More Educational Opportunities

Field Tour - Biosolids, Tree Farming & Renewable Energy Production
Demonstrate Research of an Innovative Beneficial Reuse System
September 29, 2010; 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Location: University of Maryland Extension; Wye Research & Education Center; 124 Wye Narrows DriveQueenstown, MD 21658; (401) 827‐8056
Sponsored by: University of Maryland Extension, Metropolitan Council of Governments, and Maryland Environmental Services

Complete announcement, agenda and registration form


Private Consultant Forester Workshop
October 6, 2010

All private professional foresters who are licensed in Maryland are invited to attend the upcoming Private Professional Forester Meeting on October 6, 2010 at the University of Maryland Howard County office. The program provide 2 SAF CFE Category 1 credits and 2 SAF CFE Category 2 credits. Full details on the agenda and registration can be found at:http://www.naturalresources.umd.edu/Documents/Events/20101006.pdf

A recent survey of all MD Licensed Professional Foresters indicated that this type of meeting with private foresters was a high priority. Agenda items include:

· Maryland State Forest Strategy & Assessment Update · University of Maryland Extension program update · NRCS Update and listening session, which includes an update on the NEW Technical Service Provider certification process. · MD Tree Farm Committee update on the recent reorganization · MD Professional Forester Survey Results (from January 2010) · Legislative updates · Overview of the NEW forest biomass harvesting guidelines and wood energy opportunities in MD · Bay Bank program, and, · Opportunities to ask questions

The registration for the meeting is $20 and includes lunch and refreshments. Please register by Friday, October 1, 2010. For questions on registration, contact Pam Thomas, 301-432-2767 x315, pthomas@umd.edu.


Webinar - Targeted Grazing Series
Sheep and Goats: A Weapon Against Weeds - Controlling Invasive Plants with Grazing
October 7, 2010; 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

As a follow-up to the targeted grazing webinar held on July 19, a series of sequel webinars is being planned. The first one will be targeted towards sheep and goat producers. It will be held on October 7 at 12 noon. The webinar will provide information on starting a targeted grazing enterprise. More details will be provided as the date approaches. A second webinar will likely focus on landowners who are interested in leasing goats and/or sheep for targeted grazing. A recording of the July 19 webinar is available for viewing at:

http://www.naturalresources.umd.edu/ResourcesWebinars.html

For those who do not have high-speed internet access, a CD-ROM version of the webinar is available for loan. For more information about the Targeted Grazing Webinars, contact Nevin Dawson, Forest Stewardship Educator at (410) 827-8056 x125 or ndawson@umd.edu.

Handheld GPS Beginner Workshops Offered

Handheld GPS receivers are a great resource for landowners, natural resource professionals, and other outdoor recreationalists. Current GPS units are accurate (+/- 15 feet) and can be used for marking hunting locations, structures, streams, your vehicle location, as well as for fun activities such as geocaching. Professional natural resource managers can save valuable field time by using GPS with a computer to locate inventory plots, access roads, outline sale areas and property boundaries, direct customers and workers to locations, and much more. Many volunteers for land trusts and other conservation organizations are using GPS to map, locate and measure trails, structures, tree planting sites, and other areas of interest. This hands-on instruction is excellent and will provide you with all the skills you need to use GPS.

The University of Maryland Extension is offering Beginner GPS Workshops to teach those interested in learning how to use GPS handheld receivers with a computer, using applications specific to land conservation and forestry uses. No special skills are required. Workshops run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and the cost is $50. Garmin GPSMAP76Csx units and computers are provided for the training . All knowledge and skills learned are easily transferred to other GPS units. Lunch and course materials are provided. Topics to be covered include the basics of using a GPS receiver, as well as:
• Marking waypoints
• Creating routes
• Entering and finding coordinates
• Determining acreage or perimeter of an area
• Incorporating coordinates into documents
• Locating roads, stream crossings, and points of interest
• Downloading and uploading data to a computer (computer provided)
• Computer software options
• Comparing different GPS handheld units

Workshops are being offered at the following locations:

October 19 - 8:30-3:30 p.m. Location: Northern Outreach Center
Garrett Community College

12601 National Pike, Grantsville, MD 21536
Cost: $50. Make check payable to: University of Maryland

Send to: Pam Thomas (pthomas@umd.edu), University of Maryland Extension, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD 21756; 301-432-2767 x315

Register by: Thursday, October 14

November 16 – 8:30-3:30 p.m. Location: Maryland 4H Center
8020 Greenmead Drive
College Park, MD 20740
Cost: $50. Make check payable to: University of Maryland

Send to: Carol Taylor (carolt@umd.edu), GPS Training, University of Maryland Extension, 124 Wye Narrows Drive, Queenstown, MD 21658. 410-827-8056

Register by: November 12, 2010

For more information or to access the brochure with registration form, please use the following links:
Brochure/Registration Form: http://www.naturalresources.umd.edu/Documents/Events/GPS2010.pdf


GPS Education Page: http://www.naturalresources.umd.edu/EducationalGPS.html

2010 Conference discount deadline approaching


Just a quick update and some reminders, as we make final preparations for MFA’s Annual Conference, November 5&6 at the Gaylord National in Prince George’s County. This year we are focusing on Maryland’s Working Woodlands.

Managing even a few acres of woodland is good for people, wildlife and waterways ~ from the mountains of western Maryland to the Chesapeake Bay.
Attend this year’s MFA Conference to learn how to keep your woodland healthy and productive, and what resources are available to help you. CE credits for loggers, foresters and arborists. Full details and the registration brochure are online at http://mdforests.org/AM2010.htm

MFA’s EARLY BIRD discount deadline is September 20th to save $20 off your conference registration fees. All events require pre-registration. Final date to register is October 22nd.

The incredible group rate we are getting at the Gaylord of $149 per night (single / double occupancy) is only good through October 6th. Reserve your room at this 4-diamond hotel by calling the Gaylord at 301-965-2000 to receive the group rate and ensure MFA of meeting its contract obligations. Group room rate also available 3 days prior and after the conference. There is so much to see and do at the Gaylord and in National Harbor ~ Bring the family!

If you have any questions, please call the MFA Office at 301-895-5369 or send an email to director@mdforests.org