Courses and Webinars
Upland Hardwood Silviculture Course
Presented by: Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources, University of Georgia
The goal of this course is to provide practicing foresters with information about current silvicultural practices and emerging issues based on scientific research that affects managing upland hardwoods. The course is designed for professional foresters working in upland hardwood systems. Wildlife professionals and natural resources managers from State and Federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, educators, and the general public also may take the course, with the understanding that they should be familiar with forestry terminology. There is no charge for the course but anyone seeking Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) credit will be an administrative fee of $5.00 per 1/2 credit hour.
Regeneration Response to Repeated Prescribed Burning in Appalachian Hardwood Forests
Presented by: Dr. Tara Keyser with the USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station
Management on public lands across the eastern US is increasingly focused on the restoration of resilient structures and species compositions, with prescribed burning being the primary tool by which many landscape-level restoration efforts are implemented. In Appalachian hardwood forests, where altered disturbance regimes have contributed to an increase in shade-tolerant species and concomitant decrease in the relative abundance and competitiveness of oak species in the forest understory, prescribed fire is often recommended as a treatment that enhances the development of desirable oak species.
Restoration of the American Chestnut
Presented by: Stacy Clark with the USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station, and Bryan Burhans with The American Chestnut Foundation
The American chestnut [Castanea dentata (Marsh.) Borkh.] was one of the most abundant and important tree species of the eastern deciduous forest of North America for thousands of years, until decimated by chestnut blight, a disease caused by an exotic fungus [Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr]. Come learn about some of the recent progress made to restore the highly-prized American chestnut.
Conservation and Management of Declining Bat Populations in Eastern Forests
Presented by: Susan Loeb with the USDA Forest Service, Southern Research Station
Bats in the eastern U.S. are experiencing significant declines due to disease, wind-turbines, and loss and fragmentation of their forested habitats related to urban development. Climate change may also impact their populations and distribution. U.S. Forest Service Research Ecologist Susan C. Loeb, will discuss the plight of different bat species as well as the results of recent studies on the effects of forest management and other disturbances on their populations and how forest management can be used to create habitat. Loeb will also discuss a new plan to monitor bat populations at local, regional, and continental scales that will assist managers and policy makers in developing better conservation and management strategies for these important species.