Southeast Wisconsin Woodland Owners Conference
News Release Published: January 9, 2009 by the Southeast Region
Contact(s): Randy Cooper, DNR Forester, (262) 884-2390
WAUKESHA – The 20th annual Southeast Wisconsin Woodland Owners Conference will take place on Saturday, February 7, at the Country Springs Hotel & Conference Center, 2810 Golf Road in Waukesha. The all-day event begins at 7:30 a.m. and is designed to help woodland owners learn more about effective land stewardship.
“Wisconsin has 16 million acres of forestlands that cover almost one - half of the state. About 60 percent of that forest land is owned by individual landowners, and many are looking for useful tools to sustainably manage their woodlands,” according to DNR forester Randy Cooper. “This conference will help landowners learn more about their woodland property and offer an opportunity to meet other landowners with similar interests.”
The conference will provide information and presentations on monitoring water quality and wildlife in your woodland; managing oak savannas; forest habitat for migratory birds; edible and poisonous mushrooms; and beekeeping. Other topics include favorite native woodland plants, managing black walnut, controlling invasive plants and an update on the emerald ash borer in Wisconsin. Several exhibitors will be on hand to show and discuss their forestry-related products and services.
“The theme of this year’s conference is Forests for the Future,” Cooper said, adding that fostering woodland stewardship in young people is especially important, since more than half of those private acres are owned by people 55 years and older.
Cost for the conference is $48 per person, or $89 per couple, and includes all materials, refreshments and lunch. There is an early registration discount before January 19. To register, contact Milwaukee County UW-Extension at (414) 290-2400. The agenda and conference brochure can be downloaded from the UWEX Web site at: Woodland Owners Conference [exit DNR].
The conference is sponsored by Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, University of WI Extension, WI Woodland Owners Association (WWOA), and the Seno Woodland Education Center with the assistance of Woodland Leadership Institute and Master Woodland Steward graduates from the area. For more information, contact DNR forester Randy Cooper at (262) 884-2390 or by e-mail at Randal.Cooper@wisconsin.gov.
