Friends of Shimek Forest education day set

Friends of Shimek will have its second free Annual Forest Education Day 9 a.m. to noon March 22.

Anyone interested in learning about Shimek Forest and the trees they see around them every day in southeast Iowa should meet at the Shimek State Forest Headquarters about a miles north of Farmington at 33653 Route J56.

Forester John Byrd will be the host for a morning of educational fun to learn more about the forest and how to help protect it.

By popular demand, one of the topics will be tree identification. Topics also will include forest management and the emerald ash borer threat.

The group will be outdoors; come prepared for a short hike. The group also will carpool to different locations within the forest.

Preregistration is not required, but it would be helpful for Byrd to know about how many people to expect. If planning to attend, contact Byrd at John.Byrd@dnr.iowa.gov or 319-878-3811.

Further information about Friends of Shimek can be found at http://friendsofshimek.blogspot.com/.