Join the Delaware Highlands Conservancy and the Pike-Monroe Woodland Owners Group for a forest restoration workshop on April 20 at the Milford Experimental Forest, a privately owned research forest in Pike County, Pa.

Learn how to improve the health of your forest, using American chestnut reintroduction as an example.  Participants will learn how to find a forester, mark timber, implement a harvest, and plant chestnuts and oaks, in the context of improving forest health.

The workshop includes two sessions: an indoor session from 9 a.m. -12 p.m., and an outdoor session from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Participants can are welcome to attend the whole day or just the morning or afternoon session. If staying for the whole day, please bring a bag lunch. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Participants should wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather and be prepared for a hike on rocky and sloping terrain.

In the morning session, get an introduction to the Milford Experimental Forest and hear from Leila Pinchot, Research Fellow from the Pinchot Institute for Conservation, on the reintroduction of the American chestnut and the process of reintroducing this key species onto your own property.

Later, learn when, why, and how you might want to implement a harvest on your woodlot from consulting forester Josh Flad. In the afternoon session, head outside and get some hands-on experience. Learn how to plant and protect seedlings, and participate in the planting of chestnuts and acorns for the MEF.

This program is sponsored by the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, the Pike-Monroe Woodland Owners Group, the Grey Towers National Historic Site, and the Pinchot Institute for Conservation.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Please call the Delaware Highlands Conservancy at 570-226-3164, 845-583-1010, or send email to: info@delawarehighlands.org to register and receive directions.

For more information, visit the Forestry Program at Milford Forest webpage.

3/25/2013