College of Natural Resources offers short course for forest landowners east of Richmond
The Virginia Forest Landowner Education program, based at Virginia Tech's College of Natural Resources, announces a Woodland Options for Landowners course to be held in the conference room of the Smurfit-Stone Corporation in West Point, Va., on Saturday, Feb. 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The course is open to any interested person.
Virginia’s forests provide many important resources, including wildlife, recreation, wood products, clean water, and fresh air. Nearly 65 percent of Virginia’s forests are owned by private landowners. Woodland Options for Landowners provides a working knowledge of basic forest and woodland management principles and includes such topics as management planning, obtaining professional assistance, how to assess resources, and basic needs of wildlife. In-depth publications covering pine and hardwood management are included. Information about topographic maps, soil surveys, and aerial photos will also be covered.
The cost of the course is $45 per person; $55 per couple sharing materials. The registration fee includes a comprehensive reference notebook, lunch, and refreshments. Snow date will be Feb. 23.
This course is a segment of the Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program’s (VFLEP) Short Course Series. To register by Feb. 4, 2008, please contact Helen Heck at (804) 443-1118. For more information on this course or other VFLEP offerings, please contact Jennifer Gagnon at (540) 231-6391. Late registration will be handled at 8 a.m. the day of the course if room is available.
The College of Natural Resources at Virginia Tech consistently ranks among the top five programs of its kind in the nation. Faculty members stress both the technical and human elements of natural resources and instill in students a sense of stewardship and land-use ethics. Areas of studies include environmental resource management, fisheries and wildlife sciences, forestry, geospatial and environmental analysis, natural resource recreation, urban forestry, wood science and forest products, geography, and international development.