Woodland Owners to Discuss Managing Forests and Wildlife March 14

The Woodland Owners of the Southern Alleghenies (WOSA) has announced its 23rd Annual Forestry and Wildlife Conference, “Managing Forests and Wildlife.”

The conference will be held at the American Legion from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2020, in Bedford, Pa.

Conference reservation and payment must be mailed by March 6 to reserve lunch and can be found on the website at http://www.theWOSA.org.

Call Laura Jackson at (814) 652-9268 or Dave Scamardella at (717) 485-3148 for more information, or for a copy of the reservation form.

There is a fee for the conference, which includes a buffet lunch. WOSA has members who live in Fulton and Bedford counties.

Speakers

The keynote speaker is Ryan Reed, natural resource program specialist for the Pa. Dept. of Conservation of Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry (DCNR). Reed will discuss the effects of climate change on Pennsylvania forests and what landowners can do to mitigate those effects.

Laura Jackson, Juniata Valley Audubon Society vice-president, will discuss information on birds that rely on healthy forests and how climate change is affecting both forests and bird populations.

Jared Shippey, supervisory district conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Matt Heffner, NRCS forester, will provide information on funding that is available for forest landowners who want to work in their woods.

Pennsylvania’s woodland stewardship coordinator, Gary Gilmore, will offer insights on carbon capture using charcoal.

Attendees will also get a wildlife update from Pa. Game Commission Game Warden Supervisor Jeremy Coughenour.

Also, Jill Rose, plant Pathologist, DCNR Bureau of Forestry, will review insects and diseases that might affect our forests.

Participants will have the chance to win door prizes and bid on silent-auction items. A Stihl MS 170 chainsaw with personal protection gear will be raffled at the end of the conference.

Foresters and loggers who attend the entire program can apply for two pesticide credits, four SFI continuing education credits and SAF CFE credits.