Last Updated: 15.Oct.2015

Craftsbury Outdoor Center’s free Forestry and Conservation Speaker Series continues Thursday, October 22, at 7:00pm with another free talk in the Activity Center:  Forest Management & Timber Harvesting, an introduction to how we manage forests sustainably. Forests provide a diversity of critical benefits and resources to our communities including: clean air and water, wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, and wood products. Timber harvesting is typically part of an active management program designed to cultivate one or more of these forest values.

During this event, 3 short presentations will focus on key topics related to forest management, timber harvesting systems, and protecting water quality during forestry operations. These 3 elements are basic to any successful and sustainable management approach in the forest:

What does it mean to manage the forest and how do we do it: An introduction to forest management planning and silviculture, the epicenter of sustainable forest practices.
Ross Morgan, Forester, Northern Forest Conservation Services, LLC    

How do we harvest timber: A review of different harvest equipment systems, their benefits and short-comings.
Rick Morrill, Forester, Northern Forest Conservation Services, LLC

Protecting and Maintaining Water Quality: An introduction to Acceptable Management Practices for forestry operations, critical to protecting the most important forest product of all, water.
Jared Nunery, Orleans County Forester, Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation.

In the days following the talk, we will schedule a field demonstration by a local logging contractor, working on Craftsbury Outdoor Center Lands, to take the instruction into the real world. Details on this followup event to come.

Talk will be held in the Activity Center, with light refreshments provided. Questions? Hit the office. And you can download a pdf flyer of this event to share.