Join Illinois Extension for a seminar on Woodland Management for Wildlife, Timber, and Enjoyment on Thursday, January 16 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Elizabeth Community Building, HWY 20 W. Elizabeth, IL. There will be a $10 charge to attend the seminar and pre-registration is required by Tuesday, January 14. To register or for more information please call the Jo Daviess County Extension Office at 815-858-2273 or visit us online at go.illinois.edu/jsw.

Woodlands of any size can be a source of pleasure and resources.  All forest areas tend to attract some wildlife already. Deciding to prioritize wildlife habitat improvements can enhance the abundance and enjoyment of nature.  In many cases, this management can reap other benefits including financial gains.  

The Woodland Management for Wildlife, Timber, and Enjoyment seminar will focus on understanding and setting management goals appropriate for your woodlands. We will cover making better use of small acreages, field borders, and other wooded areas not currently under a forest management plan.  These areas are often perceived as lost acreage or poor wildlife habitat.      

“Many people leave these areas for wildlife with little management or planning,” comments Olivia Rauen, National Wild Turkey Federation forester. “If you want to improve habitat for wildlife and wildlife presence, you definitely need to start doing something.  That's the active management piece - doing nothing is a management decision and not the best one for habitat.”

There is a lot of overlap between managing forest for wildlife and production forestry.  University of Illinois Extension Forester Jay Hayek will share forest management techniques to improve the health and value of timber.  Many of these techniques can also be part of the habitat improvement toolbox. Strategic timber harvesting can also play a part in improving and paying for habitat improvement efforts.