Forests dominate the landscape and economy of the Mountain State. But forests are under greater and more complex stresses with each new invasive pest or pathogen and a changing climate. The decisions made by foresters and landowners on how to best manage forests also have long-lasting implications. To explore the complexity of some of these environmental challenges, the West Virginia University Extension Service is partnering with the West Virginia Board of Registration for Foresters, the West Virginia Division of Forestry, WestRock, the WV Forestry Association and others to host an educational conference about resilient forests on Thursday, October 17.
This conference, which will be held at the Days Inn Hotel in Flatwoods, offers a full-day of presentations by forest scientists, ecologists and botanists who will share ideas and findings about our changing forests so we can consider how we can approach those changes to help make our woodlands more resilient, more productive and healthier.
The workshop will cover a wide range of topics – from the basic definitions scientists use to describe resiliency and environmental diversity to examples of changing woodland ecosystems. Attendees will have the chance to hear from forestry experts from several regional universities and research facilities, including WVU, Cornell University, Roanoke College, Concord University and the USDA Forest Service.
Dave McGill, WVU Extension Service forest resources specialist, saw an opportunity for WVU Extension Service to partner in the effort to help forestry practitioners and landowners learn about the complexity of forest change and ideas about forest resilience.
“Over the past few decades, the biological diversity of our woodlands has changed,” said McGill. “But it is important that we continue to explore how we might manage this change to keep our forests productive and healthy.”
Professionals in attendance can earn up to five continuing forestry education credits.
Those who are interested in attending may register online at http://epay.wvsto.com/WVU/WVUANREvents/Default.aspx. The cost to attend is $20 and lunch will be provided. Programming begins at 9 a.m.
The workshop is supported in-part by the West Virginia Board of Registration for Foresters, the West Virginia Division of Forestry, and the USDA Forest Service. For more information about the workshop, contact Dave McGill at dmcgill@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-5930.
