ITALY, N.Y. — Educational Woods Walk hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Yates and Ontario counties Master Forest Owner Volunteers and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation at the High Tor Wildlife Management Area. Public invited.
The High Tor Wildlife Management Area is a local gem that we are fortunate to have in Yates and Ontario counties. The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has used best management practices over the years to promote forest regeneration to provide young forest habitat for wildlife, provide opportunities for wildlife dependent recreation, and encourage healthy forest overall. Emily Bonk from the NYS DEC will lead a public walk that highlights past forest management as well as current and future management through the Young Forest Initiative, a statewide initiative that is tied to a national initiative to promote young forests for wildlife habitat and forest health. According to the NYS DEC, “young forest is an early stage of forest with tree seedlings, saplings, woody vines, shrubs, grasses, and flowering plants growing together” (http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/104218.html). Many species of wildlife such the American woodcock, ruffed grouse and golden-winged warbler require young forest habitat, and as natural disturbances such as wildfire have been removed from the landscape and forested lands are not as actively managed as they have been in the past, these species of wildlife have lost habitat as mature forests age and are not regenerating.
During this informative walk we will highlight three different forest stands demonstrating past, current and future forest regeneration. NYS DEC staff, Master Forest Owner volunteers from Yates and Ontario counties, and Cornell Cooperative Extension staff will be on-hand to discuss general forest management and answer questions pertaining to private forest management. Please wear comfortable footwear and weather-appropriate clothing, and consider bug spray. Please be aware of ticks: long pants and boots are recommended.
We will meet at the DEC High Tor parking area on Basset Rd. in the Town of Italy (access via Italy Valley Rd.). Registration and refreshments from 8:30am – 9am, walk from 9am – noon. This event is free but please register in advance: Emily Staychock, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Yates County: ecs268@cornell.edu; 315-536-5123 x 4127.
The Cornell Cooperative Extension Master Forest Owner (MFO) program offers forest management assistance to private woodland owners. MFO volunteers provide free visits to private woodlots and connect woodlot owners to resources for forest management. To learn more please visit http://blogs.cornell.edu/ccemfo/, or contact Emily Staychock.
Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities and provides equal program and employment opportunities.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation actively manages Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) to promote quality habitat for a variety of wildlife while also providing opportunities for wildlife-dependent recreation.
–Cornell Cooperative Extension
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