Upcoming Events

Posts of upcoming events for woodland owners in SE Ohio

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

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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

 

 

“Tending Your Woodland” offered by “A DAY in the WOODS” to woodland owners in SE Ohio at the Vinton Furnace State Forest on October 8th

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Like a garden, your woodland will likely provide more benefits if you give it some attention. “Tending Your Woodland”, 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 October 8 at the Vinton Furnace State Experimental Forest near McArthur and will include the opportunity to tour numerous field sites demonstrating various practices that have been established since the early 1950’s.   Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Explore crop tree management (CTM), a technique that can increase the growth rate of trees to produce more wildlife food, timber and other benefits
  • Learn about Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) and how it can help your woodland become more productive
  • Understand various techniques that can be utilized to enhance oak regeneration in your woodlands.
  • Become aware of the wide array of options available to woodland owners who are contemplating a timber harvest.
  • Know where to get the advice and resources that will help you tend your woodland

“Tending your Woodland” will take place at the Vinton Furnace State Forest near McArthur on October 8, 2021, from 9 AM to 3 PM.

A registration fee of $12 per person (payable on the day of the event by cash or check to Vinton SWCD) entitles participants to program materials and a box lunch.  Registration is required.  Please RSVP on or before October 4 by emailing Dave Apsley at apsley.1@osu.edu, or by calling Cheri Porter or Dave Runkle at the Vinton SWCD (740-596-5676).

We plan to hold most of this program outdoors in the woods.   We will follow the COVID-19 protocols that are in place at the time.   Please bring a face covering to use when:

  • you are indoors and not fully vaccinated
  • it makes you comfortable

The Vinton Furnace State Forest is in a very remote portion of Vinton County.  Signs will be posted on the morning of the event along the route from both entrances.

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, USDA-Forest Service (Northern Research Station, State and Private Forestry and the Wayne NF), USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Vinton-Hocking-Athens Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Central State University Extension, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pixelle Specialty Solutions, Ohio Tree Farm Committee, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, the Ruffed Grouse Society, Ohio Forestry Association Foundation and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee. Since 2012, “A Day in the Woods” has offered nearly 80 programs with more than 100 presenters for nearly 4,000 woodland owners and enthusiasts just like you.

 

Women Owning Woodlands-Overview of EQIP Practices and Funding

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Overview of EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program) Practices and Funding for Woodlands

Tues., November 12th, 5:00- 7:30 p.m.

  • Join us for this session in person or via webinar. All are welcome!
  • We will kick off at 5:00 p.m. with a potluck and social
  • @ 6 p.m. Jamie Regula, State Service Forester, ODNR Division of Forestry will share on the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) from NRCS
  • Learn about forest and wildlife management practices and potential funding.
  • LOCATION: Meet us in person at ODNR, 360 E. State Street, Athens or you can sign in via webinar and join us from afar!
  • Please register in advance and let-us know whether you plan to join in person or via webinar.
  • Contact: jdahl@centralstate.edu to register or call 740-279-0656

“Timber Harvesting-Things to Consider” program held at Zaleski State Forest on Friday, September 13

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Timber harvest is a tool you can utilize to not only provide much needed income, but also to help you achieve a wide range of goals from improving forest health to enhancing wildlife habitat. However, without proper planning and implementation, harvests can have long-term negative consequences for your woodland and for your family’s ability to earn a sustainable income from your property in the future.

Timber Harvesting-Things to Consider, a program designed to help you make informed decisions about harvesting timber, will take place at the Zaleski – ODNR Complex on September 13.  If you are thinking about selling timber in the future, consider attending this workshop where you will have the opportunity to:

  • Learn how to make sure your timber harvest is compatible with your goal
  • Obtain information on how to market and sell your timber to ensure you receive a competitive price
  • Understand where to get help with planning and implementation of your timber harvest
  • Visit properly planned and implemented timber harvests at Zaleski State Forest
  • Learn about Call Before You Cut (1-877-424-8288 or http://callB4Ucut.com) and other available resources

The program starts at 9:00 AM and ends at 3:30 PM. A registration fee of $12 will cover the cost of lunch and program materials.  Please RSVP by calling OSU Extension Vinton County at 740-596-5212, or email Dave Apsley at apsley.1@osu.edu by September 9. The Zaleski ODNR Complex is located at 29371 Wheelabout Road, McArthur, Ohio 45651

Directions to Zaleski ODNR complex: ZaleskiDrivingMapRevised4-13-15PDF-26r6cke

Parking information and Aerial image of Zaleski- ODNR complex: Zaleski ODNR Complex Aerial (002)-1fe4042

For a brochure with registration information, click here: A DAY in THE WOODS 2019 Brochure Final Low Res-20zbq6d

“A Day in the Woods” and the “2nd Friday Series” programs run from May through November and are sponsored by the Education and Demonstration Subcommittee of the Vinton Furnace State Forest with support from Ohio State University Extension, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife, Central State University Extension, USDA Forest Service, Vinton County Soil and Water Conservation District, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pixelle Specialty Solutions, Ohio Tree Farm Committee, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

 

“Family Day in the Woods” offered to kids of all ages at the Vinton Furnace State Forest on Saturday, September 14th

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The public is invited to attend Family Day in the Woods, a free and family friendly event at Vinton Furnace State Forest on Saturday, September 14th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be activities tailored for kids (grades K-12) as well as adults to foster good environmental stewardship in the future. We will also specifically have some programming targeting high school youth (including FFA and 4-H) that focuses on career exploration in natural resources.

Fun, hands-on activities will include wagon rides through the woods, nature hikes, forest wildlife, pollinators and insects, forestry tools and science, tree identification, woodland soils, wildfire prevention with Smokey Bear, and a portable sawmill. All activities will be on a morning and afternoon rotation, so feel free come either half of the day, or stay for it all.

The Vinton Furnace State Forest is located in one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the United States and home to more than 50 years of ongoing research by scientists from the USDA Forest Service’s lab in Delaware, Ohio.

Please RSVP by September 10th to help us prepare, though day of drop-ins are also welcome. RSVP to Ohio State University Extension Vinton County by calling (740) 596-5212, or to Dave Apsley via email at apsley.1@osu.edu.

For a map with directions to help you find the forest, click here: Directions – Experimental Forest

For a brochure with registration information, click here: A DAY in THE WOODS 2019 Brochure Final Low Res-20zbq6d

“A Day in the Woods” and the “2nd Friday Series” programs run from May through November and are sponsored by the Education and Demonstration Subcommittee of the Vinton Furnace State Forest with support from Ohio State University Extension, Ohio Department of Natural Resources Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife, Central State University Extension, USDA Forest Service, Vinton County Soil and Water Conservation District, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pixelle Specialty Solutions, Ohio Tree Farm Committee, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

“Hemlock Forests and Night Sounds” program offered at Camp Oty’Okwa near the Hocking Hills on Friday, August 9th

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While hiking through the Hocking Hills, it might seem like you’ve stepped into an unfamiliar world. This is largely due to the role of hemlock trees in the ecosystem. Join us on August 9th, 2:00 PM – 9:30 PM as we travel into the hemlock forests. This program will consist of an afternoon session, where we immerse ourselves in the hemlocks to learn about a range of topics including geology of the Hocking Hills, wildlife and stream ecology, and what natural resource professionals are doing to combat hemlock woolly adelgid, an invasive insect species. After dinner, we will become nocturnal creatures during an interactive presentation from Kevin Dodge from Garrett College in McHenry, Maryland. After learning and becoming familiar with the night sounds of Appalachian forests, we will take a short night hike to listen and learn.

This event will take place at Camp Oty’Okwa in South Bloomingville, OH near the Hocking Hills State Park. A $12 registration cost entitles participants to dinner and program materials. Spots are limited so be sure to RSVP quickly but no later than August 5th. Register by mailing a registration form, calling 740-596-5212 (OSU Extension Vinton County) or emailing Dave at apsley.1@osu.edu.

*IMPORTANT* The first half of this event will include a short hike with moderate elevation changes but low difficulty.

For a map with directions, click here: Directions to Camp Oty’Okwa.

For a brochure with registration information, click here: A DAY in THE WOODS 2019 Brochure Final Low Res-20zbq6d

Since 2012, “A Day in the Woods” has offered more than 60 programs with more than 100 presenters for woodland owners and enthusiasts just like you.

“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, USDA-Forest Service (Northern Research Station, State and Private Forestry and the Wayne NF), USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Vinton-Hocking-Athens Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Central State University Extension, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pixelle Specialty Solutions, Ohio Tree Farm Committee, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, the Ruffed Grouse Society, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

“Woodland Stewardship Opportunities” program offered at the Vinton Furnace State Forest on Friday, July 12th

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Families, just like yours, own approximately 3/4 of the 8.1 million acres of woodlands in Ohio. Yet often folks do not know where to turn for advice and assistance when they need it. This program is specifically designed for you, the family woodland owner. It will cover a wide range of resources that are available to help you care for the woodlands on your property. There are many different reasons to manage your woodlands, and several of those options will be discussed at this program. Foresters, wildlife biologists, and other natural resource professionals from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, local Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Ohio State University Extension will be on hand to answer your questions and discuss how they can help you to improve the health of your woodland.

This program will take place on July 12 from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM at the Vinton Furnace State Forest, near McArthur, OH.

For a map with directions to help you find the forest, click here: Directions – Experimental Forest

For a brochure with registration information, click here: A DAY in THE WOODS 2019 Brochure Final Low Res-20zbq6d

A $12 registration fee entitles participants to lunch and program materials.  To help us make preparations,  please RSVP no later than Monday, July 8 by mailing a registration form, calling 740-596-5212 (OSU Extension Vinton County) or emailing Dave at apsley.1@osu.edu.

Since 2012, “A Day in the Woods” has offered more than 60 programs with more than 100 presenters for woodland owners and enthusiasts just like you.

“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, USDA-Forest Service (Northern Research Station, State and Private Forestry and the Wayne NF), USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Vinton-Hocking-Athens Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Central State University Extension, the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pixelle Specialty Solutions, Ohio Tree Farm Committee, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, the Ruffed Grouse Society, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

 

“Woodland Wildlife Habitat” offered by A DAY in the WOODS – 2nd Friday Series partners at the Vinton Furnace State Forest on November 9

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Two-thirds of Ohio’s woodlands are located in our Appalachian Counties.  These woodlands are often dominated by oak and hickory trees that provide important habitat for a wide variety of wildlife species.  On November 9, biologists from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources-Division of Wildlife, Ohio University and the National Wild Turkey Federation will be on hand at the Vinton Furnace State Forest to help us to explore “Woodland Wildlife Habitat” and the critters that use it. This program will provide opportunities for attendees to:

  • Discover the variety woodland wildlife habitats that can be found in our Appalachian woodlands
  • Learn about bears, bobcats and other critters that rely on these habitats
  • Find out about ways that you can help to improve these habitats and their ability to provide food, water, cover and space for wildlife in your area
  • Learn how to effectively use trail cameras and other techniques to monitor the variety of habitats in your woods

This program will take place at the Vinton Furnace State Forest from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.   A registration fee of $12 will cover the cost of lunch and program materials.  Please RSVP by calling OSU Extension Vinton County at 740-596-5212, or email Dave Apsley at apsley.1@osu.edu by November 5.

Directions – Experimental Forest

A DAY in THE WOODS 2018 Brochure – Low Res-wyeaef

“A DAY in the WOOD” and the “2nd Friday Series” are sponsored by the Education and Demonstration Subcommittee of the Vinton Furnace State Forest.  The principal partners in this effort include Ohio State University Extension, ODNR-Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Vinton County Soil and Water Conservation District, National Wild Turkey Federation, Glatfelter, Ohio Tree Farm Committee, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, Central State University Extension, The Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative, the Ruffed Grouse Society, and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

Since 2012, “A DAY in the WOODS” has offered 60 programs with approximately 2,400 participants attending.  More than 100 natural resources professionals have presented these programs to woodland owners and enthusiast just like you.  If you are interested in keeping up to date about educational opportunities for woodland owners and enthusiasts in Appalachian Ohio, subscribe to our web page at http://u.osu.edu/seohiowoods or email apsley.1@osu.edu to be added to our email list-serve. Be sure to make the time to enjoy “A Day in the Woods”!