CLARION, Pa. — The 2018 Clarion Forest Landowner Conference will be held on Saturday, February 17, at Clarion University’s Grunenwald Science & Technology Center located along Greenville Avenue.
The conference is scheduled from 8:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m.
The cost is $25 per person if registered by February 2. After that, the price goes to $30 per person. Students can attend the conference for $10. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The fee includes lunch, refreshments, and door prizes. Pre-registration is required and the deadline to register is February 9.
Penn State Extension is hosting the conference in partnership with DCNR Bureau of Forestry, The Woodland Owners of the Clarion and Allegheny Valley, and the Clarion County Forest Stewardship Committee.
Pennsylvania has nearly 17 million acres of forests covering 60% of the state’s land area. The largest share of Pennsylvania’s forest is privately owned, accounting for more than 70% of the forested acres (12.5 million acres). Estimates put the number of private forest owners at more than 600,000. That’s approximately 1 in 8 households. The decisions these owners make today will greatly affect all the benefits we receive from our forests now and in the future.
Pennsylvania’s forests support a forest products industry that is a key component of the state’s economy. They also provide habitat for a diversity of plants and wildlife, serve as a place to recreate, and are a source of beauty. Our forests also help to purify the air we breathe and the water we drink. The forests of Pennsylvania are a renewable resource. Landowners are invited to attend the conference to learn how to properly manage their forest to ensure it provides continued benefits into the future.
This year’s conference will have seven different sessions that will provide valuable information for Pennsylvania’s forest landowners. Topics include: Controlling Invasive Species, Birds in Your backyard, Land Ethic and the Future of Forests, Conservation Easements, Deer Ticks, Lyme, and Other Diseases, Planting and Caring for Landscape and Fruit Trees, and Forest Insect and disease Update. Speakers include folks from DCNR Bureau of Forestry, Penn State University, Western PA Conservancy, East Stroudsburg University, and the Woodland Owners of the Southern Alleghenies.
Participants can register online by going to the following website: https://extension.psu.edu/forest-landowner-conference . The complete agenda, registration details, and other information can be found at the website. For people who do not have internet access or those who prefer to register by phone, please call 877-345-0691. The final deadline to register is February 9th.
Penn State encourages individuals with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing special accommodations or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Scott Weikert at 814-755-3544 in advance of your visit. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.
