Make plans to attend the Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference scheduled for March 2, 2024, in Freeport, Illinois, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The conference is designed specifically for forest landowners in the Midwest, but forestry professionals, consultants, volunteers, Master Naturalists, and students are all encouraged to attend. Check-in will be from 8 to 9 a.m. that morning. The conference begins promptly at 9 a.m.  at the Highland Community College Student Conference Center (Building H, Parking Lot A), 2998 W. Pearl City Road, Freeport, IL

The day begins with a keynote presentation by Jason Meyer, executive director of the White Oak Initiative.  Jason will discuss the ecological and economic importance of white oak along with efforts underway to sustain white oaks on the landscape. 

Following the keynote are three breakout sessions, each offering three classes. Topics on the agenda include bottomland forest management, timber harvesting, forest taxes, invasive species control, prescribed fire, tree diseases and pathogens, wildlife management, tree physiology, streambank erosion, forest soils, tree identification, and silvopasture. The day will conclude with a discussion with experts from each of the state’s Extension professionals on the state of forestry in the tri-state area.

To attend the Tri-State Forest Stewardship Conference pre-register online at https://go.illinois.edu/TriState or by calling University of Illinois Extension at (815) 235-4125. Registration, including lunch, is $40 by February 23 and $50 afterward. Early registration is required to ensure seating and lunch.