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30th Annual Rural Landowner Workshop.

• Saturday, March 4, 2023, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Early Bird Registration deadline: Friday, February 17, 2023. Cost: $35.00 per person; this includes lunch, a copy of the seminar proceedings, and all handout materials ($45 if received after February 17th). Click here to download full program brochure. For a fillable registration form click here.

Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. Refreshments/Exhibits in Cafeteria

Opening Session - Academic Room: 9:15-10:15 a.m.

What’s That Below Your Feet? – Understanding and Preserving Soils in your Forest and Woodlands. Soil Scientists, Zachary Warning and Matt Havens, with the Natural Resources Conservation Service will discuss the major components of forest soils, how the soils and plants interact, and how to protect your forest soils from common threats, such as erosion and compaction.

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. CONCURRENT SESSION I (PICK ONE)

The Use of Slash Walls to Regenerate and Restore Woodlands. Peter Smallidge, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University. Deer impacts on forest vegetation can limit an owner’s ability to sustain and grow seedlings. Slash walls are a proven and cost-effective tactic to exclude deer.Learn best practices for building slash walls and what to expect from forest vegetation inside the slash wall.

Walking the Pathways of Invasion: How to Stop the Spread of Invasive Species, Douglas Knoph, WNY PRISM Field Operations Manager. Invasive species can be introduced to new areas by various natural or man-made vectors, from a slight breeze to the seeds stuck on your boots or a lawn mower pulling up and flinging roots. Explore the various ways invasive plants and pests make their way onto your land, the impacts these species have on natural systems, and the steps you can take to monitor for and prevent them from becoming established. Also learn about some of WNY PRISM’s spread prevention measures, including our Pledge to Protect Campaign and Boot Brush Station Program.

Growing Black Locust as a Timber Cash Crop, Brett Chedzoy, Regional Extension Forester with Schuyler CCE. Whether already blessed with some black locust, or looking for a worthwhile project to fill in some old fields, this presentation will cover the opportunities for managing black locust as valuable timber crop.

LUNCH 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.

12:45 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSION II (PICK ONE)

Practical Identification, Ecology and Management of Invasive and Interfering Shrubs and Trees. Peter Smallidge, Department of Natural Resources, Cornell University. Many plants, native and introduced, can complicate the ability of owners to enjoy their woodlands and accomplish their goals. This presentation will review principles of Forest Vegetation Management, and discuss the identification and management of several common interfering species.Participants can bring 16” sections of stems for identification.

AVID – A Deer Impact Assessment Tool for Landowners. Kristi Sullivan, Cornell University, Dept. of Natural Resources, Conservation Program Coordinator. AVID is a method for volunteers, foresters, landowners and others to Assess the Vegetation for Impacts from Deer.Wildflowers and/or tree seedlings are selected and measured each year for several years to evaluate the impact of deer browsing. Field data collected by individuals across New York State will be used to track tree, shrub and wildflower response to deer browsing over time. Learn how you can get involved and assess impacts on your land.

Livestock Grazing as a Strategy to Manage Invasive Plants in Forest Landscapes, Brett Chedzoy, Regional Extension Forester with Schuyler CCE. Learn about the opportunities for integrating grazing and forestry in silvopastures, and specifically how livestock can be an effective work force to manage problematic plants on your farm and forest.

1:50 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. CONCURRENT SESSION III (PICK ONE)

iSeeMammals: volunteer led mammal monitoring and camera trapping. Dr. Joshua Twining, Postdoctoral Research Scientist, Cornell University & Angela Fuller, Professor, Cornell University. New York State is home to over 70 species of mammal, but for the majority we don't have a good understanding of their numbers or population trends. This information is vital to effective evidence-based management and conservation. In 2023, the NYSDEC will be running a New York state-wide camera trap survey for mammals, with the goal of producing vital information on how populations are faring - from martens to black bears, and we need your help! Over 60% of land in New York state is privately owned, and in order to get reliable estimates of mammals in the state, we need volunteers from the public to assist with sampling. Are you curious about what lives on your property? Want to learn more about effective non-invasive monitoring techniques? Get some hints and tips on best practices for deploying camera traps? Come and learn more about iSeeMammals and the New York State 2023 Mammal Survey!

Pollinator in the Wood: Understanding and Creating Forest Pollinator Habitat. Kristi Sullivan, Cornell University, Dept. of Natural Resources, Conservation Program Coordinator. Native bees, butterflies, flies, and other insects pollinate many of our forest plants and ensure that species like red maple, tulip poplar, willows, hawthorns, and many of our spring and summer wildflowers, can produce fruits and successfully reproduce. Pollinators are also an important food resource for many forest organisms, like birds, amphibians, other insects, and some mammals. Healthy populations of pollinators in our forests also benefit plants in adjacent agriculture lands, and may increase crop yields. Join this session to learn what you can do to enhance forest habitat pollinator habitat in your woods.

What’s Bugging You? Forest Pests and Diseases that May Be Harming Your Trees. Brittany Hernon, WNY PRISM Terrestrial Program Manager. Learn about invasive forest pests including spotted lanternfly, hemlock woolly adelgid and beech leaf disease. This program will provide an update on the status of these and other pests in the area, describe ways to identify and monitor them on your land, and touch on management options that exist. This is also a chance to learn about some new pests not yet in the region to be on the lookout for. Opportunities will be available to sign up for and join in on community science survey and monitoring efforts for forest pests.

Giant Hogweed Identification and Management Techniques. Allison McKenna, Field Crew Leader with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation. Giant hogweed, a noxious weed, threatens natural and agricultural landscapes due to its aggressive growth habits and potential to cause skin burns. Join Allison from the NYSDEC's Giant Hogweed Control Program for a presentation on how to identify, report, and safely control giant hogweed if it appears on your land.

2:55 PM - NYFOA Membership Drawing – Cafeteria

Location

Pioneer Central School
12145 County Line Road
Yorkshire, NY 14173

Last updated January 31, 2023