EDWARDS — Woodlot owners and the public are welcome to join a tour of Herb Bullock’s actively managed woodlot at 117 Campbell Rd on May 15.

Herb and Peter Smallidge, NYS Extension Forester & Director Cornell University Arnot Teaching and Research Forest, will lead the group and showcase the many management activities undertaken by Herb and his family. The event is sponsored by The New York Forest Owners Association.

Some of the topics include: impact of deer browsing on regeneration demonstrated at a deer exclosure; ash tree vaccination to halt the emerald ash borer; results of thinning cull trees; reforestation of white, red, burr and swamp oak; protection of plantings; and invasive shrub and fern management. Peter will also demonstrate how to conduct a simple field survey that uses plants as indicators of the severity of deer browsing.

The less than one mile walk is over easy terrain and will even pass by a pretty waterfall. Folks with limited mobility can ride in a side-by-side 4-wheeler and/or join a shorter tour that will cover many of the same topics.

Regional DEC Forester, Steven Sherwood, will be present to share information on the many forestry programs and services available through the NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation. Of particular interest will be the new program “Regenerate NY”, a cost-share program that will provide information and funding for qualifying forest owners to plant trees, control competing vegetation, restore a degraded forest stand and exclude deer.

Also, there will likely be a representative from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), to speak on the various programs available to forest owners such as EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentives Program), CSP (Conservation Stewardship Program) and other programs relevant to forests & woods.

Herb will provide a grilled lunch after the walk at noon. Attendees can meet and discuss management options with the many speakers of the morning program, including Craig Vollmer, the new NYFOA Executive Director. Door prizes will also be drawn at this time.

COVID safety protocols will be observed. The event is all outside and masks and sanitizers are available.

Register by Wednesday, May 12 with the number of people in your party by contacting Scott Bonno at 315-854-7788 or email glenmeal@yahoo.com .