Free workshops in north-central Michigan focus on managing and marketing your woodlot

If you own a small track of forested land or are a farmer with a small woodlot, these workshops will provide you current information about forest health, woodlot management and the details of having a timber sale.

Mark your calendar for April! Michigan State University Extension has partnered with the Gladwin, Clare and Isabella County Conservation Districts to host both an evening workshop as well as a half day field tour in each of Gladwin and Isabella counties. The evening workshops will feature three presentations focused on forest management activities to increase the health of your woodlot and the field tours will give you a chance to see and discuss forest management activities on the ground. 

Each evening workshop will begin with a presentation on forest health, including forest pests and diseases that are found in Michigan woodlots, as well as pests and diseases that have yet to establish in our Michigan woods. The evening will continue with a presentation about what is involved and why it is important to manage woodlots. Information about management activities for timber production, wildlife habitat enhancement and to create or maintain recreation areas will be included. Lastly, the evening workshop will feature a presentation from a professional forester outlining what every landowner should know about having a timber sale. From working with a professional forester to marking the trees for the sale to essential points to include in the contract, this presentation will provide an overview of steps you can take to ensure you get the most out of selling your trees today, and in the future. 

The purpose of the field tour is to provide participants the opportunity to walk in the woods with professional foresters to take a look at different management activities. Brief presentations will be given by the foresters, allowing participant questions to guide the discussion. The tours will visit at least two different forest types with a possible stop at an active harvest. Exact locations of the field tour sites will be announced at the aforementioned evening workshops. 

Isabella County:

Evening workshop:

Wednesday, April 13, 2016, from 6-9 p.m.

Isabella County Building, Room 320

200 Main Street

Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 

Field tour:

Saturday, April 30 from 1-4 p.m.

Location of the field tour will be announced at the April 13 workshop

This event is free but participants need to register for this event online. 

Gladwin County:

Evening workshop:

Wednesday, April 27, 2016 from 6-9 p.m.

Gladwin County MSU Extension Office

555 West Cedar Avenue, #A

Gladwin, MI 48624

Field tour:

Saturday, April 30, from 9 a.m. - noon

Location of the field tour will be announced at the April 27 workshop

This event is free but participants need to register for this event online. 

Register today to take advantage of these free workshops!! Registration is requested if you plan to attend so that we may accommodate the number of people attending. Please use the links provided above to register for the workshops. 

If you have questions about the workshops, please contact me, MSU Extension Natural Resources educator at 989-275-7179 or at crickjul@anr.msu.edu. 

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