- April 8
- 2:00
- $5
- James Madison's Montpelier, Montpelier Station
Venture into the Montpelier Demonstration Forest on a two-hour hike with experts in forest conservation. Learn about conservation and cultivation strategies that generate mutual benefit to man and nature.
Invasive Plant Identification and Treatment Methods
- April 10
- 6:30 - 8:30
- $20
- Albemarle HIgh School, Charlottesville
Non-native invasive plants are quickly overwhelming many properties by tearing down the forest canopy and overtaking our native plants at the tree, shrub and/or groundcover levels. These plants are also overwhelming the ability of many landowners to understand what invasive plants exist on their land and what it will take to control them. This session will cover:
- How to identify and treat some of the most common and destructive invasive plants in this area
- Pros and cons of different methods to remove invasive plants
- What methods can be used in late fall and over the winter
- Where to obtain various kinds of assistance
- Discussion of where to source equipment and herbicides
- Availability of additional training and information
Register on-line. Contact Blue Ridge Prism for more information.
Managing Emerald Ash Borer and Other Tree Pests in Our Woodlands
- April 26
- 1 - 4:00
- $5/person; $10/household (includes materials and refreshments)
- Miller Park, Lynchburg
Learn how to identify and manage common woodland pests.
Contact Jason Fisher, jasonf@vt.edu, 434-476-2147, for more information.
Virginia Forestry Summit: Brilliant Achievements, Bold Horizons
- May 2-4
- Omni, Richmond
- Register on-line
- Come help celebrate the Virginia Forestry Association's 75th anniversary!
Shiitake Mushroom Growing Demonstration
- May 3
- 8-11:30
- Madison County Farmer's Market, Madison
- Free
Learn how to grow your very own shiitake mushrooms at this open house demonstration.
Contact Adam Downing, adowning@vt.edu, 540-948-6881, for more information.
Quail Management Workshop and Tour
- May 8
- 8:45 - 3:30
- Grace Chruch Parish Hall, 9986 Purdy Rd, Jarratt
- Free - please register by April 30th
At this program you will hear about: the latest findings from Tall Timbers Research Station’s Quail Management Handbook (results of having studied over 30,000 quail); opportunities for landowner forestry and wildlife cost-share programs; and a landowners / manager’s perspective.
In addition, we’ll tour River’s Edge Farm, hosted by the Jones family. This award-winning farm has examples of many different wildlife management techniques including long-leaf pine plantings, native grasses and wildflowers, and more (and they have quail).
Lunch will be provided by Southside Virginia Quail Forever free (but donations will be accepted).
Registration is free, but limited to 75 participants. Please reserve your space by April 30th by calling 757-653-2572.
For more information, contact Marc Puckett at marc.puckett@dgif.virginia.gov.
Emerald Ash Borer - What are my Treatment Options?
- May 9
- 1-4:00
- Ivy Creek Natural Area, Charlottesville
Learn about the emerald ash borer and the resources available to homeowners and landowners dealing with this exotic invasive pest.
Contact Meredith Bean, meredith.bean@dof.virginia.gov, 434-296-2369, for more information.
Learn and Burn: Prescribed Burning on Private Lands
- May 10 (Rain date May 17)
- 9 - 5:00
- Airfield Conference Center, Wakefield
- $15 (inc. lunch)
Learn the why and how of using prescribed fire to manage your woodlands. A morning classroom session will cover burning laws, weather conditions, reasons for using prescribed fire, assistance programs, and tools. After lunch, all participants will have a chance to gain hands-on experience lighting and managing a woodland prescribed fire.
In order to safely burn, you must wear appropriate attire. We will provide Nomex shirts and pants (please include your sizes when registering), hard hats, safety glasses, and leather gloves. You must wear long pants and leather boots.
Register on-line (avail. March 12), or register by mail. Contact Jennifer Gagnon, jgagnon@vt.edu, 540-231-6391, for more information. Participation is limited to 30 landowners.
Backyard Woods Workshop
- May 10 & 17
- 6 - 9:00 pm
- Free
- Includes refreshments and a Woods in Your Backyard guide
- Cascades Library, Potomac Falls
DESCRIPTION
Small lots are a big deal. The vast majority of landowners in Virginia own less than 10 acres. By enhancing wooded areas or creating natural areas on your lot, you can enjoy recreation, aesthetics, wildlife and improved water quality and the air you breathe. Owners of even just a few acres can make a positive difference in their environment through planning and implementing simple stewardship practices learned at this workshop.
Contact Jim Hilleary, jim.hilleary@vt.edu, 703-777-0373 for more information.
Sources of Conservation Funding Workshop
- May 10
- Jack's Shop Kitchen, Ruckersville
- 6 - 8:00
- Free - Dinner provided, registration required
There are a wide variety of land management and land conservation programs offered by private non-profit organizations as well as local, state, and federal conservation agencies. Please join PEC and our partners as we provide a comprehensive overview of the available programs and sources of funding available for your property.
Contact Piedmont Environmental Council, 434-977-2033, for more information.
Backyard Woods Workshop
- May 12
- 9 - 2:00
- Free
- Includes lunch and a Woods in Your Backyard guide
- Rust Library, Leesburg
DESCRIPTION
Small lots are a big deal. The vast majority of landowners in Virginia own less than 10 acres. By enhancing wooded areas or creating natural areas on your lot, you can enjoy recreation, aesthetics, wildlife and improved water quality and the air you breathe. Owners of even just a few acres can make a positive difference in their environment through planning and implementing simple stewardship practices learned at this workshop.
Contact Jim Hilleary, jim.hilleary@vt.edu, 703-777-0373 for more information.
Emerald Ash Borer - What are my Management Options?
- May 14
- 1-4:00
- Claytor Nature Study Center, Bedford
Learn about the emerald ash borer and the resources available to homeowners and landowners dealing with this exotic invasive pest.
Contact Meredith Bean, meredith.bean@dof.virginia.gov, 434-296-2369, for more information.
Invasive Plant Identification and Treatment Methods
- May 15
- 6:30 - 8:30
- $20
- Albemarle High School, Charlottesville
Non-native invasive plants are quickly overwhelming many properties by tearing down the forest canopy and overtaking our native plants at the tree, shrub and/or groundcover levels. These plants are also overwhelming the ability of many landowners to understand what invasive plants exist on their land and what it will take to control them. This session will cover:
- How to identify and treat some of the most common and destructive invasive plants in this area
- Pros and cons of different methods to remove invasive plants
- What methods can be used in late fall and over the winter
- Where to obtain various kinds of assistance
- Discussion of where to source equipment and herbicides
- Availability of additional training and information
Register on-line. Contact Blue Ridge Prism for more information.
Sources of Conservation Funding Workshop
- May 16
- Waterford Old School, Waterford
- 5:30 - 7:30
- Free - dinner provided, registration required
There are a wide variety of land management and land conservation programs offered by private non-profit organizations as well as local, state, and federal conservation agencies. Please join PEC and our partners as we provide a comprehensive overview of the available programs and sources of funding available for your property.
Contact Piedmont Environmental Council, 434-977-2033, for more information.
9th Annual CPS Vegetation Management Workshop
- May 17
- Time TBD
- $40 inc. lunch
- Children's Home of the Virginia Baptist, Petersburg
Topics will include:
- New invasive weeds
- Drones & vegetation management
- Forest health
- Chemistry & products
- Pollinator protection
- Regulatory update
- Whitetail deer update
- Application techniques
- Pine control
- Herbaceous weed control
- Selectivity & wildlife considerations
- Safety & aerial application
- What's trending in the industry
VA, WVA, MD, NC pesticide recertification (forestry, row, aquatics, reg. tech) SAF CFE Credits, ISA credits, and SHARP Logger credits will be offered.
Registration by May 10th is required.
Register by mail or contact Charles Smyth at: charles.smyth@cpsagu.com.
Spring Venture Outdoors Tree ID Series
- May 18
- 10 - 3:00
- $20/person; $30/couple
- Wedgewood Golf Center, Halifax
Are you a forest landowner who wants to know more about your trees? Each spring Virginia Cooperative Extension offers one-day short courses on management options for forestland in Southside Virginia and this year for the first time we will focus on tree identification – where it all begins! After lunch there will be an update on invasive plants and insects and a short field trip.
Register on-line or by mail at last 5 days prior to the event.
Contact Jason Fisher, jasonf@vt.edu, 434-476-2147, for more information.
Forest Farmer Field Day
- May 19-20
- All day
- $15 - includes lunch
- Duffield
Tour the Appalachian Harvest herb hub and discuss the economics of cultivating forest-grown medicinal herbs. After lunch, tour Ryan Huish’s farm to learn about his plans for cultivating forest herbs and site selection.
Visit the Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmers Coalition or contact Holly Chithum, hollykc@vt.edu, for more information.
Sources of Conservation Funding Workshop
- May 22
- Hill School, Middleburg
- 6 - 8:00
- Free - Dinner provided, registration required
There are a wide variety of land management and land conservation programs offered by private non-profit organizations as well as local, state, and federal conservation agencies. Please join PEC and our partners as we provide a comprehensive overview of the available programs and sources of funding available for your property.
Contact Piedmont Environmental Council, 434-977-2033, for more information.
Spring Venture Outdoors Tree ID Series
- May 24
- 10 - 3:00
- $20/person; $30/couple
- CVCC Campus, Lynchburg
Are you a forest landowner who wants to know more about your trees? Each spring Virginia Cooperative Extension offers one-day short courses on management options for forestland in Southside Virginia and this year for the first time we will focus on tree identification – where it all begins! After lunch there will be an update on invasive plants and insects and a short field trip.
Register on-line or by mail at least 5 days prior to the event.
Contact Jason Fisher, jasonf@vt.edu, 434-476-2147, for more information.
Logging Cost Analysis
- June 12-13
- $395 (inc. lunch on June 12)
- Cunningham Research Station, Kinston, NC
This course will cover both principles and applications of logging cost analysis techniques from the perspective of wood dealers, procurement foresters, and independent logging contractors. Course content will focus on methods for evaluating historic production and cost records within the context of the evolving wood supply chain. Spreadsheet models will be reviewed and provided to participants for hands-on training involving modifications necessary to assess and simulate a range of harvesting systems, techniques, and equipment mix variations. Upon completion of this course, participants should be well-equipped to better evaluate logging costs using a range of techniques.
Click here for more information and to register.
Working Woods Walk
- July 15
- 2:00
- $5
- James Madison's Montpelier, Montpelier Station
Venture into the Montpelier Demonstration Forest on a two-hour hike with experts in forest conservation. Learn about conservation and cultivation strategies that generate mutual benefit to man and nature.
Natural History of the Great Smoky Mountains
- August 4-11
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- $590 for food and lodging + tuition
If you’re interested in the Great Smoky Mountains or the southern Appalachians in general–the water, air, land, people, plants, wildlife, and more–consider this Virginia Tech course. This is a three-credit course offered by the Virginia Tech Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation. People who are not degree-seeking Virginia Tech students may still participate in the course as special, non-degree students; an application process to Virginia Tech for that status is required.
For more information about the course, contact Alan Raflo at (540) 231-5463 or araflo@vt.edu.
For an audio take on biodiversity and how Virginia Tech’s Great Smoky Mountains course focuses on that topic, have a listen to Virginia Water Radio Episode 260 (4-6-15), Biodiversity in Virginia and the Southern Appalachian Mountains (4 min./27 sec.).
SW Virginia Beginning Landowner Weekend Retreat
- August 17-19, 2018
- SW Virginia 4-H Educational Center, Abingdon
- Registration opens June
SE Virginia Beginning Landowner Weekend Retreat
- September 21-23, 2018
- New Kent Forestry Center, Providence Forge
- Registration opens July
Working Woods Walk
- October 21
- 2:00
- $5
- James Madison's Montpelier, Montpelier Station
Venture into the Montpelier Demonstration Forest on a two-hour hike with experts in forest conservation. Learn about conservation and cultivation strategies that generate mutual benefit to man and nature.
*Meal(s) included; **Meal(s) and lodging included