Public invited to field day

FAYETTE — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University Extension will be showcasing various forestry practices at Volga River State Recreation Area as part of a public field day May 21.

Field day activities include reviewing the recent clear cut, discussions on black walnuts, chronic wasting disease and ruffed grouse, proper planting, pruning and stock selection and participating in a campground planting project at Volga River State Park.

The field day has demonstration areas and various speakers highlighting these practices.

“We want Volga to be a model of doing forest stewardship correctly,” said Jason Walker, district forester from the Iowa DNR’s office in Charles City.

“We are following plan developed for this 4,000-acre timber and the field day setting is a good way to highlight different management practices and allows for a good discussion.”

Attendees should plan to bring a sack lunch. There is no cost to attend.

Participants will meet at the Volga Lake boat ramp parking lot, 18450 I Ave, Fayette. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Participants will travel to the sites at 9:50 a.m.

Concurrent 40-minute sessions will begin at 10 a.m. Sessions are Recent Clear-Cut Review; Biltmore Stick Demo/Black Walnut Discussion; and Chronic Wasting Disease Updates/Grouse Management.

Everyone should bring a lunch for the noon break.

At 12:45 p.m., an Urban Tree Planting/Care Workshop; Proper Planting Demonstration; Pruning/Stock Selection and Campground Planting Project (split into groups, plant trees) begin.

The field day wraps up at 3:15 p.m.