Join the West Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District and your neighbors at Rural Living Field Day, Saturday, October 1, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Malinowski Farm, 13450 NW Springville Road, Portland.

Experts from a wide variety of non-profit and government agencies will be on hand to teach and answer questions about issues on your land, including forestry, pastures, livestock, wildlife, invasive weeds, marketing your farm, water and soil quality and conservation planning.

This is also a wonderful opportunity for you to talk with your neighbors about the issues they face on their properties, learn about the types of conservation projects that have been completed in your neighborhood and discover what might be possible for you and your woods, farm, garden or natural area. You can also learn about the variety of funding sources available for the projects you have in mind.

Cost is only $10 per person or $15 per family. Lunch will be provided. Lots of information, brochures and guides will be available free of charge. Registration is required. Just click “Events” at http://www.wmswcd.org/ and select the Rural Living Field Day. Please fill out the form and send it in with your check to WMSWCD, 2701 NW Vaughn Street, Ste. 450,Portland, OR, 97210. Call Forest Conservationist Michael Ahr (503/238-4775, ext. 109) or Rural Conservationist Scott Gall (503/238-4775, ext. 105) for more information.

Attendees will choose which classes they wish to attend during each of three sessions during the day. Each session will be led by local resource managers and professionals. Partners for this comprehensive educational event include the Tualatin, Clackamas and Columbia Soil & Water Conservation Districts; OSU Extension; Oregon Forest Resources Institute, Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon Small Woodlands Association.

There are lots of reasons to have a written forest management plan. You need one to be a member of the Tree Farm system. You need one to obtain cost-share funding. You can use it to plan and keep track of future management activities.

There are also lots of reasons why most landowners don’t have a management plan. The fun of woodland ownership is in the doing, not in the writing down what you have done or are going to do! Writing a plan takes time and a certain level of knowledge, and having a professional write one for you takes money. 

If you’ve been putting off writing or updating your forest management plan, this fall is the opportunity to git-‘er-done. OSU Extension will be conducting a four-session Mentored Management Planning workshop in St. Helens. You’ll be guided through the writing process and will be paired with an experienced mentor who can provide one-on-one assistance. Work on your plan for “homework” between sessions, and by Thanksgiving you’ll have finished the writing and can get back to the doing!

Dates: Wednesday evenings, Sept. 14, Sept. 28, Oct. 12, Nov. 9

Location: OSU Extension Service, St. Helens

Cost: $40 per family/ownership

Download a flyer for the rest of the details…

Scappoose Bay Watershed Council is sponsoring the following event. Maybe I will see some of you there!

Creek School Forestry Class – August 15, 2011, 6:30 -8:30 pm

Come see what’s in Today’s Forests 
The Oregon Forestry Plan 
Oregon wood products
Prescribed burns and wildfire threat
Forestry management in the face of:
              Changing markets                         
              Endangered species
              Global climate change          
              Population expansion (urban sprawl)
See how you fit into the BIG picture

Speakers will include:             
» Amy Grotta OSU Extension Forester 
» Dave Powers Regional Manager for Forests and Rangelands US EPA Region 10

 JOIN US:                        
 August 15, 2011 6:30 -8:30 pm        ($15) Pre-registration requested
OSU Extension Office               
505 N. Columbia River Hwy St. Helens, OR 97051
To register contact the Scappoose Bay Watershed Council
503-397-7904  or rita@scappoosebay-wc.org

If you are looking to get outdoors, meet fellow woodland owners, and learn something new, then Saturday, July 23 is the day for you. That day there’s not one, not two, but THREE awesome woodland events to choose from. The hard part may be deciding which one to attend! Here is the rundown:

  • In Vernonia, there’s the Columbia County Small Woodlands Association/OSU Extension Service Summer Woodland Tour & Lunch at the Keasey Tree Farm. Highlights include walking tour and discussion of streamside & upland management, a small scale equipment demo, historic logging exhibit, and a BBQ lunch. Tour begins at 9:00 am. To RSVP, call Bill or Lydia at (503) 556-2014.
  • In Forest Grove, there’s the Washington County Small Woodlands Association summer tour at the Howell Tree Farm, 9 am – 3 pm.  Activities include portable sawmill, firewood processing & pruning demonstrations, stream restoration, walking tour, and a free BBQ lunch courtesy of the Tualatin Soil & Water Conservation District, OSWA and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute. 51075 NW Cox Rd, Forest Grove. For details, contact WCSWA.
  • Further south, in Lafayette is an event from 2-6 pm sponsored by the Build Local Alliance at the Trappist Abbey. Tour topics will include silviculture, invasive species, FSC wood products and markets, and working forest conservation easements. RSVP to info@buildlocalalliance.org.

Thursday, July 7th, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
Forest Grove
“Keeping Your Little Trees Growing”

This gathering will be an opportunity to talk about reforestation challenges and strategies to keep your planted seedlings growing strong. What’s worked (and not worked) for you? Come ready to share your experiences with weed control, animal damage, insects and diseases, and other concerns. We will look at some young trees of several species planted by host Robin Lindsley on her small property, and talk about her efforts to get them “free to grow”.

Whether you are new to managing your land or a seasoned pro, all are welcome and encouraged to come. WOWnet events are designed for participants to learn from one another. And who doesn’t like a potluck in the summer!

For details and directions, view the flyer.