Ohio Woodland Stewards Program

Join us this Friday September 13th for our Friday Escape to the Forest webinar – American Sycamore Sap and Syrup: What We Know and What We Don’t Know.

Learn more about the potential to take sap from this native tree and making a sweet treat. We will have a research update from Luke Taylor-Ide and Sarah Collins-Simmons of Future Generations University. They have been working with sycamore trees to make syrup and will give us an update on the possibilities.

Register to attend at go.osu.edu/sycamore.

Next week is Farm Science Review! Be sure to stop by the Gwynne Conservation Area for natural resources programming, exhibits, demonstrations, and guided tours.

Tuesday, September 17's theme is Eat Wild. Visit https://fsr.osu.edu/home for more details.

Throwback photo of the tractor bringing attendees to locations around the Gwynne Conservation Area.

Learn about succession planning from Les Ober in our latest blog for at https://u.osu.edu/ohiomaple/2024/09/02/succession-planning/.

Succession Planning | Ohio State Maple Succession Planning September 2, 2024August 26, 2024 by Les Ober at 2:00pmAugust 26, 2024 Hanging on the walls of the Geauga County Extension Office are photographs of the Geauga County Maple Hall of Fame inductees. Many are producers who have passed on. The sad truth is that very few of those sugar...

Wetlands are incredibly important features of the natural landscape, providing countless ecosystem services to local ecology and wildlife. Join us on September 9 from 9:00AM-3:00PM at The Ohio State University at Mansfield campus for a day-long class on wetland restoration!

This class will be taught by the School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University's Gabe Karns, Jo Peacock, and Marne Titchenell.

Registration deadline: September 2. Register at https://senr.osu.edu/events/basin-banks-wetland-restoration-0.

Ohio State University Extension Ohio State University Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources

Photo of attendee from the 2023 Wetland Restoration class looking at a dip net contents from the wetland.

Today is the deadline to register for this course. Hope to see you there!

Join us on August 15, 2024 at The Ohio State University at Mansfield campus for a class on restoring wet meadows!

Open habitats vegetated by grasses and flowering plants are important features of the natural landscape. Come and learn about these habitats and the plants and wildlife that depend upon them. We will use a wet meadow to explore the restoration process from the forest edge to the middle of the meadow.

This class will be outdoors, beginning at the Maple Pavilion and ending in the field.

Register by August 8 at https://woodlandstewards.osu.edu/events/field-forest-restoring-meadow.

Ohio State University Extension School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University Ohio State University Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources

Join us on August 15, 2024 at The Ohio State University at Mansfield campus for a class on restoring wet meadows!

Open habitats vegetated by grasses and flowering plants are important features of the natural landscape. Come and learn about these habitats and the plants and wildlife that depend upon them. We will use a wet meadow to explore the restoration process from the forest edge to the middle of the meadow.

This class will be outdoors, beginning at the Maple Pavilion and ending in the field.

Register by August 8 at https://woodlandstewards.osu.edu/events/field-forest-restoring-meadow.

Ohio State University Extension School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University Ohio State University Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources

Spend the day with us learning about the steps to use when trying to identify trees on August 22 from 10AM to 3PM at Coyote Run in Pickerington, Ohio. Join Ohio State University Extension and Ohio Woodland Stewards Program Co-Director Kathy Smith and Carrie Brown as we talk about key characteristics and resources to use in the process.

We will start out inside and spend the afternoon outside practicing hands-on identification.

Register by August 15 at https://woodlandstewards.osu.edu/events/name-tree-7.

Photo of Kathy Smith and attendee from the 2022 Name That Tree class.

Ohio State University Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources

Mark your calendar for Pancakes with Pollinators on August 28 at The Ohio State University at Mansfield campus from 12 to 1:30PM! This event will take place at the Monarch Right-of-Way Pollinator Demonstration Plots in front of Ovalwood Hall.

Learn about pollinators at this Ecolab event. See how research works to create pollinator habitat along Ohio’s utility right of ways, learn about native bees and butterflies, and talk to natural resource experts about the critical need for pollinator habitat.

Don’t miss this fun event (no registration required)! We will be serving pancakes with syrup.



Photos are from the 2023 Pancakes with Pollinators event.

Are you a hunter, landowner, or wildlife enthusiast? If so, please join the Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Division of Wildlife for an evening workshop about chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Ohio’s wild deer herd.

Chronic Wasting Disease in Ohio’s Wild Deer Herd: What You Need to Know
August 8 – Hardin County
August 12 – Union County
August 29 – Wyandot County
September 5 – Crawford County
September 10 – Allen County
September 12 – Marion County

All workshops are 6:30 – 8:30PM.

Each workshop will cover:
What is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)?
Navigating Disease Surveillance Area Regulations
Carcass Handling Restrictions & Best Management Practices
Where and How to Test my Deer for CWD?
How does CWD impact Deer Management?

There is no fee to attend these workshops. Due to space limitations, REGISTRATION is REQUIRED.

Visit go.osu.edu/cwdworkshop to register.

"If you are an Ohio Maple Syrup Producer, how would you describe your 2024 maple season in one word? Early, different, weird, disappointing, average, surprising, long, short, exhausting, and the list goes on – perhaps even some words that cannot be printed here"

Did you happen to read our 2024 Maple Season Summary back in May? If not, check it out at https://u.osu.edu/ohiomaple/2024/05/06/2024-maple-season-summary/.

The 2024 Ohio Bat Blitz is August 23-24th at the Grand River Conservation Campus in Ashtabula County. Over these two nights, bat biologists and volunteers from around the state will be surveying the bat community in the surrounding areas. The purpose of the blitz is to gain valuable information about bat populations in the Grand River area, provide experience to students and young professionals, and engage the public in bat conservation.

Registration is NOW OPEN for the education events we have planned during the blitz. Register at visit go.osu.edu/BatBlitz. For some events, space is limited, so don’t wait.

Please fill out this form

Check this event out on August 10!

Today is the deadline to register for this class! Sign up today at https://woodlandstewards.osu.edu/events/bats-what-you-didnt-learn-watching-batman-0.

Spend the evening with Ohio State University Extension's Marne Titchenell and Carrie Brown on July 15 from 6:30-9:30PM as we discuss all things bats at the beautiful Coyote Run Nature Preserve in Fairfield County.

Learn the status of Ohio’s bats, how to provide habitat in forests and backyard spaces, and how researchers study bats! The evening will conclude with a walk around the preserve using equipment to listen in on bat echolocation calls.

Register by July 8 at https://go.osu.edu/crbats.

Photo from last year's Bat Program with Marne next to a mistnet.


Ohio State University Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University

Spend the evening with Ohio State University Extension's Marne Titchenell and Carrie Brown on July 15 from 6:30-9:30PM as we discuss all things bats at the beautiful Coyote Run Nature Preserve in Fairfield County.

Learn the status of Ohio’s bats, how to provide habitat in forests and backyard spaces, and how researchers study bats! The evening will conclude with a walk around the preserve using equipment to listen in on bat echolocation calls.

Register by July 8 at https://go.osu.edu/crbats.

Photo from last year's Bat Program with Marne next to a mistnet.


Ohio State University Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University

Join Extension and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources — Division of Wildlife for a workshop about chronic wasting disease (CWD) in white-tailed deer.

The workshops will be held face-to-face in multiple Ohio counties. Visit https://bit.ly/3xmXhdT to view dates, times, and locations for the programs and to register (required).

School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University

If you are familiar with our annual Ohio Woodlands Water and Wildlife Conference, then you may want to check out this new event on Friday, July 12 from 8:15AM to 4:00PM!

Woodland Water and Wildlife LIVE is a collection of topics about natural resources where you will get more time (1.5 hours for each session) and weather permitting will spend a good portion of that time outdoors. Topics include tree diagnostics, deer management, vernal pools, invasive species, aquatic plants, and birds to name a few.

Join us for a day exploring the 600-acre The Ohio State University at Mansfield campus through these sessions.

Registration is open online at go.osu.edu/wwwlive. Register by July 5.



School of Environment and Natural Resources at The Ohio State University Ohio State University Extension Ohio State University Extension Agriculture and Natural Resources Ohio Division of Wildlife Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry

Register now for the “Getting a Handle on Invasive Species” workshop offered by A DAY in the WOODS. This program is for woodland owners and enthusiasts in SE Ohio at Lake Snowden on Friday, June 14th.

If you would like to learn more about invasive species, please join us to:

🌳Learn how to identify non-native invasive species
🌳Get to know how invasive plants affect woodland health and what can be done to control them
🌳Get tips for when and how to control invasives and what to do after treatment

Register at http://go.osu.edu/aditw

Today is World Turtle Day! Did you know: in Ohio, we have 11 species of turtle? Found in woodlands throughout Ohio, the Eastern Box Turtle is our most terrestrial turtle.

Pictured here is an Eastern Box Turtle at Gilmore Ponds in Hamilton, Ohio. Photo taken by Andrew C.

There is still time to register for Camp Canopy! Check out details below.

Are you excited for camp?! Check out this year's schedule featuring electrofishing and chainsaw safety and many other skills athttps://campcanopy.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/2024-Camp-Canopy-Schedule.pdf

Not signed up yet? There's still time! Register today at campcanopy.com.

🐝 It's world bee day! 🐝 Did you know that there are approximately 500 native bee species in the Buckeye State? It’s true! Read more about them in this Pollinator Quick Guide — https://bit.ly/4bERVtr.

Back in April, the maple team had an opportunity to table as an Experience Partner at the PAST Foundation's STEM of Spirits event.

Read more about it on this in our blog at https://u.osu.edu/ohiomaple/2024/04/29/maple-as-stem-past-party/.

Maple as STEM – PAST Party | Ohio State Maple Maple as STEM – PAST Party April 29, 2024April 21, 2024 by Gabe Karns at 2:00pmApril 21, 2024 We had an opportunity to table as an Experience Partner at the PAST Foundation‘s STEM of Spirits event this past Friday evening. What a wonderful event and chance to showcase maple as a local food that ...

Join Hardy Kern with the American Bird Conservancy and Matt Shumar with Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative for our Friday's Escape to the Forest Webinar on May 10th, 10 AM-12 PM, If it Bugs the Bugs, it Bugs the Birds! Find out how pest control impacts birds, understand the chemicals you use, and learn ways to make your surroundings bird-friendly while keeping pests under control.

To register, visit: go.osu.edu/bugsbirds.

The webinar will be recorded and posted to our website: https://woodlandstewards.osu.edu/resources/webinars

Get excited, it’s Amphibian Week! This week highlights the athletic amphibians from around the world! From the American Bull Frog that can leap an outstanding 21 ft., to the Two-Lined Salamander that camouflages against their surroundings to avoid being spotted by predators! This week is a great way to learn all about amphibians while also celebrating them! There are many events for all ages happening this week.

Visit https://parcplace.org/education/amphibianweek2024/ for more information!

Amphibian Week 2024 | PARC Amphibian Week was started in 2020 by the Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (PARC) and partners as a way to increase awareness about amphibians and to celebrate all things amphibian. It is celebrated annually the first full week of May. Mark your calendars for our Amphibian Week 2024 ce...

Do you know a high school student with a passion for the outdoors? Our office is offering a scholarship to a Franklin county high school student, to attend the weeklong Camp Canopy in Carrollton, Ohio June 9-14!
This camp is a great opportunity to get out in nature and learn professional forestry, wildlife ID and outdoor skills. To learn more and apply for the scholarship visit our website and apply by May 13: https://www.franklinswcd.org/camp-canopy-scholarship

Ticks can be as small as a poppy seed. There are 5 ticks in this photo. Can you spot them? Use EPA-registered insect repellent to prevent tick bites.

WCHD offers free tick kits, complete with a tick identification card, instructions on proper tick removal, and tweezers. If you are interested in picking up a kit, give us a call at 513-695-3126!

Camp Canopy – Discover Forestry | Discover Wildlife | Discover Adventure

🌲 Our experts are using a 3-D teaching tool to help identify two invasive tree pests — the hemlock wooly adelgid and the elongate hemlock scale.

🔍 Proper identification is crucial as pest management strategies differ for each of these invasive insects. This ensures that the correct treatment is applied for effective pest control.