Maintaining Dirt and Gravel Roads in Your Woodlands

Maintaining Dirt and Gravel Roads in Your Woodlands

Mike Klimkos, former Dirt and Gravel Road Program Coordinator with the State Conservation Commission will be the featured speaker at the Thursday, January 14 meeting of the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association.  He will be speaking about the importance of proper design and maintenance of roads for private forest landowners.  The meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. at the Cumberland County Extension Office which is located at 310 Allen Road in Carlisle.  You do not have to be a member and there is no cost to attend.

Runoff from dirt roads is a major source of sediment in streams. It contributes to flooding, increases streambank erosion and decreases water quality. There are practices for new or existing roads that private forest landowners can use to minimize erosion potential.  The benefits of road stabilization include less road maintenance, less wear and tear on vehicles, better access, improved water quality and reduced flood damage.  To learn more about the resources available to assist landowners with designing an maintaining forests roads, plan to attend this meeting.

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association is an organization of forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania.  For more information about the meeting or the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net) or Mike Waldron, 717-677-7317 (email:  mdwald57@yahoo.com).

2016 MEETING SCHEDULE FOR CUMBERLAND WOODLAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION

2016 MEETING SCHEDULE FOR CUMBERLAND WOODLAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION

JANUARY 14th – (Thursday) Dirt and Gravel roads in your woodlands. Mike Klimkos will talk to us about this subject at the Cumberland County Extension Office at 7:00 P.M. Penn State Extension, Cumberland County, 310 Allen Road, Suite 601, Carlisle, PA 17013. Directions: http://extension.psu.edu/cumberland/directions.

FEBRUARY 8th – (Monday) Mr. & Mrs Wilbur Wolf will speak to us about Maple Syrup and how to go about collecting and rendering Maple Syrup. The meeting will be held at the Franklin County Extension Office at 7:00 P.M. Penn State Extension, Franklin County, 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA 17202. Directions: http://extension.psu.edu/franklin/directions.

MARCH 17th- (Thursday) Dr. James Finley from Penn State will speak to us. The subject to be determined at a later date. The meeting will be held at the West Pennsboro Township Building at 7:00 P.M. 2150 Newville Road, Carlisle, Pa.

APRIL 14th-(Thursday) John Schwartzer from DCNR will speak to us about mushroom cultivation at the Cumberland County Extension Office at 7:00 P.M. Penn State Extension, Cumberland County, 310 Allen Road, Suite 601, Carlisle, PA 17013. Directions: http://extension.psu.edu/cumberland/directions.

May 11th-(Wednesday) Laurie Collins and Tim Weller will speak to us about Native Pollinators and Honey Bees at the Franklin County Extension Office at 7:00 P.M. Penn State Extension, Franklin County, 181 Franklin Farm Lane, Chambersburg, PA 17202. Directions: http://extension.psu.edu/franklin/directions.

June 9th- (Thursday) The subject will be Pond and Waterway Improvements. Penn State Extension Educators, Amy Galford and George Hurd along with Vince McCollum from the Cumberland Co. Conservation District will speak to us at the Cumberland County Extension Office at 7:00 P.M. Penn State Extension, Cumberland County, 310 Allen Rd, Suite 601, Carlisle, PA 17013. Directions: http://extension.psu.edu/cumberland/directions.

September 10th(Saturday) Bird identification at the Hawk watch area on the North Mountain off Rt. 74 near Carlisle, Pa. A person from the Audubon Society will speak to us. We will meet at that location at 10:00 A.M.

October 22nd(Saturday) Tree identification will be the subject. Dr. Beth Brantly will have speakers for this subject. The meeting will be held at Penn State Mt. Alto at 9:00 A.M.


All of the above dates are subject to change. As always the people from the Dauphin County WOA are welcomed to come to any or all our meetings

Due to inclement weather we may have to cancel our meeting, you may call the following persons to get information. Mike Waldron, 717-677-7317, Dave Cornman, 717-423-6652, Fred Peabody, 717-776-3565

Saturday, September 12, Cumberland Woodland Owners Association Meeting at Penn State Mont Alto, 9:00 am to noon.

Saturday, September 12, Cumberland Woodland Owners Association Meeting at Penn State Mont Alto, 9:00 am to noon.

 

Beth Brantley, Craig Houghton, and Peter Linehan, forestry faculty at Penn State Mont Alto, will host the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association meeting on Saturday, September 12^th at Penn State Mont Alto from 9:00 am to noon.  They have put together a very interesting and educational schedule for the day, so please plan to attend.  The day will include visiting the deer exclosure at the site of the historic Cold Spring Hotel, the American chestnut plantation, the Crop tree management silviculture treatments, and the new LT-70 Wood-Mizer saw mill at Penn State Mont Alto. A bus will be available for travel to the sites and some walking may be involved.  See the full agenda and additional information below.

 

On Saturday, September 12 plan to meet at 9:00AM in the Heritage room at the Mill Café on campus.  There will be some parking at Conklin Hall in the visitor spots and or you can park in the commuter lot as you enter campus.  The commuter parking lot is the first driveway on the right after crossing the bridge onto campus Directions to campus are available at: http://www.ma.psu.edu/Information/directions.htm.  A Campus map is available at: http://www.ma.psu.edu/Information/map.htm (Conklin Hall is #13, The Mill Cafe is #9, and the commuter parking lot is the first driveway on the right after crossing the bridge onto campus.  Virtual  tour of Penn State Mont Alto: http://www.ma.psu.edu/.

Saturday, September 12 Agenda:  Beth Brantley, Craig Houghton, and Peter Linehan, forestry faculty at Penn State Mont Alto, will host the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association meeting.

 

9:00AM - gather at the Mill Café on the Penn State Mont Alto campus for coffee,  juice, and pastries followed by a brief presentation on the Forest Technology associate degree program.

 

9:45AM - load Penn State Mont Alto 21-passenger bus (Some may need to car-pool if there are more than 18 members attending) and travel to the Waynesboro Watershed in Hamiltonban Township, Adams County, PA (approximately 8 miles east of Mont Alto) to view the following. NOTE:  There will be some walking involved but we will drive the bus as close to the sites as possible. Those who don’t care to walk can see most of the sites from the bus. We will bring drinking water too. Hardhats are not required.

•             Deer exclosure at the site of the historic Cold Spring Hotel

•             American chestnut plantation and if we have time,

•             Crop tree management silviculture treatments

 

11:00AM – travel back to campus to view the new LT-70 Wood-Mizer saw mill

 

Managing Invasive Plants in Your Woodlot

Managing Invasive Plants in Your Woodlot

At the Thursday, June 11th Cumberland Woodland Owners Association Meeting, PA DCNR specialists, Kelly Sitch, Bureau of Forestry Botanist, and John Schwartzer, Bureau of Forestry Service Forester will speak about the impact of invasive plants and control methods.  Invasive plants are impacting the regeneration and management of private and public forests. They are slowly changing the character of our natural ecosystems by displacing native plants, impacting native wildlife habitat, increasing soil erosion, and limiting forestry management options. Private landowners need more information about how to identify invasive plant species problems and how to apply effective management practices.  The meeting will be at 7:00 PM, at the Cumberland County Extension Office which is located at 310 Allen Road in Carlisle.  You do not have to be a member and there is no cost to attend.

Invasive insects, plants, and microbes have had and continue to have a significant harmful impact on U.S. forests.  Invasive plants easily colonize the disturbed areas and enter adjacent woodlands.  Invasive plants also can interfere with the growth of new trees.  Competition from invasive plants reduces native plant diversity, and can harm animals that depend on native plants for food and shelter.  Invasive plants threaten the habitat of two-thirds of all threatened and endangered wildlife species.  It is estimated by the U.S. Forest Service that economic damages caused by nonindigenous species and costs for control and management of these species exceed $137 billion per year.  One of the best ways to control these plants is for woodland owners to familiarize themselves with the plants and work with local officials and agencies to start eradication programs.

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association is an organization of forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania.  For more information about the meeting or the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net).

Tree Identification Workshop for Woodland Owners

Tree Identification Workshop for Woodland Owners

The first step in being able to effectively manage your forestland is to know what you have.  To do that, you need to be able to identify the tree species on your property.  If this is the kind of challenge that interests you, then plan to attend the Cumberland Woodland Owners’ Association meeting on Thursday, May 14, 2015.  That evening, Annette MaCoy, Penn State Extension Consumer Horticulture Educator, will conduct a “Tree Identification Workshop for Woodland Owners.”  The meeting will be held at 7:00 P.M. at the Cumberland County Extension Office which is located at 310 Allen Road in Carlisle.  You do not have to be a member and there is no cost to attend.

There are many reasons people need to identify trees.  Knowing which trees are growing on a site can provide information about the soil, climate and other environmental conditions there. Certain trees make good lumber, paper, medicines, food or other products that people need.  Some animals depend on particular trees for food or shelter. Other plants in a forest may grow best in the shade of certain types of trees. Sometimes trees from other areas become invasive and need to be removed. If you are choosing a tree to plant in your yard, you want to know which trees might grow best there, and what their needs are, so that you can take the best care of your tree. In all of these examples, being able to identify trees correctly is very important.  Common factors that can be used to identify trees will be covered at the workshop.

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association is an organization of forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania.  For more information about the meeting or the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net).

 

NOTE:  There will be a contest to identify different cuts of wood. Prizes will be awarded to the top three people that can identify the most woods. Re: Red oak, White Oak, White Pine etc.

April 18, 2015 Native Plants Program

On Saturday, April 18th, from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., the Cumberland Woodland Owners’ Association is sponsoring a “Native Plants” program at Spring Haven Nurseries in Newburg.  Spring Haven Nurseries owner, Dave Cornman will speak at 11:00 a.m. about “Propagating Plants.” Dr. Dave Foster, Messiah College Professor of Biology & Environmental Science, will speak at 1:00 p.m. on “Foraging in Our Forests.”  Spring Haven Nurseries specializes in native woodland plants and shade perennials grown either in propagation beds or in the gardens located there.  The nursery and gardens will be open for tours between 10:00 - 5:00.

The meeting is open to the public and there is no cost to attend. If possible, please carpool.  Parking is limited.  Participants should also plan to bring their own lawnchairs.  A simple lunch will be available from 12:00 to 1:00.  Donations will be accepted.  Spring Haven Nurseries (http://springhavennatives.com/) is located at 1362 Mountain Road in Newburg.

Dr. David K. Foster is the co-author of "Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants" and "Field Guide to Medicinal Wild Plants." He has studied the vegetation of the world from Pennsylvania to the Desert Southwest, the Pacific Northwest, the jungles of Belize and Guatemala, the tropical forests of Amazonian Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. His great love is the temperate forests from Wisconsin and Michigan to New Zealand, Chile, and Argentina.

The art of foraging for food is as old as mankind. What is now a hobby to some was a necessity for all people of historical hunter/gatherer societies.  Before the advent of agriculture and domesticated plants, food gathered from the forest was a sole means of survival. The increasing interest in edible wild plants in our woodlands and backyards may spring from our desire to better understand and in some ways return to nature. Whether in rural or suburban areas, there is an appeal of natural foods. 

The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association (CWOA) is an organization of private forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania. For more information about the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association and the meeting, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net).

Forest Riparian Buffers

Forest Riparian Buffers “Forest Riparian Buffers” is the topic of the Thursday, February 19, 2015, meeting of the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association. Craig Highfield, Forests for the Bay Program Manager with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay will speak about improving our forests and forest riparian buffers to protect water resources including those that flow into the Bay. The meeting will be at 7:00 PM, at the Franklin County Ag Heritage Building which is located at 185 Franklin Farm Lane in Chambersburg. The meeting is open to the public. You do not have to be a member of the association and there is no cost to attend. The workshop is handicap accessible. If you need specific accommodations, please contact Penn State Extension in advance at 717-263-9226. Forest buffers are critical to clean water. They prevent pollution from entering waterways and stabilize stream banks. Forest buffers are also vital to wildlife. They provide wildlife with food and habitat and shade streams to the benefit of sensitive aquatic species. Without forest buffers, runoff from farms and developed areas would flow directly into rivers and streams. Forest buffers are a waterway’s last line of defense against pollution that washes off the land. Forestry for the Bay is an education and outreach program for the region’s woodland owners. The goal of the program is to educate landowners about the connection between healthy woodlands & clean water and that the healthiest woods are managed. Forests for the Bay was developed through collaboration between the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, the US Forest Service and the Chesapeake Bay Program, with support from the Maryland Forest Service, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry and the Virginia Department of Forestry. The purpose is to promote sound forest management practices as a way to increase the vitality of the region’s woodlands and improve the health of local streams, rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. The Cumberland Woodland Owners Association is an organization of private forestland owners and others interested in forestry issues in south central Pennsylvania. The mission of the association is to provide information, education and an exchange of ideas to its members and others about the methods and benefits of proper forest management. For more information about the Cumberland Woodland Owners Association and the January 13th meeting, contact Fred Peabody at 717/776-3565 (email: fredp5@earthlink.net).