We often hear about the negative influences humans cause inside a forest. All too often the default management strategy is to do nothing & remain a mere spectator. However, doing nothing is sometimes at the expense of a more fruitful forest. Instead, you too can be an integral factor in the forest. Our ability to allocate sunlight at the right time & place can be used to make the forest literally more fruitful than it currently is. Some of the most fruitful forests today in New York State are from ancient human-derived legacies stretching back thousands of years; i.e. forest fire & its influence on blueberries, chestnuts, & acorns. Fewer fires often equal fewer blueberries. Although fire may not be an option for smaller landownerships today, there are other practices that can be followed.
Ryan Trapani (Executive Director, Catskill Forest Association) & John MacNaught (Wildlife Specialist, Catskill Forest Association) will cover how you can make a small barren woodland into a more fruitful forest using some basic tree identification & silvicultural practices using a chainsaw. Like the orchardist pruner who shapes the apple tree to improve its structure & bear more fruit, the Forester too can do the same across a forest. Ryan & John will show examples of how they have helped members of the Catskill Forest Association achieve a more fruitful forest for both humans & wildlife.
The Catskill Forest Association is a member-based, private non-profit, forestry education organization covering the 6 counties of the Catskill Mountains of New York State. The Catskill Forest Association serves its members through its programs & various forest-related events throughout the year.
This program will take place on Friday, January 19, 7:30pm at Elm Park United Methodist Church, 401 Chestnut St., Oneonta NY. Refreshments will be available. The program is free and open to the public.
