Texas Forest Expo Course Descriptions
1. FOREST
a. Estate Planning & Timber Taxation
Planning today will leave a legacy for your family and the next generation. An important component of managing your family forests is planning for the future, today! Without proper estate and tax planning forced liquidation of family forests or severe disruption on planned forest management activities is a distinct possibility.
b. How to control undesirable vegetation
Participants of this class will learn the most efficient and effective methods of managing and controlling unwanted vegetation. Practices such as mulching (mowing), prescription burning, selective thinning, and single-stem chemical application and how these techniques can be used to eliminate invasive species and reduce fire danger will be discussed
c. Feral hogs and other nuisance animals
Native and feral animals, such as beavers and hogs, can also wreak havoc on the environment if they are not managed properly. This session will teach you how to identify these species on your property as well as cover control methods and control assistance programs available to you.
d. Pond management
How do I get rid of the green scum in my pond? Why are my fish small? Why is my water mucky and how can I clear it up? How can my pond be used by firefighters if a wildfire were to occur? These are common questions most farm pond owners ask themselves at one time or another. Proper stocking of the right species and number, a balanced harvest of mature fish, proper fertilization, water quality management, and aquatic weed control are basics all pond owners should understand. If you're interested in finding out the answers to these questions and much more then you'll want to make plans to attend this fun and interactive class.
e. Forest management
Most studies show that the trend towards smaller ownership is increasing. As a landowner, how can small scale forest management be implemented? What challenges will you face as a small scale family forest owner? Do you know that harvesting of wood products poses a challenge on small tracts because the economies of scale produced by large, technical advanced equipment are difficult to achieve. Come learn about small scale harvesting systems to overcome this obstacle. This is also a great session for private sector business entrepreneurs to gain awareness of the need for vendors in this emerging market. Upon completion of this session you will leave with strategies for overcoming the challenges of small tract ownership.
f. Chainsaw and other equipment selection, usage and maintenance
Chainsaws are common tools used by forest landowners to accomplish a variety of chores. Whether it's clearing brush, harvesting timber, cutting firewood, or cleaning up storm debris, they are efficient machines that can save an enormous amount of time when used properly. Chainsaws can, however, be very unforgiving when handled carelessly. On average 40,000 chainsaw related injuries and deaths are reported in the United States every year, and the average chainsaw injury requires 110 stitches. The good news is most chainsaw accidents are preventable. This class will cover the basics of chainsaw operation and safety as well as provide an overview of necessary safety equipment.
g. Conservation Easements
Work to protect stream and river corridors, properties with significant habitat values and provide wildlife with a home-preserve where they can be undisturbed by traffic, lights and noise. Conservation easements work with willing landowners who agree to permanently protect their lands from future development and by educating the public.
2. WILDLIFE
h. Designing your landscape with trees in mind
Using simple how-to steps, learn the basics of designing a landscape that is beneficial to birds, butterflies and other pollinators. Understand what, where and when to plant as well as designing principles used in Firewise and Wildscape. Class lecture will be followed by a hands-on demonstration and help you select the right tree for the right spot. Taking in color, form, flowering.
i. Wildscaping – attracting birds, butterflies and bees
j. Mushrooms – a walk through the fungal jungle
Discover the important roles mushrooms play in medicines, foods, and as decaying organisms. Take part in a nature observation hike identifying the most common mushrooms found in Montgomery and surrounding counties.
k. Bird watching 101
There is no one correct "method" in bird-study, any more than there is in learning to play the piano. The objective is to be able to recognize the birds when we see them, to become as familiar as possible with their habits, haunts, and seasons, to find out what and how many species are to be found in a region or locality, and perhaps take photographs of them.
l. Wildlife management
Landowners, land managers, hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts will benefit from this course. Learn how to enhance your wildlife habitat, manage populations, and increase diversity through this introductory course for landowners and land managers. Participants will learn how to implement management practices that will benefit major southern wildlife species such as deer, turkey, migratory birds and others.
3. PEOPLE & COMMUNITY
m. Trees and Energy Conservation
Everyone knows to sit in the shade to cool down on a hot day but your house can’t move. Learn how you can save not only 20-50% on your home cooling cost but also 10-15% on your home heating cost by a properly designed and maintained landscape.
n. Common tree health, disease and insect problems
The best way to protect a tree from pests including disease and insects is to have a healthy tree. However when trees become sick, learn about the 50 most important insects and diseases that can be prevented or know when it is best to remove the tree and replant.
o. How to plant and care for you trees
Think of the tree you just purchased as a lifetime investment. How well your tree, and investment, grows depends on the type of tree and location you select for planting, the care you provide when the tree is planted, and follow-up care the tree receives after planting.
p. How to become a Firewise Community USA
Texas is a wildfire state. In the 2005-06 fire season, over 700 homes in Texas burned and many more were damaged when over 2.2 million acres burned during wildfires causing $628 million in property damage. From January 1, 2008 to April 1, 2008 almost 1 million acres and 557 structures have been lost in Texas. These wildfires aren’t just a rural Texas problem, 85% of the fires start within 2 miles of a community. It doesn’t matter if your neighborhood has creeks, parks or other greenbelts or it is surrounded by forest and pasture, there are things that you can do to reduce the risk that wildfire poses to your home, neighborhood and community.
q. Family Fire Safety and Fire Prevention
Learn from the leaders of fire prevention in Texas what you can do to prevent fires from occurring and keep your family safe when they do occur. You will learn from both structural and wildland firefighters how your family can be fire smart.
r. Distinctively Better Plants for Firewise Landscapes
Wildfires are a more common occurrence in East Texas than most people realize. The biggest risk that homeowners face may not be from the large expanses of forest but actually what is right out their front door. The area around your house termed the “Home Ignition Zone” by wildland fire experts can easily be modified to not only reduce your risk of wildfire but also be attractive and beneficial to wildlife. Learn design practices and plant selection that will help protect your home. Finally what is probably the most important part of a Firewise Landscape is the maintenance aspect that allows you to keep a landscape that reduces your risk of wildfire.
s. Quiet Invasion - Invasive Species taking over the Texas landscape
Invasive species were a problem long before Chinese tallowtree appeared in Houston and will be an even greater threat in the future when new plants escape into the wild. These plants affect our forest, waterways and yards and are a great drain of resources (time and money) that could be better spent in other areas. Learn how to identify these plants before they become a problem and most cost effective ways of dealing with them.
t. Using Woody Biomass and Other Natural Resources for Energy
In an economy already burdened by the cost of increasing scarce fossil fuels, the technological solution of our times is Renewable Energy. Everything that we depend upon fossil fuels for today can be obtained from Renewable Natural Resources. We will discuss how woody biomass and other RNRs may help meet our nation’s energy demand.