Yellow-Throated Vireo photo by Molly McDermott

Southeastern Ohio’s woodlands contain a rich diversity of migratory songbirds and unfortunately for humans, disease-carrying ticks. The focus of the June 13^th “A Day in the Woods” program will be focused on woodland birds and ticks. Participants will have the opportunity to interact with experts from The Ohio State University and will include a live bird banding demonstration! “Birds n’ Tick Talk” is designed to help you:

• Explore the relationships between forest birds and ticks
• Learn more about birds nesting in your woodland
• Observe a professional bird banding demonstration!
• Learn to protect yourself from disease-carrying ticks

Tick being removed from Swainson’s Thursh photo by Ningzhu Bai

If you would like to learn more about “Birds n’ Ticks”, please join us on June 13th for our “A DAY in the WOODS” program at Vinton Furnace State Forest: 

This program will take place at Vinton Furnace State Forest near McArthur, Ohio and runs from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Please see below for information for driving directions to Vinton Furnace State Forest.  A registration fee of $20 will cover the cost of lunch and program materials. To download a brochure with more details about this program and future programs visit: https://u.osu.edu/seohiowoods .

Mist netting for Songbirds at Vinton Furnace State Forest.

Vinton Furnace State Forest is in Vinton County near McArthur North Entrance (Dundas): From the intersection of SR 93 and SR 324, drive south on SR 324 for approximately 0.3 mile and turn left onto Sam Russell Road. Follow Sam Russell Road about 2.5 miles to the forest entrance. South Entrance (Radcliff): From the intersection of SR 32 and SR 160, drive about 2.1 miles north on SR 160 and turn right onto Experimental Forest Road. Once you enter the VF State Forest follow the yellow “A DAY in the WOODS” signs to the event location.

Please use one of the following methods to register by June 6th: Register and pay online at http://go.osu.edu/aditw; call OSU Extension Jackson County 740-286-5044  or email Annie Miller at miller11368@osu.edu .

“A Day in the Woods” and is 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 Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Rio Grande, Hocking College,  Ruffed Grouse Society, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, Pheasants and Quail Forever, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

Southeastern Ohio’s woodlands contain a rich assortment of plants and fungi ranging from Virginia bluebells to delicious morels. The focus of the May 9^th “A Day in the Woods” program will be “Spring Wildflowers and Fungi.” Participants will have the opportunity to interact with naturalists in the stunning and diverse mesic habitat of Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve in Jackson County. “Spring Wildflowers and Fungi” is designed to help you:

• Learn to identify many of the understory plants found in SE Ohio
• Understand the ecology of these plants
• Recognize some common woodland mushrooms
• Become familiar with the many resources available to help you further understand the nutritional and medicinal value of these plants and mushrooms
• Explore understory plants and fungi at the Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve

If you would like to learn more about “Spring Wildflowers and Fungi”, please join us on May 9th for our “A DAY in the WOODS” program at the Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve: 

This program will take place at Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve located at 1703 Lake Katharine Road, Jackson, OH 45640 and runs from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Once inside the preserve follow the yellow A DAY in the WOODS signs to the parking area.  A registration fee of $20 will cover the cost of lunch and program materials. To download a brochure with more details about this program and future programs visit: https://u.osu.edu/seohiowoods .

Please use one of the following methods to register by May 2^nd: Register and pay online at http://go.osu.edu/aditw; call OSU Extension Jackson County 740-286-5044  or email Annie Miller at miller11368@osu.edu .

“A Day in the Woods” and is 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 Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Rio Grande, Hocking College,  Ruffed Grouse Society, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, Pheasants and Quail Forever, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

Southeastern Ohio is blessed with an abundance of woodlands most of which (76%) is owned by family forest owners like you. Each woodland is unique for various reasons including topography, soils and geology, land-use and management history and types of vegetation present. Many of these woodlands contain non-native invasive species that pose significant threats to the overall forest health. Family forest owners are also unique and have a wide variety of reasons for owning their woodlands from enjoying nature and wildlife to supplementing income from timber and non-timber forest products. However, one thing that many family forest owners have in common is their desire to improve the health and condition of their woodlands. Oftentimes, this involves “tackling non-native invasive plants”. For you to set realistic goals for your woodland and to make progress toward these goals it is important to understand its current condition which can determine its future potential.

If you would like to learn more about tackling non-native invasive plants, please join us on April 11 for our “A DAY in the WOODS” program at the Hocking County Fairgrounds to: 

• Learn how to identify invasive plants in your woodlands.
• Understand common herbicide labels and treatment methods.
• Get tips for when and how to control invasives and what to do after treatment.

This program will take place at Hocking County Fairgrounds located at 150 North Homer Avenue, Logan, Ohio 43138 and runs from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Once inside the fairgrounds, turn to the left and follow the yellow A DAY in the WOODS signs to the parking area.  A registration fee of $20 will cover the cost of lunch and program materials. To download a brochure with more details about this program and future programs visit: u.osu.edu/seohiowoods .

Please use one of the following methods to register by April 4th: Register and pay online at go.osu.edu/aditw; call OSU Extension Jackson County 740-286-5044  or email Annie Miller at miller.11368@osu.edu .

“A Day in the Woods” and is 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 Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Rio Grande, Hocking College,  Ruffed Grouse Society, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, Pheasants and Quail Forever, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

Do you want to learn more about the historical use of fire in Ohio? Does understanding the current effects of prescribed fire upon our woodland areas spark your interest? Do you want to better understand the ecology and management of our upland oaks and why these are such important trees? If so, please Ohio State University Extension’s Jim Downs and Dr. Andy Londo for this fascinating program!

To register for this FREE online program please visit the following link: http://go.osu.edu/fire25

This Zoom Webinar will occur on Friday March 28th from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm.

I hope to see you there!

Here is an early view of the 2025 A DAY in the WOODS Program. While the dates for these programs are already set, the exact titles of the workshops and locations are still a work in progress. We hope to have the official brochure for this year released sometime in early March.

April 11^th – Topic: Non-Native Invasive Plants and Ticks. Tentative Location: Hocking County.

May 9^th – Topic: Wildflowers and Fungi. Tentative Location: Jackson County

June 13^th – Topic: Songbirds. Tentative Location: Vinton Furnace State Forest

July 11^th – Topic: Oak and Hickory Ecology and Management. Tentative Location: Vinton Furnace State Forest

August 8^th – Topic: Tree Identification. Ohio Department of Natural Resources Zaleski Complex

September 12^th – Topic: Birds of Prey. Tentative Location: Vinton Furnace State Forest

October 10^th – Topic: Shrub Identification. Location: Hocking County

November 14^th – Topic: Sustainable Timber Harvesting Location: Vinton Furnace State Forest

Please stay tuned to this website for additional information on the programs and registration details!

Can you identify trees with leaves? What about without leaves? Identifying trees in winter can be a real challenge. This is an advanced class for individuals with some tree identification prior knowledge.

The class will begin indoors with samples of various tree twigs. A guide for identifying trees by fruit and twigs will be utilized for a significant portion of the course. We will get into using a dichotomous key. The afternoon portion of the class will hopefully be outside – weather dependent.

If you would like to learn more about identifying trees in the winter time, please join us on February 18th, 2025 for this program.

• Learn the tips and tricks to identifying trees by buds and twigs.
• Understand and utilize a dichotomous key.

This program will take place at Fairfield County Ag Center, located at 831 College Avenue, Suite D, Lancaster, Ohio 43130. The program will run from 9:30 am – 3:00 pm. A registration fee of $40 will cover the costs of the dichotomous key and lunch. Registration is required by 02/12/2025.

Please visit Advanced Winter Tree ID to register for the program. or call Ohio Woodland Stewards Program 614-688-3421.

“A Day in the Woods” and is 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 Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College,  Ruffed Grouse Society, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, Pheasants and Quail Forever, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp is located at 1362 Caves Road, Jackson, Ohio. 

Like a well-managed garden, your woodland will provide more benefits if you invest some of your time and energy managing them. “Forest Stand Improvement”, an interactive outdoor learning opportunity for woodland owners in SE Ohio, will help you to understand the various practices that you can use to improve your woodlands. This program is offered on November 8^th at the Vinton Furnace State Experimental Forest near McArthur and will include the opportunity to tour numerous field sites demonstrating various woodland improvement practices. We will also be providing the opportunity to gain knowledge on one of the most important tools in managing your woodlands, the chainsaw.

If you would like to learn more about Forest Stand Improvement, please join us on November 8th for our “A DAY in the WOODS” program at 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.

This program will take place at Vinton Furnace State Forest near McArthur and runs from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. A registration fee of $15 will cover the cost of lunch and program materials. To download a brochure with more details about this program and future programs visit: https://u.osu.edu/seohiowoods .

Please use one of the following methods to register by November 1st: Register and pay online at http://go.osu.edu/aditw; call OSU Extension Jackson County 740-286-5044 or email Annie Miller at miller.11368@osu.edu.

“A Day in the Woods” and is 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 Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College,  Ruffed Grouse Society, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, Pheasants and Quail Forever, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

Southeastern Ohio is blessed with an abundance of woodlands most of which (76%) is owned by family forest owners like you. Every property is unique for various reasons including topography, soils and geology, land-use and management history and types of vegetation present. Wildlife management is important to most woodland landowners. Just like the diversity in every woodland this program will focus on a variety of different species and their required habitat including songbirds, black bear, bobcat, fisher, gray fox, river otter, beaver, and white-tail deer. Please join us to help learn about setting realistic wildlife goals for your property and ways to achieve them!

If you would like to learn more about Critter Homes: Wildlife Habitat Improvements, please join us on October 11th for our “A DAY in the WOODS” program at 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

This program will take place at Vinton Furnace State Forest near McArthur and runs from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. A registration fee of $15 will cover the cost of lunch and program materials. To download a brochure with more details about this program and future programs visit: https://u.osu.edu/seohiowoods .

Please use one of the following methods to register by October 4th: Register and pay online at http://go.osu.edu/aditw; call OSU Extension Jackson County 740-286-5044 or email Annie Miller at miller.11368@osu.edu.

“A Day in the Woods” and is 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 Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College,  Ruffed Grouse Society, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, Pheasants and Quail Forever, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

The forest is a wonderful and mysterious place especially at night.  Join us on September 13^th for “Night Flyers”.  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:

• 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
• Discover some common and not so common night sounds in the forest
• Search for moths and caterpillars and other nocturnal insects
• 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 program.

This program will take place on September 13th at the Vinton Furnace State from 5:00 to 9:30 PM. A registration fee of $15 will cover the cost of a light evening meal and program materials.

Please use one of the following methods to register by September 6th: Register and pay online at http://go.osu.edu/aditw; call OSU Extension Jackson County 740-286-5044 or email Annie Miller at miller.11368@osu.edu.

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

“A Day in the Woods” and is 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 Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, Ruffed Grouse Society, Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, Pheasants and Quail Forever, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.