FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2010
Family forest owners invited to August 28 field day
Educational event packed with information on successful stewardship
OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Washington State University (WSU) Extension, along with many other sponsors, are expecting several hundred forestland owners to attend the Oregon-Washington Family Forest Owners Field Day near Ridgefield in Clark County on August 28.
“These events are very popular with forest owners – more than 8,000 have attended at venues all across the state,” said DNR Forest Stewardship Program Manager, Steve Gibbs. “Landowners really appreciate the practical how-to information they receive.”
When: August 28, 2010; Gates open at 8:00 a.m.; Hourly educational presentations are from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Plas Newydd Tree Farm, Ridgefield, Clark County
Directions:
From North:
• From I-5 take Exit 16.
• Turn west onto NW 319th St., then immediately left (south) onto NW 31st Ave.
• Go 1.4 miles to NW 289th St. and turn right (west) onto NW 289th St.
• Go 1.9 miles to NW 71st Ave. (NW 289th St. turns sharply right, then left, and becomes NW 291st St.)
• Turn right (north) onto NW 71st Ave. (NW 71st Ave. will become NW Lancaster Rd.)
• Go 1.8 miles to Field Day entrance on right.
• Watch for large, yellow “Forest Owners Field Day” signs.
From South:
• From I-5 take Exit 14.
• Turn west on SR 501 and go .7 miles to roundabout.
• Turn right (north) onto NW 45th Ave. (NW 45th Ave. will become NW 31st Ave.)
• Go .9 miles to NW 289th St.
• Turn left (west) onto NW 289th St.
• Go 1.9 miles to NW 71st Ave. (NW 289th St. turns sharply right, then left, and becomes NW 291st St. along the way).
• Turn right (north) onto NW 71st Ave.
• Go 1.8 miles to Field Day entrance on right. (NW 71st Ave. becomes NW Lancaster Rd.)
• Watch for large, yellow “Forest Owners Field Day” signs.
Registration is $20 per person/$30 per family by advance mail registration or $30/$40 on the day of the event. A barbecue lunch also is available if ordered in advance.
Complete event and registration details are available at http://ext.wsu.edu/forestry/ . For questions or to have an event brochure mailed to you, call Washington State University Extension at (509) 667-6540.
Participants will be able to choose from nearly two dozen topics, which will help them better care for their lands. Topics include:
• Introduction to forestry for new owners
• Identifying trees and shrubs
• Reforestation, thinning and pruning
• Weed control
• Forest health
• Wildlife habit improvement
• Non-timber forest products
• Mushroom culture
• Native American uses of the land
• Chainsaw safety
• Forest songbirds
• Forestry property tax programs
• Reducing wildfire risk
• Measuring trees
• Using global positioning devices
• How to conduct a successful timber sale
The Forest Stewardship Program
The Forest Stewardship Program provides free on-site forest management advice to owners of five or more forested acres. The program, administered by DNR’s Small Forest Landowner Office, is part of a nationwide landowner assistance program, financially supported by the USDA Forest Service.
Media Contact: Janet Pearce, Communications and Outreach, 360-902-1122, janet.pearce@dnr.wa.gov
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