Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
10/3/00
Contacts:
Paul Wray, Extension Forestry, (515) 294-1168, phw@iastate.edu
Elaine Edwards, Extension Communication Systems, (515)
294-5168, eedwards@iastate.edu
Central Region Woodland Stewardship Conference Scheduled
AMES, Iowa -- Southwest Iowa forest landowners interested in learning how to better manage their forested land are encouraged to attend the third annual central region woodland stewardship conference set for Nov. 18, 2000. The conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lied Conference Center, Arbor Day Farm, Nebraska City, Neb.
"Woodland owners in Iowa and the Midwest own and manage woodlands and forests for a variety of reasons, from sawlog production to wildlife habitat to the natural beauty of the woodland," according to Paul H. Wray, Iowa State University Extension forester and conference coordinator. "This conference has been designed to present tips on the management of woodlands for the range of landowner goals and objectives."
Because of landowners' diverse interests, the conference offers a variety of programs designed to help make them better stewards of the natural resources found on their property. For landowners interested in growing timber as a crop, part of the conference will focus on management aspects to improve the woodland resource and the economic returns from products that are grown and harvested from existing woodlands or a forest plantation. Topics in this area include pruning trees for quality, woody plant identification, chainsaw maintenance and safety, drying lumber and estimating timber volume and value.
For landowners with non-timber interests, the conference will include presentations on managing woodlands for wildlife, managing grasslands for wildlife, establishing and maintaining prairies and using fire as a management tool.
For landowners interested in possible ways to diversify their income, the conference features presentations on common edible and medicinal wild plants, herbaceous plants that grow under the woodland trees, edible landscape plants for people and wildlife and working trees in the landscape.
The conference early registration fee is $30 per person and includes a continental breakfast and a luncheon. Registration after Nov. 13 will be $35 per person. A conference brochure, which includes a registration form, is available at county extension offices, county Natural Resource Conservation (NRCS) offices or by contacting Paul Wray, extension forester, 253 Bessey Hall, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011 (515) 294-1168 or by e-mail phw@iastate.edu.
The conference is co-sponsored by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Kansas Forest Service, Missouri Department of Conservation, Nebraska Forest Service and Cooperative Extension from Iowa State University, Kansas State University, University of Missouri and the University of Nebraska.
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.