FORESTRY FIELD

DAY SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23RD The Muskingum River Woodland Interest Group

(MRWIG) in partnership with local Soil and Water

Conservation Districts (SWCD’s) and the Ohio

Department of Natural Resources, will be hosting a

forestry field day at the McGee Farm just south of

Zanesville in September. This day-long event will

cover such topics as crop tree release, wildlife

habitat improvement, chainsaw safety and tree

felling, invasive plant control, and how to conduct a

proper timber sale. All presenters are experts in

their field and include foresters, biologists, and

timber harvesters/buyers. The day will conclude

with a ticket raffle for registered participants

(tickets will be available for purchase at the event).

LEARN HOW TO

MANAGE YOUR

WOODLAND

PRESENTATIONS BY

EXPERTS IN THE FIELD

IMPROVE WILDLIFE

HABITAT

RAFFLE PRIZES

ALL WELCOME!

Pre-registration is required; please

contact your local Soil & Water

Conservation District, visit www.mrwig.org,

or call (740) 961-0194

for more details.

Saturday, September 23rd

10 AM to 3 PM

Directions to September 23rd, 2017 MRWIG Field Day

Event will take place 10 AM-3 PM

From Zanesville, take State Route 60 south approximately two miles

until you reach the 719 Bridge; take this west across the Muskingum

River and immediately turn south on State Route 555. Remain on State

Route 555 for approximately six miles past St. John’s Lutheran Church to

Wentworth Drive. There will be signs for the event and parking on the

EAST side of the road in Tom McGee’s hayfield.

For a GPS, the address that will get you close to the event will be:

7275 Wentworth Drive, Philo, OH 43771

Muskingum River Woodland Interest Group 2017 Field Day Registration | September 23rd

Please fill out the information below, include a check for payment, and return to: Jim Stafford/Kim Cortright, Treasurer 766 Linden Ave. Suite C Zanesville, Ohio 43701 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please Fill out and Return by Friday, September 1st

Name

Address

City

State Zip

Home Phone

Cell Phone

Email

Please select one:

$10 Non-member registration + complementary one-year MRWIG membership

MRWIG member registration (free)

Total Included: $ ________ (Checks can be made payable to: MRWIG)

www.mrwig.org

Muskingum River

Woodland Interest Group Officers

President: Tim Mason 740.404.8592 Vice Pres: Lori Totman 740.392.7275 Treasurer: Jim Stafford/ Kim Cortright 740.453.4400 Secretary: Adam Komar 740.961.0194

“Meeting the needs of woodland owners with activities and education”

3rd Annual Joint Mushroom Foray with Ohio Mushroom Society Presented by Sharron Greenberg Ohio Mushroom Society July 8th, 2017

This year MRWIG decided to do their third annual joint mushroom foray with OMS a little later than usual to explore a little more about the summer mushrooms available at Blue Rock State Forest. Instead of the usual morels, oyster, and pheasant-back mushrooms, members were able to find the edible chanterelle, several different kinds of Boletes, and even members of the deadly genus Amanita (one example being the “destroying angel,” Amanita bisporigera). These mushrooms are important parts of the forest ecosystem (even the extremely toxic ones), as many are mycorrhizal and help plants take in water and nutrients. Plus, many summer mushrooms are choice edibles are are much easier to find than the fabeled morel!

Living on the Edge Native wildflowers that can be found on woodland edges August, 2017

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) is commonly found on roadsides and in hayfields

We are in the dog days of summer, but there is still much interest out on the landscape! Many plants native to eastern Ohio are still flowering, bringing a splash of color to the land and providing much needed food for many pollinators. Many species of milkweed (Asclepias spp.), wild sunflower (Helianthus spp.), mountain mint (Pycnanthemum spp.), black-eyed susans (Rudbeckia spp.), goldenrod (Solidago spp.), and ironweed (Vernonia spp.) are in full bloom right now and will continue to flower into the early fall.

July/August 2017

www.mrwig.org

Woodland sunflower (Helianthus strumosus) found along a roadside in Muskingum County

Ironweed (Vernonia spp.) is an important late-season source of pollen and nectar for many insects.

Many of these plants are considered “weeds” by many farmers and gardeners, but can bring considerable value to any open area that is not being cultivated. If

you have honey bees, or are just wanting to support native bee populations, planting a portion of your land to these species is extremely beneficial—not to mention aesthetically pleasing! There are several nurseries in the region that specialize in supplying native plants; many also have good information about establishing native wildflowers. Some Ohio nurseries include:

www.ohioprairienursery.com

www.noddingoniongardens.com

www.nativeohioplants.com These are just a few examples; there are many nurseries across Ohio that specialize in native plants! Of course if you are frugal, simply find some wild populations of these plants you can legally collect seed from, and wait until that seed is ready to harvest! It is a fun early fall activity that the whole family can enjoy.

Next Meeting: September- Field day Please see the accompanying flier and directions for more information regarding the September field day! November- Pollinators & Banquet Upcoming Meetings Specific locations and speakers will be announced as the schedule is finalized. Check our website, www.mrwig.org, for the most up-to-date meeting information.