October 26, 2009

Tour to examine wildlife effects on forests, management issues

The Forest and Wildlife Field Tour will be from 8:30-11:30 a.m. Nov. 7 at the Morgan County Fairgrounds in Martinsville. From there, participants will travel by bus to tour stops at Morgan-Monroe State Forest.

The tour will include demonstration and research sites that are part of the Hardwood Ecosystem Experiment, a study of forest management and its impacts conducted by a partnership among various universities and the Indiana Division of Forestry.

Brian MacGowan, Purdue Extension wildlife specialist, said the tour stops will look at the effects of deer browsing on plants and tree regeneration, timber stand improvement, invasive species management, and wildlife.

"The sites are part of a research program that has the primary objective of measuring responses of plants and animals to different types of timber harvesting," MacGowan said. "Participants will see some of the harvest sites where researchers and professionals will discuss aspects of their project and how it relates to other forests in Indiana."

Forest landowners and anyone interested in forests and wildlife are encouraged to attend.

Bus transportation to and from Morgan-Monroe State Forest will be provided. Participants should be prepared for any type of field condition. Once in the forest, bus access is limited and some walking in the woods will be required.

Registration is $5 and space is limited. To register, contact the Morgan County Purdue Extension office at 765-342-1010 or cparker@purdue.edu. A brochure with more information is available online at https://www.ag.purdue.edu/fnr/Documents/temp/2099-11-07HEEtour.pdf

Writer: Elise Brown, 765-496-7481, brown222@purdue.edu

Source: Brian MacGowan, 765-647-3538, macgowan@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Steve Leer, sleer@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

To the News Service home page