Opportunities abound to learn about natural resource-themed topics through several upcoming workshops and field days.  Topics will range from forestry and woodland management, to conservation cropping systems, to invasive species. The Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District is pleased to promote these programs.

Arrow Head Country RC&D Forestry Field Day will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 8, on the Wipperman Property, 15858 16C Road, northeast of Culver. This property has been actively managed for hardwood timber production for a number of years. Protecting seedlings from deer damage, timber sales, timber stand improvement and invasive exotic plant removal are topics scheduled to be covered.  Foresters from the private sector and the Indiana IDNR will be on hand along with Dr. Mike Jenkins, a forest ecologist from Purdue University.  For more information, contact James Potthoff, District Forester, (219) 843-4827 or [email protected].

Breakfast with a Forester is returning to Kosciusko County from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.  Aug. 18, at the American Table, US 30, Warsaw. Sponsored by the Forestry Committee of Arrow Head Country RC&D, this informal setting will allow the participants to direct what topics will be covered.  Professional foresters will be on hand to answer questions about forest and woodland issues. Breakfast is on your own.  For more information, contact James Potthoff, District Forester, (219) 843-4827 or [email protected].

Conservation Cropping Systems is a field day sponsored by the Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Steuben and LaGrange counties. It will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 19, at the Moody Farms, 3285 N. CR 650E, Fremont.

Featured speaker will be Dr. Ray Weil, Professor of Soil Science at the Univeristy of Maryland. His research focuses on soil organic matter management for enhanced soil ecosystem functions and nutrient cycling for water quality and agricultural sustainability. Lunch will be provided. For more information, contact the Steuben County SWCD at (260) 665-3211.

Save the date! Two excellent events will both be held on Oct. 17. A Woodland Invasive Species workshop will take place at Koinonia Nature Preserve, 9 a.m. to noon. This event will begin with a discussion about invasive species and then head to the woods to help participants learn how to identify and eradicate them. This event is being sponsored by the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Northern Indiana Cooperative Management organization.  For more information, contact the Kosciusko County SWCD office, (574) 267-7445×3 or [email protected]

Also on Oct. 17, the annual Four County Forestry Field Day will take place on the Bob Fietz farm, 67998 Linden Road, Lakeville. This event is sponsored by the Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Kosciusko, Elkhart, Marshall and St. Joseph counties.

For more information, contact the St. Joseph SWCD office at (574) 936-2024, x4.