Got Nature? Blog

Step into the woods and into the legacy of sustainable forestry with a full-day field tour of the Goetsch property in Beloit, Wisconsin—one of the highlights of this year’s Walnut Council National Meeting. This unique site, donated to the Council in 2019, showcases nearly a century of hardwood forest management, including majestic walnut trees planted in the 1930s and thousands of younger trees carefully cultivated over the past four decades.

Participants will explore hands-on demonstrations in crop tree release, regeneration planting, drone-assisted monitoring, and sawmilling. The tour includes bus transportation, lunch, and expert-led discussions on real-world forestry practices in action.

Connect, Learn, and Share at the National Meeting in Rockford, Illinois
The full program runs Sunday, July 27 through Tuesday, July 29 at the Hilton Garden Inn Rockford Conference Center, offering a rich mix of networking, education, and inspiration:

• Sunday evening kicks off with a welcoming dinner and informal “Landowner Show & Tell,” where members share personal stories, tips, and lessons learned.
• Monday features the Goetsch property field tour, followed by an evening banquet with a keynote by Illinois State Forester Kenneth Jolly.
• Tuesday brings a full day of indoor programming, including expert presentations on hardwood management, roundtable discussions, and a landowner panel.

Companion tours are also available, including visits to Anderson Japanese Garden and Midway Village Museum.

Whether you’re a seasoned forester, a new landowner, or simply passionate about sustainable hardwood management, this event offers something for everyone. Register for the full event or individual days, and don’t forget to book your hotel by June 28 to receive the special group rate.

View the Meeting Agenda

Meeting Registration Page

This program will be submitted for CFE credits from Society of American Foresters.

Questions? Call 765-496-5013 or email walnutcouncil@gmail.com.

About the Walnut Council:
Founded in 1970, the Walnut Council is an international association representing nearly 700 woodland owners, foresters, forest scientists, and wood-producing industry representatives in 45 states and three foreign countries. The purpose is to assist in the technical transfer of forest research to field applications, help build and maintain better markets for wood products and nut crops, and to promote sustainable forest management, conservation, reforestation, and utilization of American black walnut (Juglans nigra) and other high quality fine hardwoods.

Resources:
Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA) YouTube Channel
Deer Impact Toolbox, Purdue Extension Pond and Wildlife Management
Grassland Management, Purdue Extension Pond and Wildlife Management
District Forester, Indiana DNR Division of Forestry, for over 10 acres of woodlands
Directory of Professional Foresters, Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association (IFWOA)
Indiana Woodland Steward E-newsletters, Eleven Member Organization
A Woodland Management Moment, Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Conservation Tree Planting: Steps to Success, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Forest Improvement Handbook, The Education Store
Invasive Species, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Woodland Stewardship for Landowners, Playlist, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Invasive Plant Species Identification, Video, Purdue Extension – FNR YouTube Channel
Report Invasive Species, Purdue Invasive Species
ID That Tree – Video Playlist, Purdue Extension – Forestry and Natural Resources (FNR) YouTube Channel
Subscribe – Purdue Extension-FNR YouTube Channel

Liz Jackson, IFWOA Engagement Specialist & Walnut Council Manager
Indiana Forestry & Woodlands Owners Association (IFWOA)