BLACKSBURG, Va., Sept. 28, 2004 – Virginia landowners have the opportunity to see wise resource management in Dickenson County during the Virginia Cooperative Extension and the Virginia Tech College of Natural Resources and Department of Forestry annual Forestry and Wildlife Field Tour, Friday, Oct. 8.
"The tour is designed to show forestry and wildlife management opportunities, acquaint participants with public and private sources of technical and financial management assistance and demonstrate multiple-use, sustainable, forest management practices," said Shawn A. Baker, coordinator of the Virginia Forest Landowner Education program of Virginia Cooperative Extension at Virginia Tech. The participants will see private, industry, and public lands and hear talks on how to manage the property by foresters, wildlife specialists, and owners. The programs focus on multiple-use management opportunities, Baker said.
"Learning about our natural resources is for all ages, so bring your family," Baker said, "and dress comfortably for the weather and walking in the woods. The tour will go in rain or shine."
Individuals can register in advance by contacting the registrar for the program, Brad Mullins, Virginia Cooperative Extension agriculture and natural resources agent, P.O. Box 1160 Clintwood, Va. 24228-1160 prior to the tour date. Cost is $35 for those registered in advance and $40 when paid on the program date. Participants meet for registration at 8 a.m.; the tours start at 8:30 a.m. and end no later than 5:30 p.m.
The Dickenson County tour will start at the Holiday Inn located on Highway 58 Alt., east of its intersection with U.S. 23 at Norton. The tour will start at the Forestland Group property where participants will see wildlife management activities and hunting programs to learn how hunting leases can generate cash for forest landowners. The group will see an example of surface mine land restoration at the Powell River Project before a catered lunch at a shelter on top of a mountain. They will see the environmental benefits of replacing steep mountain pasture with trees at the Freddie Mullins farm and go to the Mountain Forest Products Chip Mill and Sawmill to see how low-grade hardwood timber is converted to lumber and raw material for paper.
This annual education program is offered in cooperation with the Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Forestry Association, MeadWestvaco Corporation, Georgia Pacific Corporation, Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, International Paper Corporation, Virginia Tree Farm Committee, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Virginia Division of Soil and Water Conservation, Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Resource Management Service, Inc., Forest Landowners Association, Inc., Mountain Forest Products, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Powell River Project, Forestland Group, New River/Highlands and South Centre Corridors RC & D.
Tours of the same style will be held at Bedford County, Friday, Oct. 15, Fauquier County, Friday, Oct. 22 and Sussex County, Friday, Oct. 29.