Management, Timber Stand Improvement, invasive species management, and mid/understory management
  • Practice selecting crop trees to meet your goals and determining which trees are competing with them
  • Location:  Vinton Furnace State Forest

Oct 13Forest Wildlife Habitat Relationships

  • Understand the elements of wildlife habitat found in our woodlands and natural areas in SE Ohio
  • Learn about many of the wildlife species (game and non-game) that inhabit southeast Ohio and understand what you can to enhance their habitat in your woods
  • Location:  Vinton Furnace State Forest

Family Forests and Carbon webinar resources are now available

Our final A DAY in the WOODS program for 2022 focused on Family Forests and Carbon.

Featured presentations included:

“Carbon 101”, Charles Levesque – President, Innovative Natural Resource Solutions, LLC and Coordinator, Securing Northeast Forest Carbon Program

“Ohio’s Family Forest Carbon Program (AFF/TNC)”, Tristan Kinnison – American Forest Foundation

“Examples of current Forest Carbon projects in Ohio”, Anthony Pappas – Heritage Habitat & Forestry, LLC

“A Day in the Woods” and the “2nd Friday Series” are sponsored by the Education and Demonstration Subcommittee of the Vinton Furnace State Forest with support from Ohio State University Extension, ODNR-Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Vinton Soil and Water Conservation District, Central State University Extension, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pixelle Specialty Solutions, Ohio Tree Farm Committee, Ohio Forestry Association, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ruffed Grouse Society, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, Pheasants and Quail Forever, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

Managing Oaks for Wildlife offered on October 14 at the Vinton Furnace State Forest

Oak-dominated woodlands provide many important habitat elements for a wide variety of woodland animals from salamanders and song-birds to wild turkey and white-tailed deer.  Many of these animals depend on acorns to get them through Ohio’s winters, but oaks provide many other advantages for wildlife.  Oaks also benefit from many of these relationships and depend on wildlife like blue jays and squirrels to disperse and plant their acorns in suitable locations.   Even though oak-dominated forests are still common in southeastern Ohio, we are seeing trends that are concerning.

Join us on October 14 at the Vinton Furnace State (Experimental) forest to:

  • Learn about the fascinating relationships between oaks and a wide array of wildlife species.
  • Increase your knowledge of the ecological and economic benefits of oak-dominated forests.
  • Understand the increasing concerns that we have for the future of oak-dominated forests in southeastern Ohio and the efforts of Ohio’s Interagency Forestry Team to address them.
  •  Learn about oak regeneration and the role of fire and other disturbances in the process.
  • Become aware of the resources and opportunities  available to you as a woodland owner to enhance oaks on you property.

Featured presenters include Stephen Mathews (Ohio State University School of Environment and Natural Resources); Rebecca Snell (Ohio University); Mark Wiley (ODNR Division of Wildlife); Stephanie Downs (ODNR Division of Forestry), and Dave Apsley (Ohio State University Extension).

This program will take place on October 14th at the Vinton Furnace State from 9 AM to 3 PM.   A registration fee of $12 will cover the cost of lunch and program materials. Please use one of the following methods to register by October 10th: register and pay online at http://go.osu.edu/vintonswcd; call the Vinton Soil and Water Conservation District 740-596-5676; or email Dave Apsley at apsley.1@osu.edu.

Directions – Experimental Forest

“A Day in the Woods” and the “2nd Friday Series” are sponsored by the Education and Demonstration Subcommittee of the Vinton Furnace State Forest with support from Ohio State University Extension, ODNR-Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Vinton Soil and Water Conservation District, Central State University Extension, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pixelle Specialty Solutions, Ohio Tree Farm Committee, Ohio Forestry Association, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ruffed Grouse Society, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative,  and Pheasants and Quail Forever, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

 

 

‘A Night in the Forest: Nocturnal wildlife and night skies’ offered by A DAY in the WOODS on Friday, September 9 at the Vinton Furnace State Forest

Photo courtesy of the ODNR Division of Wildlife

The forest is a wonderful and mysterious place especially at night.  Join us on September 9th for “A Night in the Forest: Nocturnal wildlife and night skies”.  This special evening program by A DAY in the WOODS will take place at the Vinton Furnace State Forest.  Program attendees will have the opportunity to:

  • Experience the forest at night

  • Discover some common and not so common night sounds in the forest

  • Learn about chimney swifts, nightjars and eastern whip-poor-wills

  • Search for moths and caterpillars and other nocturnal insects

  • “Listen” to bats and learn about echolocation

  • And if the weather cooperates – view the magnificent night sky with minimal light pollution

Wildlife biologists and other natural resources personnel from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio State University, School of Environment and Natural Resources will be on hand to lead the wildlife portion of the program.   George Eberts and the Ohio University Astronomy Club will be on site with telescopes to interpret the night sky.

 

This program will take place on September 9th at the Vinton Furnace State from 6:30 to 10 PM.   A registration fee of $12 will cover the cost of a light evening meal and program materials.

 

Please use one of the following methods to register by September 5th: register and pay online at http://go.osu.edu/vintonswcd; call the Vinton Soil and Water Conservation District 740-596-5676; or email Dave Apsley at apsley.1@osu.edu.

 

If you’ve got one handy, please bring a headlight or flashlight.

Directions – Experimental Forest

“A Day in the Woods” and the “2nd Friday Series” are sponsored by the Education and Demonstration Subcommittee of the Vinton Furnace State Forest with support from Ohio State University Extension, ODNR-Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Vinton Soil and Water Conservation District, Central State University Extension, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pixelle Specialty Solutions, Ohio Tree Farm Committee, Ohio Forestry Association, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ruffed Grouse Society, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative,  and Pheasants and Quail Forever, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.