Upcoming workshops in Warrenton & Manassas on creating & tending backyard woods

Do you have a few acres of woods that you’d like to be a better natural area?  While you may enjoy your woods for the privacy it offers or knowing that it gives a home to wildlife, it can be much more! 

You can influence what happens in your natural area by better understanding what you have, what you want and available tools to help you accomplish your goals. 

For example, did you know that by selecting certain trees for firewood, you can improve wildlife habitat, scenic values and regenerate young trees, all at the same time?

A two day workshop (2.5 hours/day) is being offered to equip owners of 1-10 acres to learn how to manage existing natural areas and/or create new natural areas. 

The workshop will use the award winning manual, The Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas Around Your Home. 

This full-color 139-page workbook helps woodland owners identify goals for their land, and walks through the steps to success.  Whether you are interested in converting lawn to forest, creating wildlife habitat, or providing a useful outdoor space for your family, this program is for you. 

Participants will hear from a variety of natural resource professionals, and will receive a copy of the workbook and a resource CD.

The workshop will be held in Warrenton and Manassas, each consisting of two sessions from 6-8:30pm. 

The Warrenton workshop will be on Sept. 22 and 29 at the Warrenton Fauquier Visitors Center, 33 Calhoun St, Warrenton. 

The Manassas workshop will be held Sept. 25 and Oct. 2 at the Virginia Cooperative Extension office at 8033 Ashton Ave, Ste 105, Manassas. 

This program is sponsored by Virginia Department of Forestry, John Marshall Soil and Water Conservation District, Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District and Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Attendance is limited and pre-registration is required.  The cost of the training is $20 for individuals or couple.

A brochure with more information can be downloaded from http://www.fauquiercounty.gov/government/departments/jmswcd and/or http://www.pwswcd.org  .

To register, contact Tim Ohlwiler at the Virginia Cooperative Extension 540-347-7950x0.