CLEMSON, S.C.–Come join Clemson Extension and the Kennedy Waterfowl and Wetlands Center for an informative workshop and field tour at the amazing Catfish Farm in Marion, SC. Newly renovated and expanded, The Catfish Farm contains world class managed wetlands featuring flooded crops such as rice and corn, moist soil management of native vegetation, green tree reservoirs, and deep ponds that provide a diverse array of habitat types for migrating waterfowl. This workshop provides an opportunity to interact with South Carolina’s leading waterfowl and wetlands experts to discuss waterfowl biology, wetland design and management, crop planting and maintenance, controlling weeds and nuisance wildlife, as well as managing hunters and hunts to improve bird retention. Richardson Construction, the new owner of The Catfish Farm, has made recent investments in building new wetlands and expanding habitat, and the field tour will give you an opportunity to see established wetlands that have been managed for many years with waterfowl in mind as well as visit newly constructed wetlands that were just completed in the last year or two.
The workshop is a one day event, but we are offering an option for overnight lodging for those who would like to join us for dinner and a social the evening before the workshop. Participants who attend the social will get to interact with students and researchers currently conducting waterfowl research at the Kennedy Center. When you register, please choose option 1 if you would like to attend just the workshop on Feb. 7th for $50.00 or option 2 if you would like to come the evening before for dinner and social for $75.00.
For individuals seeking continuing education credits, this workshop qualifies for certified forestry education credits, certified education units for wildlife biologists, and pesticide recertification credits.
Pesticide Licensees!! This class qualifies for 1 pesticide credit
Program Agenda:
Tuesday, 6 February
6:00 p.m. Arrival, social (sponsored by Winyah Land and Timber), and dinner (TBA)
Wednesday, 7 February
7:00 am Breakfast (for those who registered for overnight lodging)
7:30 am Sign-in and registration
8:00 am Waterfowl in Winter: Birds’ Needs and Habitats (Dr. Rick Kaminski, Kennedy Center, Clemson)
8:45 am Infrastructure: Levees, Dams, Water-control structures (Travis Folk, Folk Land Management)
9:15 am Water Pumping and Compliance (Mullen Taylor)
9:45 am Break
10:00 am Cropland and Noxious Weed Management (Marion Barnes, Clemson Extension)
10:30 am Baiting Regulations (Lee Ellis, SC DNR)
11:00 am Moist-soil and Semi-permanent Wetlands Management (Bob Perry, retired SC DNR)
11:30 am Green-tree Reservoir and Beaver Pond Management (Bob Perry, Rick Kaminski)
Noon Lunch
1:00 pm Hunt Management (Bob Perry)
1:30 pm Controlling Feral Pigs and Other Nuisance Wildlife (Ben Powell, Clemson Extension)
2:00 pm Open Forum and Panel Discussion: Questions and Other Topics of Interest
2:30 pm Field Trip around Catfish Farm Waterfowl Habitats
5:00 pm Adjourn
Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 6:00pm to 10:00pm
More dates through February 7, 2018
The Catfish Farm, The Lodge 1199 Terrell’s Bay Rd., Marion, SC 29571
–Clemson Extension
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