News Release Published: January 9, 2009 by the Southeast Region
Contact(s): Randy Cooper, DNR Forester, 262-884-2390
WAUKESHA – The 20th annual Southeast Wisconsin Woodland Owners
Conference will take place on Saturday, February 7, at the Country
Springs Hotel & Conference Center, 2810 Golf Road in Waukesha. The
all-day event begins at 7:30 a.m. and is designed to help woodland
owners learn more about effective land stewardship.
“Wisconsin has 16 million acres of forestlands that cover almost one –
half of the state. About 60 percent of that forest land is owned by
individual landowners, and many are looking for useful tools to
sustainably manage their woodlands,” according to DNR forester Randy
Cooper. “This conference will help landowners learn more about their
woodland property and offer an opportunity to meet other landowners
with similar interests.”
The conference will provide information and presentations on
monitoring water quality and wildlife in your woodland; managing oak
savannas; forest habitat for migratory birds; edible and poisonous
mushrooms; and beekeeping. Other topics include favorite native
woodland plants, managing black walnut, controlling invasive plants
and an update on the emerald ash borer in Wisconsin. Several
exhibitors will be on hand to show and discuss their forestry-related
products and services.
“The theme of this year’s conference is Forests for the Future,”
Cooper said, adding that fostering woodland stewardship in young
people is especially important, since more than half of those private
acres are owned by people 55 years and older.
Cost for the conference is $48 per person, or $89 per couple, and
includes all materials, refreshments and lunch. There is an early
registration discount before January 19. To register, contact
Milwaukee County UW-Extension at 414-290-2400. The agenda and
conference brochure can be downloaded from the UWEX Web site at:
Woodland Owners Conference.
The conference is sponsored by Wisconsin Department of Natural
Resources, University of WI Extension, WI Woodland Owners Association
(WWOA), and the Seno Woodland Education Center with the assistance of
Woodland Leadership Institute and Master Woodland Steward graduates
from the area. For more information, contact DNR forester Randy Cooper
at 262-884-2390 or by e-mail at [email protected].