Upcoming Events

Posts of upcoming events for woodland owners in SE Ohio

Feral Swine Program on March 10th in Oak Hill

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How many invasive species can you identify in this photo?

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YOU DON’T WANT THIS IN YOUR WOODS!!! Photo courtesy of Craig Hicks, USDA APHIS

From the Wayne National Forest Facebook Page:

The Oak Hill Public Library will sponsor a Feral Swine (WILD BOAR) Program on Thursday, March 10th at 6:00 p.m. in the Jenkins room at the library.

Feral Swine …are quickly becoming an issue in the state of Ohio.
Craig Hicks, Wildlife Disease Biologist /Ohio Feral Swine Coordinator, USDA APHIS Wildlife Services will discuss the growing concerns of the feral swine in Ohio.Two new techs to our area, Cmaeron Gray and Cory Clark along with Ted Witham, Jackson County Wildlife Officer/Ohio Division of Wildlife will also be on hand to help answer questions for the evening.

They’ll be able to show you how the USDA deals with hogs and why it’s important to take these proper steps when dealing with feral swine.
Information covered during the program will include identifying hog sign, what to do, who to contact, potential damage, how to help and Ohio hog status.
If you are interested in attending this free informational program call the library at 740-682-6457 to register

10 Opportunities to Spend “A Day in the Woods” in 2016

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The Education and Demonstration Committee of the the Vinton Furnace State (Experimental) Forest is pleased to announce the following tentative program calendar for 2016. We’ll post a brochure once we work out a few more of the details.

May 13th  Spring edibles – The focus of this program will be on understory herbaceous plants and fungi.

June 10th   Building and Maintaining Woodland Roads and Trails.   Off-site, Hocking State Forest Cabin.  This will be field-based, hands on, get dirty and sweaty program.   Topics will include Best Management practices, trail/road layout and design, maintenance etc.

July 8th Periodical cicadas: How do they affect our trees, woods and wildlife?  2016 is the year for the 17 year cicada.  Although this program will occur after they cicadas have come and gone they will be fresh on our minds and there should be lots of evidence of their visit. We’ll also explore other examples of arthropods and their interactions with trees, forests and wildlife.  (e.g. ticks, mice, deer and humans; and hemlock woolly adelgid (HWA), hemlock and songbirds

Bonus-July 22nd  Summer Tree Identification– Off-site at Hocking College.  The emphasis of this program will be identification based on leaf characteristics.

August 12th   Preparing your woods for an uncertain future. With all of the uncertainty in the future (extreme weather events, invasive species, global markets etc.) it is important to have woods that are diverse and healthy. This program will focus on steps that you can take to manage the risks to your woodland.

Bonus-August 26th   Streams and Streamside Forests.  Off-site, the location to be determined (Raccoon Creek Watershed).  Topics covered will include water quality, watersheds and watershed management, riparian forest buffers, aquatic organisms, electro fishing demo, human impacts etc.

September 9th  Interactions Among Wildlife Populations and Humans. This program will look at wildlife population trends and their relationships to habitat changes due to natural and human caused disturbances, effects of hunting and trapping, introduction of non-natives etc.

October 14th  Propagating Native Trees, Shrubs and Herbs .  Off-site Wayne National Forest HQ, Nelsonville.  Learn how to collect, treat and plant the seeds of woody and herbaceous plants

November 4th  A Night in the Forest.  Focus on night skies (Weather permitting), owls and mammals.

November 18th  Winter Tree Identification. Off site at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp near Jackson.

Day in Woods Logos 2016-web

Notice the addition of the Tree Farm Logo. The Ohio Tree Farm Committee and Glatfelter both recently made a generous donations to support our educational efforts in 2016. Thanks!

 

Jesse Webster From the Great Smoky Mountain National Park featured at November 9th Program on Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

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We’re so excited that Jesse Webster from the Great Smoky Mountain National Park will be visiting the Hocking Hills on November 9th  to discuss options for managing Hemlock Woolly Adelgid.  This excerpt from Jesse’s bio says it all:  “I”m certain that you can do something to save your trees and that you will be glad that you did”.

See the press release and flier below for more details on the program and how you can reserve your seat!!

Jesse Webster- Coordinator for Forest Insect and Disease in Great Smoky Mountain National Park

Printable PDF FLIER:  HWA Nov 9 public mtg flier_10.22.15 (2)

Printable PDF Press Release: HWA NOV 9 Press Release

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“Identifying Trees in Winter” program offered at the Vinton Furnace State Forest on Friday, November 13

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IMG_0784Fall is in the air, and many of the trees in Southeastern Ohio are already shedding their leaves.  This makes tree identification more difficult, but there are still many clues that you can use to identify trees in their leafless state. “Identifying Trees in Winter”, an educational program designed to provide you with the knowledge to differentiate among the variety of trees on your property in the coming winter months, will be offered at the Vinton Furnace State Forest on Friday, November 13 from 9 am to 3:30 pm.  Participants in this program will:

  • Develop an “eye” for bark and tree shape to aid in winter tree identification
  • Learn to use bud and twig characteristics to identify trees
  • Become familiar with tree fruits like acorns and other clues that can be found on the ground
  • Spend “A Day in the Woods” with foresters exploring the variety of trees that can be found at the Vinton Furnace State Forest

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What’s in Your Woods? Offered on October 9 at the Vinton Furnace State Forest

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Mother bobcat and kitten. Photo Courtesy of Suzie Prange ODNR-Division of Wildlife

As the fall-colored leaves start their descent to the ground, wildlife enthusiasts will experience increased visibility and have some great opportunities to see wildlife in the forest. In the Friday, October 9 program “What’s in your Woods?” attendees will learn about trail cameras and other tools and techniques that can be used to observe woodland wildlife, as well as get information about monitoring efforts in southern Ohio. There will be time to explore the Vinton Furnace State Forest for signs of wildlife activity and check out some field sampling techniques. This program will take place at the Vinton Furnace State Forest near McArthur.

GOEA

Golden Eagle in Vinton County. Photo courtesy of Bill Borovicka, USDA Forest Service

Suzie Prange, furbearer biologist with the ODNR-Division of Wildlife; Craig Hicks, wildlife disease biologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service; and Bill Borovicka, supervisory forest technician, U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station will lead classroom and field sessions on the following topics:

-Selecting features for trail cameras

-Choosing locations for wildlife monitoring and how to  set up your site

-Hands-on experience looking for wildlife signs

-Using modern technology for nuisance wildlife

-Current research efforts for bobcats, gray fox, golden eagles, and more

“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 County Soil and Water Conservation District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, National Wild Turkey Federation, Glatfelter and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

The final “2nd Friday Series” program scheduled for 2015 is “Identifying Trees in Winter” (November 13).

For brochures and more information, visit http://u.osu.edu/seohiowoods. A registration fee of $10 will include meal and program materials. To help prepare materials and plan for meals, please RSVP no later than the Monday preceding the event by returning a registration form, calling 740-596-5212 (OSU Extension Vinton County) or emailing Dave at apsley.1@osu.edu.

“Woodland and Prairie Pollinators” offered at the Vinton Furnace State Forest on August 14

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MonarchRight now prairies, meadows, and other open spaces are filled with blooming flowers, colorful butterflies, and the sounds of various insects pollinating colorful blooms. With their small legs, strong wings, and unique markings; pollinators take on a tremendous task to move pollen while they collect nectar. While we most often think of butterflies resting on large colorful blooms with the beautiful wings softly fluttering, many pollinators rely on trees as host plants for their larva. Some pollinators spend most of their lives in the forest feeding on their host plant. Puddles on the forest floor are also a frequent gathering area for butterflies that congregate there to obtain the nutrients that they need.

The August 14, 2015 program will provide an opportunity to learn about how important both open areas and forest habitats are to our native pollinators. Participants will:

Explore the diversity of pollinators found in SE Ohio woodlands

  • Understand the important roles that pollinators play in our ecosystems
  • Become familiar with woodland plants that pollinators utilize
  • Learn how to enhance pollinator habitat in your woods

Guest presenters for this program include Dave Parshall, Ohio Lepidopterists; Marci Lininger, Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative; Heather Stehle, Crane Hollow State Nature Preserve, and Jennifer Finfera, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

“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 the Ohio State University Extension, ODNR-Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Vinton County Soil and Water Conservation District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, National Wild Turkey Federation, Glatfelter and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

Future “2nd Friday Series” programs for 2015 include: Fall Wildflowers and Edibles (Sept.11); Monitoring Woodland Wildlife (Oct. 9) and Identifying Trees in Winter (Nov. 13).

For brochures and more information, visit http://u.osu.edu/seohiowoods. A registration fee of $10 will include meal and program materials. To help prepare materials and plan for meals, please RSVP no later than the Monday preceding the event by returning a registration form, calling 740-596-5212 (OSU Extension Vinton County) or emailing Dave at apsley.1@osu.edu.

 Second Friday Series Brochure 2015

Directions – Experimental Forest

Day in the Woods Partners

Day in the Woods Partners

 

“Identifying the Trees in you Woods”-BONUS Day in the Woods Program- Offered at Hocking College on July 24

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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.  The program “Identifying the Trees in Your Woods” will introduce you to a simple process.  Participants will learn to use a simple leaf key to guide them.  After lunch, there will be an opportunity to take a walk with foresters to reinforce leaf identification skills and to learn to use other characteristics, such as bark, branching, tree form, and site to help identify trees.

This program will take place at on July 24 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Natural Resources Building (Room 112) on the Hocking College campus located at 3301 Hocking Parkway, Nelsonville, OH 45764.  The Natural Resources building is located on the north end of the campus. Parking is available in the North Lot located on the east side of Hocking Parkway (Hocking College Campus – Parking Map).    A registration fee of $10 will include lunch and program materials.  To help prepare materials and plan for meals, please RSVP no later than the Monday, July 20 by returning a registration form, calling 740-596-5212 (OSU Extension Vinton County) or emailing Dave at apsley.1@osu.edu.

“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 the Ohio State University Extension, Hocking College, ODNR-Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, Vinton County Soil and Water Conservation District, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Wild Turkey Federation, Glatfelter and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

Future “2nd Friday Series” programs scheduled to take place at the Vinton Furnace State Forest in 2015 include:  Pollinators in the Woods (Aug. 14); Fall Wildflowers and Edibles (Sept.11); Monitoring Woodland Wildlife (Oct. 9) and Identifying Trees in Winter (Nov. 13).

Second Friday Series Brochure 2015

Hocking College Campus – Parking Map

http://www.hocking.edu/campuses/maincampus

 

 

 

Day in the Woods Partners

Day in the Woods Partners

 

 

 

 

 

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid program offered at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp on April 6th

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HWA Lake K22IMG_1269Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA) was recently discovered at Lake Katharine State State Nature Preserve in Jackson County.  This nonnative invasive pest has the potential to cause widespread mortality in Ohio’s hemlock forests.

Ohio State UniversityExtension is working with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Divisions of Forestry, and Natural Areas and Preserves) to offer an educational program “Hemlock Woolly Adelgid-A pest threatining the hemlocks in Jackson County” on April 6th at Canter’s Cave 4-H camp.  

Join us at Canter’s Cave to:

  • Experience the magnificent hemlock trees at Canter’s Cave 4-H Camp
  • Understand the importance of hemlock trees to tourism and the environment in Ohio
  • Learn the significance of hemlock stands at Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve and the Rock Run area of Jackson County
  • Become aware of the serious threat that Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA), a nonnative invasive insect, poses to hemlock trees in the eastern US
  • Receive updates on the current status of HWA in Ohio and at Lake Katharine
  • Learn about Ohio’s Efforts to proactively manage HWA
  • Join in our effort to detect this pest and spread the word

 Program Flyer:  HWA Fyer 4-6-15 Canter’s Cave

 Link to directions to Canter’s Cave: http://4hcanterscave.osu.edu/find-us/directions

Hemlock Woolly Adelgid in Ohio Publication: http://ohioline.osu.edu/pdf/b962-14.pdf

      Thanks to Our Partners:

DNAP and Forestry Logo

 

 

Day in the Woods-2nd Friday Series program finalized for 2015

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” A Day in the Woods-2nd Friday Series” is designed to provide landowners and folks with an interest in natural resources opportunities to learn about and care for woodlands.  The 12,000 acre Vinton Furnace State Forest is one the premier research and demonstration forests in the United States, and it’s right in our back yard near McArthur.

May July

From left to right: A Night in the Forest (May 8; 6:30 PM); Maintaining a Healthy Woodland (June12); Historic Land Use: How it shaped our forests (July 10) and Tree Identification at Hocking College (July 24)

Aug-Nov

From left to right: Woodland Pollinators (August 14); Fall Edibles and Understory Plants (September 11); What’s in Your Woods (October 9) and Identifying Trees in Winter (November 13).

“A Day in the Woods” provides you with multiple occasions to interact with foresters, wildlife biologists, natural resources professionals and your peers in a setting that is ideal for learning about southeastern Ohio’s woodlands. Beginning on May 8th with “A Night in the Forest,” the “2nd Friday Series” will offer day-long programs on a variety of topics through November 13.

A PDF version of a brochure with program details is available here: Second Friday Series Brochure 2015

Most “2nd Friday Series” programs run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  However, the initial program “A Night in the Forest” begins at 6:30 pm and ends at 10 pm.  A registration fee of $10 will include lunch (or evening snack) and program materials.

“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 the Ohio State University Extension, ODNR-Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife, US Forest Service, Vinton County Soil and Water Conservation District, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Hocking College, National Wild Turkey Federation, Glatfelter and Ohio’s SFI Implementation Committee.

Day in the Woods Partners

“A Day in the Woods/2nd Friday Series” partners

For more information contact Dave Apsley apsley.1@osu.edu or 740-710-3009.

Directions – Experimental Forest