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Forestry Field Day, open to all timberland owners and those interested in wildlife management, will be Oct. 18, 9 a.m. – noon, with lunch provided. Registration for the free event starts at 8 a.m. The event will be located on private property in Geneva on Hwy. 69 and signs will be posted along the highway to give directions.

Though a similar event is held in Marengo County annually, this year’s holds more prestige and will be larger as Roy Jordan, former president of the Alabama TREASURE Forest Association and landowner of Treasure Forest 337, is the recipient of the Helene Mosley Memorial TREASURE Forest Award, which is given to landowners for excellent management of their forestland.

“It means a little more than a regular landowner tour,” said Jim Dixon, forestry specialist with the Alabama Forestry Commission.

Bayne Moore, a forester also with the Alabama Forestry Commission, said the tour would provide landowners with the knowledge necessary to manage their property in an environmentally friendly and sustainable way.

“The main objective of a tour … is to educate the public on timberland and wildlife management,” Moore said.

Speakers of the event include Andrew Green from the Alabama Department of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries discussing wildlife management, Jack Rowe from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System discussing pollinators, Ray Metzler from the Alabama Forestry Commission discussing hardwood management for wildlife and Ryan Mitchell from The Longleaf Alliance discussing longleaf and loblolly pine management.

“We will actually pull around the different sites, and they will discuss the site and what’s going on there and what you want to look for and manage at these different stops,” Moore said.

Lunch will be provided following the presentations. After lunch, there will be a demonstration of a drone taking aerial pictures.

Vendors and door prizes will be available, as well as 1.5 points each for the Continuing Forestry Education and Professional Logging Manager (PLM) programs for anyone looking to maintain certified forester or PLM status.

Though the preferred registration day is Oct. 12 in order to get an accurate estimate for food, RSVPs will be accepted up to Oct. 17 by calling 334-295-5959.

The event is hosted by the Marengo County Forestry Planning Committee, Alabama Natural Resources Council, Alabama Forestry Commission and Alabama TREASURE Forest Association.

To arrive at the location from Linden, travel along Highway 69 South towards Nanafalia for 14 miles and follow tour signs. To arrive from Nanafalia, travel along Highway 69 North for four miles and follow tour signs.

(This article will be published in the upcoming Saturday, October 13 edition of the Demopolis Times.)