Free Woodland Owner Workshops Offered in Siren

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A series of Woodland Owner Forums is scheduled Thursday evenings February 23rd through March 23rd at The Lodge at Crooked Lake in Siren from 6:30 - 8:00 pm. The forums are FREE - no registration is required. The forums conclude with a Saturday March 25th afternoon session about passing your land on to the next generation. These sessions are an opportunity to learn about your options, meet local forestry professionals in person, and learn from the experience of other woodland owners. Each presenter will be accompanied by a woodland owner that has experience with session’s topic.

Where: The Lodge at Crooked Lake, 4271 State Road 35 North, Siren, WI

Session Topics:

1. February 23 - MFL (Managed Forest Law) - is it for you? - Mark Gossman, WDNR. Hear about the advantages and obligations to this forest tax incentive program. If you already enrolled, this is a great refresher. Learn about woodland conservation funding opportunities from Ron Spiering, USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Service.

2. March 2 - Oak wilt, ash borer and other pests in your woodlands - Paul Cigan, WDNR Forest Entomologist. Learn about new forest pests and the challenges and options for landowners.

3. March 9 - Deer management assistance program (DMAP) - Steve Hoffman, WDNR. Learn how the DMAP program assists landowners with habitat and deer management planning on their property.

4. March 16 - Success takes planning: Get the most from your woodlands - Chris Burke, Steigerwaldt Forester. A well-managed woodland begins with a well thought out plan. This workshop will take you through the beginning steps of forest management.

5. March 23 - Timber sale tips for woodland owners - Phil Stromberg, Stromberg Forestry Consulting. Learn the ins and outs of selling your timber. Experienced foresters can help guide this process with positive outcomes for you, your land, and perhaps your pocketbook too.

No registration required for the Thursday sessions. Coffee and refreshments provided.

Saturday March 25, 1 - 4pm – Estate and succession planning for woodland owners - Susan Sharp- Miley, Attorney At Law, and Kris Tiles, UW-Extension. RSVP required. This session focuses on maintaining family ties to the land from generation to generation, building awareness of key challenges facing family forest ownership, and motivating families to address those challenges. Also learn about the legal tools that can help you implement your family estate plan.

For more information or to RSVP for Saturday March 25th, contact John Haack, UW- Extension Natural Resource Educator (715) 635-7406 or [email protected]

If you own woodlands this is a great opportunity - please join us for one or all of the sessions.

This program is made possible through collaboration with the Northwest Chapter of the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association, Stromberg Forestry Consulting, Steigerwaldt Land Services, Susan Sharp Miley, Attorney at Law, Wisconsin Dpt. of Natural Resources, UW-Extension, Burnett County Land and Water Conservation Dpt.