Southwest PA Woodland Owners host visit
The Southwest Pennsylvania Woodland Owners and the Pennsylvania Tree Farm System are hosting an all-day walk in the woods with advice from experts from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 18. The event is free to the public and includes a complimentary breakfast and lunch, but participants must register by Sept. 8. To register, go online to http://busybeaver.cs.pitt.edu/swpwo/wow or write SWPWO at 2506 Hollywood Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.
The woodland walk will take place at the Burnham woodlot in East Finley, 30 minutes south of Washington. Directions will be provided at registration. The day will feature talks and demonstrations on such topics as crop-tree management, small-scale milling and drying of lumber, blight-resistant chestnut trees, habitat development and switch grass. Among the presenters will be professional foresters Arlyn Perkey, Tom Fitzgerald, Bob McBride and Jim Elze; Gary Micsky of Penn State Extension; and Jose Taracido of the farm and habitat program at California University of Pennsylvania.
John Burnham, the host of the event, is a past president of SWPWO and has been nominated Pennsylvania Tree Farmer of the Year.
Westmoreland Woodlands Improvement Association is assisting SWPWO with the day’s events. WWIA holds regular programs and field trips throughout the year.
For more information, go online to the Westmoreland Conservation District website at www.wcdpa.com.