Virginia Forest Landowner e-Update

Good morning Forest Landowner e-Update Subscribers,

I hope everyone is still doing well and still staying safe and enjoying the sunshine in between the rainstorms (which have been frequent here in SW Virginia). Peas, onions, and potatoes are in the garden. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, carrots, beets, parsnips, lettuce, spinach and strawberries in the greenhouse. Reseeded some of the pollinator flower beds with native wildflower seed and enjoying the return of the hummingbirds. New kayak and tractor storage areas in the barn, upgraded chicken coop run, and lawnmower has sharpened blades, We’re getting a lot more done these days not having 1.5 hours of commute to Blacksburg and back and no other travel. But I miss seeing how beautiful all the different areas of Virginia are in the spring.

If you are like me, and getting outside a lot, maybe you’ve already encountered ticks. I’ve had one bite so far, and have caught several crawling on me. A colleague at Roanoke College is collaborating on a study on the impacts of COVID-19 on tick-borne illness. If you are so inclined, they have a short survey and would love to hear from you. Click here to participate. And speaking of ticks, learn more about ticks and red meat allergies from the UMASS Laboratory of Medical Zoology in their webinar Wednesday, May 13^th at noon. Preregistration is required – register here.

Some forestry-related news you may be interested in:

And a few new/updated publications are now available:

Conservation in a Time of Crisis: Guidance for habitat, species and education activities with limited or no access to facilities and sites
Exotic Invasive Plants
Invasive Exotic Plant Species: Honeysuckle
Invasive Exotic Plant Species: Autumn Olive

As I did last month, I’m featuring a number of on-line learning opportunities for you this month.

Join Virginia Cooperative Extension on Fridays for Fifteen Minutes in the Forest - video presentations on woodland topics. All sessions will be broadcast here from 12-12:15 p.m., and available afterwards on our YouTube Channel in the Fifteen Minutes in the Forest playlist.

May 1 – Growing Shiitake Mushrooms

May 8 – Crop Tree Release
May 15 – Identifying Common Hardwoods in SE Virginia
May 22 – Common Invasive Plant Species
May 29 – SW Virginia Topic TBA

The Virginia Master Naturalist Program is offering a High Five from Nature video series. These videos each cover 5 species or concepts related to a theme. View the recorded April videos here.

And join them on May 5th at 7:00 p.m. for Five Ferns.

Summer 2020 On-line Woodland Options for Landowners

Learn the basics of woodland management on your own time and at your own pace. Reading assignments and hands-on activities will lead you through the steps of developing a woodland management plan.

· June 1 – August 21

· $45/family

· Register by mail

· Register on-line

The Forestry Webinar Portal – free live and on-demand webinars

Live:

· May 21, 1:00 - Heirs Property: Standing on a Lot of Love

· June 11, 10:00 – Tips for Choosing the Right Yard Tree

· July 27, 10:00 – Tree Identification Procedures

PA Forests Web Seminar Center – free live webinars

· May 12, 12:00 & 7:00 - The Sustainable Timber Harvest

If you have kiddos at home and are looking for some nature-oriented family activities, check out what Project Learning Tree has to offer.

In person events – later this year:

Beginning Woodland Owner Retreats

These entry-level programs cover the basics of keeping your woods and wildlife healthy and productive, while working towards meeting your ownership goals. A combination of classroom, field trip, and hands-on activities are used to explore these concepts of sustainability. Registration fees include 5 meals, all materials, and transportation to the field trip. On-site lodging is also available if desired.

· Galax

o Matthews State Forest

o August 6-8

· Providence Forge

o New Kent Forestry Center

o September 25-26

· Registration opens 2 months prior to event

Fall Forestry & Wildlife Field Tours

· October

· Details coming

Hope I’m able to see everyone soon!

Jennifer