2007 Calendar of Past Events

last update: 12/20/07

Biographical Information About Speakers/Instructors: A-C, D-I, J-Q, R-Z

> January 2007

January 6…Calhoun County 7 PM to 9 PM.
Winter Frog Pond Adventure. Join Dr. Frog for a winter search for amphibians. Fee: $5/adult, $2.50/student. Sponsor: Jacksonville State University Field School. Contact Renee Morrison at (256) 782-5697or rmorrison@jsu.edu.

January 9...Live Oak, Florida  9 AM to 3 PM.
The Nuts & Bolts of Starting an Agri, Eco, or Heritage Tourism Business. Fee: $10. Contact Linda Landrum at (386) 362-1725x105 or llandrum@ufl.edu.

January 9...Jefferson County 10 AM to 12 PM.
Black Warrior River Basin Clean Water Partnership Meeting. Location: Alabama Power Company Division Office, 1313 6th Avenue North, Birmingham 35203. Contact Kellie Johnston at (205) 251-8139 or warriorcwp@hotmail.com.

January 9...Shelby County 6:30 PM.
Alabama Quail Hunters Dinner & Program at Lloyd’s Restaurant on U.S. 280. Dutch Treat Dinner from menu. Contact Bob Carr at (205) 424-1381 or coalcarr@bham.rr.com.

January 10...Cullman County 9:30 AM.
Warrior River (upper sub-basin) Clean Water Partnership Meeting at Cullman County Soil & Water Conservation District Office. Contact Kellie Johnston at (205) 251-8139 or warriorcwp@hotmail.com.

January 11...Walker County 2 PM to 4 PM.
Warrior River (middle sub-basin) Clean Water Partnership Meeting at Bevill State Community College, Sumiton. Contact Kellie Johnston at (205) 251-8139 or warriorcwp@hotmail.com.

January 13...Bibb County 9 AM to 3 PM.
Woody Biomass Harvesting: Management Tool for Landowners. "The challenges of a depressed pulpwood market and the risks associated with prescribed fire have many landowners accepting overstocked stands and heavy mid-story conditions as 'normal'. This does not have to be the case." Location: U.S. Forest Service Workstation, Bibb County Road 1, Brent. Contact Talladega National Forest, Oakmulgee District at (205) 926-9765 or cragland@fs.fed.us.

January 16...Barbour County 11 AM to 2 PM.
Chattahoochee-Chipola River Basin Clean Water Partnership Meeting. Location: Alabama Power Company Building, Eufaula. Contact Billy Houston at (334) 688-1000 bhoustonacf@bellsouth.net.

January 16...Tuscaloosa County 2 PM to 4 PM.
Warrior River (lower sub-basin) Clean Water Partnership Meeting at Tuscaloosa Soil & Water Conservation District Office. Contact Kellie Johnston at (205) 251-8139 or warriorcwp@hotmail.com.

January 16...Wilcox County  6:00 PM.
Forest Taxation with AFC Tax Specialist Lou Hyman. Location: Lower Coastal Plains Substation Building, Camden. Contact Paul Wingard at (334) 682-4421 or Wilcox.County@forestry.alabama.gov or John Ollison at (205) 459-2133.

January 17...Elmore County 10 AM to 1:30 PM.
Alabama-Tombigbee River Basin Clean Water Partnership Meeting. Location: Moved to Alabama Wildlife Federation Headquarters in Millbrook, 3050 Lanark Road, 36054. Contact Ashley Henderson at (334) 270-8236 or ahendersoncwp@charter.net.

AFOA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

JANUARY 18, 2007...Nationwide Teleconference 10:00 AM Central Time.
Topic: Communication Skills For Successful Forest Ownership
Instructor: Brooks Mendell, PhD, Principal and Founder of Forisk Consulting.
Dr. Mendell, author of Loving Trees is Not Enough: Communication Skills for Natural Resource Professionals, covers some of the communication skills landowners need when dealing with Consulting Foresters, Accountants, Loggers, Neighbors, Hunters, Biologists, Trespassers, etc. Audience members asked questions during the program.
Audio: Click Here for First Half of 1 Hour Discussion
Audio: Click Here for Second Half of 1 Hour Discussion

download realplayer free

January 19 (postponed from Jan. 12)...Cullman County 6 PM.
Alliance for Citizens Rights Meeting will discuss upcoming legislative session and eminent domain news. Location: Jack's Restaurant at I-65 Exit 304. Call (256) 498-3802 or write patrici7@comcast.net.

January 24...Montgomery County 8 AM.
18th Annual NonPoint Source Conference. Sponsor: Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). Fee: free; lunch provided. Location: Embassy Suites Hotel. Space limited, reservations required. Fax or email name, address, & phone number to  Molly Tatum at (334) 279-3051 or mt@adem.state.al.us. Editor’s Note: NonPoint Source Water Quality Regulations have a direct affect on the management of, and income from, your land. Please try to meet Capital Ideas editor Lee Laechelt during the 8 AM registration period.

January 24-25...Athens, Georgia.
Timber Market Analysis. Instructors: Drs. Brooks Mendell and Tim Sydor. Location: UGA Center for Continuing Education. Fee: $445; $50 discount if paid by 1/3/07. Call 1-800-884-1381.

January 25...Chambers County  8 AM CT.
In-service Training in Forestry & Forests for Teachers sponsored by the County Forestry Planning Committee. Landowners should urge teachers to attend. Location: Farmers Federation Building, LaFayette. Topics to include Ethanol From Wood, Timber Cruise Hands-on, Sawmill Tour, and Jeopardy Forestry Quiz. Fee: free; lunch provided. Teachers from outside Chambers County, please contact Bill Frazer at (334) 864-7865 or wrfrazer@yahoo.com.

January 25...Mobile County 7 PM.
Mobile County Landowners’ Association Meeting at Jon Archer Agriculture Center on North Schillinger Road, Mobile. Shrimp gumbo will be served at 6:30 — come early. Contact Luci Sheffield at (251) 633-7195 or lucishef@webtv.net.

January 27...Jefferson County 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM.
Becoming a Winter Tree Finder (Winter Tree Identification) with about.com forester Steve Nix at Aldridge Botanical Gardens, 3530 Lorna Road, Hoover, 35216. Fee: $25 includes a copy of Winter Tree Finder by May & Tom Watts. Contact Larry Quick at (205) 682-8019x5 or aldridgelq@bellsouth.net.

January 31...Statewide.
End of Deer Hunting Season.

> February 2007

February 1...Mobile County 10 AM to 1 PM.
Coastal River Basins Clean Water Partnership Meeting. Location: Original Oyster House, Mobile Causeway. Contact Kara Lankford at (251) 431-6409 or klankford@mobilebaynep.com.

February 1-3...Cleburne County.
Environmental Education Association of Alabama Annual Conference at Cheaha State Park. Fee: $80 plus $10 for optional field trip. Contact Jeff Hughes at (256) 725-7027 or jeff_turtlekeeper@yahoo.com.

February 3...Calhoun County 7 PM.
Late Winter Frog Pond Adventures (part of “First Saturday Series”). “Join Dr. Frog for a late winter search for amphibians.” Fee: $5. Contact Renee Morrisson at (256) 782-5697 or rmorrison@jsu.edu.

February 5...Nationwide Audio Conference. 12 Noon CT
The Family Constitution: Why It Benefits Your Family and Your Family Business  presented by the Family Business Advisor. Discussion leaders: Dr. John L. Ward and Dr. Denise Kenyon-Rouvinez.
Discussion Topics:
► Why adopt a Family Constitution?
► Are there different types of Family Constitutions?
► What shapes the Family Constitution?
► What should be included in its content?
► What is the process for writing and adopting a Family Constitution?
► What roles do advisors play in the process?
Fee: $159. To register, contact the FBA at 1-800-551-0633 or editor@efamilybusiness.com. Click here for updates.

February 7...Live Oak, Florida 9 AM to 3 PM.
Show Me The Money & Put It All Together: Starting an Agri or Nature Tourism Business. Fee: $10. Contact Linda Landrum at (386) 362-1725x105 or llandrum@ufl.edu.

February 5-22...Tuscaloosa County 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
GIS I Using ArcGIS9 Software (computer mapping) at Shelton State Community College. Fee: $350. Call (205) 391-2434.

February 8...Tallahassee, Florida 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM.
Winter Deciduous Tree Identification (Indoor Lab) using twigs and buds at the Leon Extension Auditorium. Fee: $7.50 ($10 for both Feb 8 and Feb 15). Call Genice at (850) 606-5202.

February 8...Alcorn County, Mississippi 6:30 PM.
Timber Tax -- Quick Overview. Call John Mitchell at phone number?

February 9...Mossy Head, Florida 1:30 PM.
Forest Stewardship Property Tour at Shoal Sanctuary. Supper included with free registration, but please register. Call Chris and Robert Larson at (850) 651-0392.

February 10...Montgomery County 9 AM.
Conservation Advisory Board Meeting in Gordon Persons Building, 50 North Ripley Street, Montgomery. This board advises the Conservation Department on Hunting Laws and other matters. Arrive at 8 AM if you wish to address the Board. Contact Robin Nummy at (334) 242-3486 or Robin.Nummy@dcnr.alabama.gov.

February 12-14...Newton, Georgia.
Managing Forestlands Sustainably: Workshops in Ecological Forestry. The course is designed for those working in both the public and private sector with an interest in managing southeastern fire maintained pine/grassland woodlands for multiple objectives including timber, wildlife and sustaining or restoring native diversity. Instructors include Robert Mitchell, Steve Jack, Leon Neel, and Jerry Franklin. Location: Jones Ecological Research Center. Call Kevin McIntyre or Jessica McCorvey at (229) 734-4706.

February 13...Shelby County 6:30 PM.
Alabama Quail Hunters Dinner & Program at Lloyd’s Restaurant on U.S. 280. Speaker: Mark Thomas, Wildlife Biologist. Dutch Treat Dinner from menu. Contact Bob Carr at (205) 424-1381 or coalcarr@bham.rr.com.

February 14...Cullman County 9:30 AM.
Warrior River (upper sub-basin) Clean Water Partnership Meeting at Cullman County Soil & Water Conservation District Office. Contact Kellie Johnston at (205) 251-8139 or warriorcwp@hotmail.com.

February 14-16...Baldwin County.
Environmental Partnership Conference sponsored by the “Protect Our Environment” license tags. Fee: $250; $50 discount if paid by 1/19/07. Location: Perdido Beach Resort, Orange Beach. Call (334) 270-5921.

February 15...Tallahassee, Florida 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM.
Winter Deciduous Tree Identification (Field Lab) by using bark and trunk form. Fee: $7.50 ($10 for both Feb 8 and Feb 15). Call Genice at (850) 606-5202.

February 15...Covington County
Conecuh-Sepulga River Basins Clean Water Partnership Meeting. Location: Alabama Electric Co-op, Andalusia. Contact Janet Wofford at (334) 222-3271 or janetwofford@andycable.com.

February 20...Tuscaloosa County 2 PM to 4 PM.
Warrior River (lower sub-basin) Clean Water Partnership Meeting at Tuscaloosa Soil & Water Conservation District Office. Contact Kellie Johnston at (205) 251-8139 or warriorcwp@hotmail.com.

February 20, 27, & March 6...Video Conference.
Preparing for the  Next Owner to aid forestland owners in the smooth transition of their property to heirs. Program will involve a mix of business professionals, landowners, foresters and University faculty and staff.
Monroe County, Ala.: Steve Lloyd: (251) 743-2350 or monroe.county@forestry.alabama.gov
Florida: Chris Demers: (352) 846-2375 or cdemers@ufl.edu
Georgia: Ben Jackson: (706) 542-2194 or bjackson@warnell.uga.edu
Mississippi: Deborah Gaddis: (662) 325-8002 or dgaddis@ext.msstate.edu
Tennessee: Wayne Clatterbuck: (865) 974-7346 or wclatterbuck@utk.edu

February 21...Jefferson County 10 AM to 12 PM.
Coosa River Basin Clean Water Partnership Meeting. Location: Alabama Power Company Division Office, 1313 6th Ave North, 35203. Contact Gail Russell at (334) 569-1044 gail_russell@bellsouth.net.

AFOA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

FEBRUARY 22, 2007...Nationwide Teleconference 3:00 PM Central Time.
TOPIC: A Discussion on How Students and Teachers "See" Us.
DISCUSSION LEADER: L. Keville Larson, Past President, Forest Landowners Association.
The Forest History Society is developing a course on forestry for middle school students. Module 10 of the course discusses Private Forests (Draft Update Posted  2/14/07).
Please read the essays on pages 11-15 and 22-23 and be prepared to suggest ways to improve our image through revisions to the essays.

NEW 1/31/08: Module 10 Has Arrived! Larson to AFOA: "The final version of Module 10 on The significance of Private Forests that you hosted a teleconference on and for which we provided feedback to the Forest History Society, is now out. Because of our input this is much more balanced than the version we critiqued. It may not be as strong as we would have written it, but much better than it was." 

Contact Keville Larson at klarson@larsonmcgowin.com

Follow-up Comments by Keville Larson.

February 22...Lauderdale County 6 PM.
Forest Taxation Seminar with AFC Tax Specialist, Lou Hyman. Location: Florence Municipal Auditorium on Pine Street. Drinks & Sandwiches provided by ATFA chapter. Contact Steve McEachron at (256) 764-4382 or lauderdale.county@forestry.alabama.gov.

February 22-25...Nashville, Tennessee.
Convention And Sport Show, sponsored by the National Wild Turkey Federation. Location: Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center. Agenda: meet professionals in the hunting industry, see the latest hunting gear, and participate in various competitions. Fee: TBA. Contact the NWTF at 1-800-843-6983 or rlee@nwtf.net.

February 23…Colbert County 8 AM - 4 PM.
Litter Law Enforcement Conference hosted by Alabama PALS (People Against a Littered State). Speakers include: Cliff Cobb - Alabama Forestry Commission, Clifton Robinson - Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, and Tuscaloosa Police Dept. Registration $15. Call Patsy at (256)383-4376 or 1-800-ALA-PALS.

February 23-25...Destin, Florida.
Alabama Forestry Association Mid-Winter Meeting at Hilton Sandestin Beach Resort and Spa. Featured speakers and topics: Dale Greene - on doing business in the U.S. wood supply chain vs. foreign competitors, Linda Casey - Alabama’s new State Forester, Mark Thomas - Managing Your Forests for Trophy Deer. Fee: $285. Contact Fran Whitaker at (334) 265-8733 or fwhitaker@alaforestry.org.

February 24...Washington County.
Everything You Wanted to Know About Quail but Were Afraid to Ask, sponsored by the Washington County Chapter of ATFA. Location: Chuck Reynold's camp. Call Mike Rabren at (251) 455-2305 or call Jerry Gibson at (251) 777-8666.

February 18-24...Statewide.
Alabama Arbor Week. Numerous celebrations of the value of trees will take place during this week. Recognition of Arbor Day Poster Contest Winners and Arbor Week Tree Planting with Governor Riley will take place at the Capitol on February 23 at 11 AM. Contact David West at (256) 237-1621 or dwest@aces.edu.

February 26-March 1...Athens, Georgia.
Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference at the Classic Center. Agenda: poster session, concurrent sessions, and an optional field trip on silviculture. Contact James Haywood at (318) 473-7226 or dhaywood@fs.fed.us.

February 27...Forsyth, Georgia 8 AM.
Biomass: Dispelling Myths and Advancing the Truth about This Valuable Resource. Sponsor: Georgia Forestry Association. Fee: $175; $25 discount if paid by 2/13/07. Contact GFA at (478) 992-8110 or info@gfagrow.org.

February 27 & March 6...Video Conference.
Preparing for the  Next Owner (2nd session of series of 3) to aid forestland owners in the smooth transition of their property to heirs. Program will involve a mix of business professionals, landowners, foresters and University faculty and staff.
Monroe County, Alabama: Steve Lloyd: (251) 743-2350 or monroe.county@forestry.alabama.gov
Florida: Chris Demers: (352) 846-2375 or cdemers@ufl.edu
Georgia: Ben Jackson: (706) 542-2194 or bjackson@warnell.uga.edu
Mississippi: Deborah Gaddis: (662) 325-8002 or dgaddis@ext.msstate.edu
Tennessee: Wayne Clatterbuck: (865) 974-7346 or wclatterbuck@utk.edu

February 28...Statewide.
End of Rabbit, Squirrel, Raccoon, Opossum, and Quail Hunting Seasons.

February 28-March 1...Washington, D.C.
Washington Fly-In, sponsored by the Forest Landowners Association. Agenda: to give private landowners the opportunity to meet and educate elected representatives and their staffs on landowner issues. Contact Susan Johnson at 1-800-325-2954 x102 or sjohnson@forestlandowners.com

> March 2007

March 1...Chilton County  10 AM - 3 PM.
Alabama Clean Water Partnership Board of Directors Meeting. Location: Alabama Power Company Water Course, Clanton. Contact Allison Jenkins at (205) 266-6285 or ajenkins@elmore.rr.com.

March 3...Shelby County  8 AM
Alabama Quail Hunters Spring Field Trial at James Frost's Farm near Calera. Free Admission. Contact Frank Harris at (205) 595-0203 or frankharris@regions.com.

March 3...Lauderdale County 9 AM.
Turkey Hunting Seminar with Dr. Carl Williams, UA Professor & Turkey Hunting Enthusiast. Location: Oakland Volunteer Fire Dept. Lunch sponsored by Oakland VFD & ATFA Chapter. Contact Chris Brewer at (256) 764-4382 or lauderdale.county@forestry.alabama.gov.

March 6...Video Conference.
Preparing for the  Next Owner (3rd session in series of 3) to aid forestland owners in the smooth transition of their property to heirs. Program will involve a mix of business professionals, landowners, foresters and University faculty and staff.
Monroe County, Ala.: Steve Lloyd: (251) 743-2350 or monroe.county@forestry.alabama.gov
Florida: Chris Demers: (352) 846-2375 or cdemers@ufl.edu
Georgia: Ben Jackson: (706) 542-2194 or bjackson@warnell.uga.edu
Mississippi: Deborah Gaddis: (662) 325-8002 or dgaddis@ext.msstate.edu
Tennessee: Wayne Clatterbuck: (865) 974-7346 or wclatterbuck@utk.edu

March 8...Liberty, Mississippi 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM.
Timber Tax Fundamentals Short Course.Fee: $25, covers course materials, supplies, and lunch. Contact Richard Hay at (601) 657-8937 or amite@ext.msstate.edu.

March 8...Jefferson County  9 AM to 2 PM.
Chainsaw Safety & Portable Sawmill Demo at Jefferson State Community College. Program includes classroom and outdoor sessions. See trees felled and cut into lumber. Lunch will be provided. Please register by contacting David Hubbard at (205) 879-6964x17 or hubbadh@aces.edu.

March 8...Walker County 2 PM to 4 PM.
Warrior River (middle sub-basin) Clean Water Partnership Meeting at Bevill State Community College, Sumiton. Contact Kellie Johnston at (205) 251-8139 or warriorcwp@hotmail.com.

March 9...Elmore County 8:30 AM to 1 PM.
Estate Planning Seminar sponsored by Cooperative Extension System & Investor Protection Trust. Location: First United Methodist Church Family Life Center, Wetumpka. Fee: free. Lunch provided. Call (334) 567-6301.

March 9...Brookhaven, Mississippi 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM.
Timber Tax Fundamentals Short Course. Fee: $25, covers course materials, supplies, and lunch. Contact Rebecca Bates at (601) 835-3460 or lincoln@ext.msstate.edu.

March 9...Houston County 10 AM to 12 PM.
Choctawhatchee-Pea-Yellow River Basins Clean Water Partnership Meeting. Location: Dothan Chamber of Commerce. Contact Lisa Harris at (334) 527-3584 lharris@troycable.net.

March 10...Baldwin County 9 AM.
Conservation Advisory Board Meeting will be held at the 5 Rivers Delta Center in Spanish Fort. Anyone wishing to speak must register between 8 - 8:30 AM. Contact Robin Nummy at (334) 242-3486 or robin.nummy@dcnr.alabama.gov.

March 10...Clarke County 10 AM.
Forestry Tour sponsored by County ATFA Chapter. Location: "between 66 & 67 mile markers on Highway 43. RSVP for lunch at (251) 246-4051.

March 13...Raymond, Mississippi 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM.
Timber Tax Fundamentals Short Course. Call Teresa Hand at (601) 372-4651

March 13...Shelby County 6:30 PM.
Alabama Quail Hunters Monthly Meeting at Lloyd’s Restaurant on Highway 280. Contact Bob Carr at (205) 424-1381 or coalcarr@bham.rr.com.

March 13-14...Athens, Georgia.
Financial Decision-Making in Timber Management. Attendees will review and/or introduce financial decision-making criteria and learn how to: a) use growth-and-yield models in combination with financial decision-making criteria to increase financial returns; b) estimate returns from different management regimes for bare-ground stands and the relative influences of the different inputs to financial returns; c) make the same financial return estimates for bare ground vs. existing stands; d) estimate the returns from different cultural treatments for bare-ground stands and existing stands; e) estimate expected marginal rates of return for fertilization, woody release, and other intermediate stand treatments; f) evaluate financial returns from different thinning timing, intensity, and frequency combinations. Instructors: Barry Shiver & Bruce Borders. Fee: $445. Contact Ben Jackson at (706) 542-2194 or bjackson@warnell.uga.edu.

March 14...Cullman County 9:30 AM.
Warrior River (upper sub-basin) Clean Water Partnership Meeting at Cullman County Soil & Water Conservation District Office. Contact Kellie Johnston at (205) 251-8139 or warriorcwp@hotmail.com.

March 15...Statewide
Turkey Season Opens in All or Portions of 59 Counties.

March 15...Nationwide Audio Conference. 12 Noon CT
Sibling Teams: How to Make Them Work presented by the Family Business Advisor. Discussion leader: Dr. Christopher Eckrich. Fee: $159. To register, contact the FBA at 1-800-551-0633 or editor@efamilybusiness.com. Click here for updates.

March 15...Lee County 4:30 PM.
Alabama Forestry Association's Regional Meeting is at the Auburn University School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences building, Room 1223. Landowner workshop before dinner, followed by an informal after-dinner program. Contact Fran Whitaker at (334) 265-8733 or fwhitaker@alaforestry.org.

AFOA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

MARCH 15, 2007...Nationwide Teleconference 7:00 PM Central Time.
TOPIC: Private Landowner Liable for Hunter’s Actions.
SPEAKER: Mark W. Thomas, Forestry/Wildlife Integration, LLC.
Mark was an expert witness in a lawsuit involving a shooting accident. The landowner (who gave permission to hunt) might end up paying as much as a $1 million to settle the claim. Mark will suggest ideas to help us avoid similar predicaments. AFOA insurance agent Ed Wilson, Davis-Garvin Agency, Inc., commented after the program that AFOA's Timberland Liability Group Insurance Policy would have covered the landowner in this case. AFOA's Hunting Lease Liability Group Insurance Policy could also have been used to cover both the landowner and the hunter in this case if the relationship had been of a long-term nature (such as a 1 year agreement to allow the hunter to use the property for hunting).

AFOA members would be wise to tell every hunter given permission to hunt on their land to
     A. Follow the Laws of the State of Alabama (or the state where the land is located)
     B. Be Careful
     C. Use Common Sense

Click Here to Listen to the Program.

March 16 - 17...Carlisle, Kentucky.
Kentucky Woodland Owners Annual Meeting at Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park. Field day, log grading, and dinner speaker. Fee: $35. Call Marla Jackson at (606) 876-3423 or marla@hltreefarm.com.

March 12 - April 9...Carrollton, Mississippi 7 PM - 9 PM on Tuesday Evenings.
Forest/Wildlife Management for Profit & Recreation Short Course at the Carroll County Extension Office. Fee: $35/person. Contact Pam Lee at (662) 237-4413 or carroll@ext.msstate.edu.

March 20...Grenada County, Mississippi time?
Women and Estate Planning. Call Steve Winters at (662) 226-2061.

March 20...Tuscaloosa County 2 PM to 4 PM.
Warrior River (lower sub-basin) Clean Water Partnership Meeting at Tuscaloosa Soil & Water Conservation District Office. Contact Kellie Johnston at (205) 251-8139 or warriorcwp@hotmail.com.

March 20-22...Athens, Georgia.
Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium at UGA Center for Continuing Education. Fee: $135; $20 discount if paid by 3/2/07. Call (706) 542-2134.

March 22...Montgomery County 10 AM - 1 PM.
Tallapoosa River Basin Meeting will be at the Montgomery Water Works. Contact Dawn Stephens at (334) 271-1444 or dstephen@ch2m.com.

March 24...Newton, Georgia 10 AM - 2 PM.
The Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center at Ichauway is having an Open House. Highlights are: Wagon tours, Slideshow Presentation, Walking tours, and Hands on learning for kids. Bring a lunch. Refreshments & Tables provided. Call  the Research Center at (229) 734-4706.

March 26...Southeast Alabama.
Deadline for Comments on Critical Habitat of Flatwoods Salamander. 31,428 acres are proposed for habitat mainly in southwest Georgia and Florida panhandle. Although none of the proposed habitat is in Alabama your comments are important. Contact Ray Aycock at (601) 965-4900 or linda_laclaire@fws.gov.

March 28-30...Lake Oconee, Georgia.
Timberland Investment Conference II: The Timberland Asset: Reliable and Renewable, sponsored by the Warnell School for Forest Business. Location: Ritz Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation. Contact Tommy Tye at (706) 542-5079 or rtye@warnell.uga.edu.

March 29...Russell County 11 AM.
Safe Harbor Management Agreement Tour and signing ceremony at the Sehoy Plantation General Store. The Enon & Sehoy Plantations will be enrolling in the program, which will provide the landowner with "regulatory assurances" while enforcing the protection and habitat management for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW). The field tour will show the compatibility of quail and RCW management and how some land use is still retained by the landowner through Safe Harbor. RSVP for the signing ceremony, provided lunch, and field tour. Contact Mark Sasser at (334) 242-3569 or mark.sasser@dcnr.alabama.gov.

March 30...Chiefland, Florida 9 AM.
Forest Stewardship Tour of the 306 Acre Wylly Coyote Preserve. RSVP required for sponsored lunch after tour. Contact Chris Demers at (352) 846-2375 or cdemers@ufl.edu.

March30 - April 1...Dublin, Georgia.
18th Annual Quail Unlimited Bass Pro Shops National Sporting Clays Tournament at the Millwood Hunting Lodge. Fees vary for each division. For more shoot information call (803) 637-5731.

March 31...Cleburne County 10 AM to 3 PM.
Waterfall Tour & Hike are short but moderately strenuous hikes. Fee: $10/person, Pre-register. Contact Renee Morrison at (256) 782-5697 or fieldschool@jsu.edu.

> April 2007

April 4...Marengo County 8 AM - 4 PM.
Invasive Species Identification and Control at the Rural Heritage Center. Includes: materials, lunch, and breaks. Fee: $40. Contact John Ollison at (205) 459-2133 or jollison@acesag.auburn.edu.

April 4…Jefferson County 9:30 AM.
Storm Water Management Authority: Executive Committee Meeting followed by the Board of Directors’ Meeting. Location: SWMA office, 218 Summit Parkway, Suite 200, Homewood. Contact Pam McLaughlin at (205) 943-1941 or pmclaughlin@swma.com.

April 4-30...Jefferson, County 8 AM - 5 PM daily.
Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest Exhibit at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Entries are no longer being accepted for the 2007 contest. Entry deadline for 2008 contest is October 31, 2007   Contact Kim Nix at 1-800-262-3151 or kim.nix@dcnr.alabama.gov.

April 7...DeKalb County 9 AM - 4 PM.
Deep Canyon Hike provides an unforgettable view of Alabama’s natural wonders. Requires: sturdy footwear, plenty of water, lunch, and stamina. Fee: $15/person, pre-registration required. Contact Renee Morrison at (256) 782-5697 or fieldschool@jsu.edu.

April 9...Athens, Georgia 8 AM - 5 PM.
Risk Analysis in Timber Markets at UGA Continuing Education Center. Instructors: Drs. Brooks Mendell and Tim Sydor. Target audience: Forestry professionals, timberland owners, investment managers and realtors involved in buying and selling timber and timberland, and in developing forest management plans and budgets. Fee: $225; $30 discount if paid by 3/19/07. Contact Ben Jackson at (706)542-2194 or bjackson@warnell.uga.edu.

April 9-26...Tuscaloosa County 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
GIS II Using ArcGIS9 Software (computer mapping) at Shelton State Community College. Fee: $350. Call (205) 391-2434. See Feb 5 for GIS I.

April 10…Montgomery County 10 AM.
Alabama Forestry Commissioners’ Meeting at Commission Headquarters, 513 Madison Avenue, Montgomery. The public is welcome to attend. Contact Regina Miller at (334) 240-9303 or Regina.Miller@forestry.alabama.gov.

April 10...Jefferson County 10 AM to 12 PM.
Black Warrior River Basin Clean Water Partnership Meeting. Location: Alabama Power Company Division Office, 1313 6th Avenue North, Birmingham 35203. Contact Kellie Johnston at (205) 251-8139 or warriorcwp@hotmail.com.

April 10...DeKalb, County 4 PM.
Alabama Forestry Association Landowner Workshop & Regional Meeting will be held at the Sand Mountain Experiment Station. Speakers: Eric Lester and Scott Bobo, Marshall DeKalb Electric; Dan Green, Alabama Forestry Commission; Sheriff Jimmy Harris, DeKalb County Sheriff. Sponsored dinner. Must pre-register. Contact Fran Whitaker at (334) 481-2127 or fwhitaker@alaforestry.org.

April 10...Dallas County 6 PM - 8 PM.
Recreational Fishpond Management at the Central Alabama Farmers Coop. Contact John Ollison at (205) 459-2133 or jollison@acesag.auburn.edu.

April 10...Shelby County 6:30 PM.
Alabama Quail Hunters Monthly Meeting at Lloyd’s Restaurant on Highway 280. Contact Bob Carr at (205) 424-1381 or coalcarr@bham.rr.com.

April 10...Chipley, Florida 9 AM to 3 PM.
Forest Stewardship Silvopasture Tour will meet at the Washington County Extension Agriculture Center. Tour the property of George Owens in Washington County. Program is free, but please register by April 2. Sponsored lunch. Contact the Extension Office at (850) 638-6180 or cdemers@ufl.edu.

April 11...Cullman County 8 AM.
County Forestry Planning Committee Meeting at the Forestry Commission office. Call Monica McCravy at (256) 734-0573.

April 11...Cordele, Georgia 7 PM.
Managing Wildlife Food Plots is a session of the Master Forester Program. Speaker: Karl Miller, UGA Wildlife Specialist. Supper served before meeting. Fee: $35. Contact Tucker Price at (229) 276-2612 or tprice@uga.edu.

April 13...Winston County 8:30 AM to 4 PM.
Private Landowner Field Day on John & Mary Sudduth’s Forestland. Topics: Chainsaw Safety, Felling & Maintenance, Wildlife Management, Cost Share Programs, and Silvopasture. Sponsors: Natural Resource Coordinating Council & Bradley Murphy Trust. Fee: $8 includes lunch. Contact Johnna Franks at (205) 489-5014 or winston.county@forestry.alabama.gov or Michael Henshaw at (205) 489-5376.

April 13...Prentiss, Mississippi 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM.
Timber Tax Fundamentals Short Course at the Ezra Garner Building. Featured speaker: Dr. Deborah Gaddis. Fee: $35/single, $45/couple. Contact Thomas Brewer at (601) 792-5121 or thomasb@ext.msstate.edu.

April 13-14...Hazard, Kentucky.
16th Annual American Paulownia Association Conference at the Hazard Community & Technical College. Fee: $65/person. Call Sharon Blickenstaff at (301)-790-3075.

April 15-22 and 22-29...Brazil.
Plantation Forestry Study Tour: Two Separate Consecutive one week segments. The overall objective is to give high level professionals a well-rounded introduction to forest investment and business opportunities in Brazil. Cost: $3400 per week plus travel to Curitiba, Brazil. Contact Mark Wilhite at (503) 695-6419 mark@worldforestinvestment.com.

April 16...Lee County 3:30 PM. Silviculture Practices Landowner Tour at the Mary Olive Thomas Demonstration Forest. Features: Harvesting and prescribed burning demonstration. Fee: $10 for steak dinner. Must RSVP by April 13. Call Chuck Browne at (334) 749-3353.

April 16 - 17...Athens, Georgia.
Thinning Methods, Operations, and Decision Making. This course will provide a thorough discussion of harvesting systems used in thinning in the South and elsewhere. The entire program will be presented from the standpoint of developing solid wood products with adequate wood quality and managing stands to maximize financial returns. The course may also benefit private landowners who want to take an active role in the management of their forests and understanding the volume/quality trade-offs typically made in thinning decisions. Instructors: Bruce Borders and Dale Greene. Fee: $445 includes lunch, refreshments, and instructional materials. $50 discount if paid prior to March 26. Contact Ben Jackson at (706) 542-2194 or bjackson@warnell.uga.edu.

April 17...Lee County 6 PM.
Herbaceous Weed Control at the Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station. Speaker: Michelle A. Isenberg. Call John Ollison at (205) 459-2133.

April 16 - 18...Choctaw, Mississippi.
6th Annual Southern BioProducts and Renewable Energy Conference at the Pearl River Resort - Golden Moon Casino & Hotel. Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs Workshop and several breakout session topics including Biofuels and Biomass Opportunities & Risks. Fee: $255 or $195 if you register by March 30. Call Lauren Michaud (601) 960-3655 or lmichaud@mta.ms.

April 18…Jefferson County 10 AM.
Storm Water Management Authority: Board of Directors’ Meeting. Location: SWMA office, 218 Summit Parkway, Suite 200, Homewood. Contact Pam McLaughlin at (205) 943-1941 or pmclaughlin@swma.com.

April 18...Montgomery County 10 AM - 2 PM.
Alabama-Tombigbee River Basins Clean Water Partnership Meeting. Contact: Ashley Henderson at (334) 270-8236 or ahendersoncwp@charter.net.

 April 17-19...Arnold Air Force Base, Tennessee.
Amphibian & Reptile Habitat Management Guidelines Training Workshop will have daily lectures, presentations, and outdoor hands-on sessions. Class size limited. Contact Mark at mbailey@conservationsoutheast.com or Jeff Holmes at (615) 969-7559 or jhomles@conservationsoutheast.com.

AFOA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

 April 19...Nationwide Teleconference 3 PM Central Time.
Topic: Beta Testers Wanted to Test Forestland Records & Financial Software.
Speaker: Rich Howard, Assisi Software Corp.
Rich described his goals for a new software product that will help integrate forestland records into the popular Quicken software that many of us use. He is seeking 10 “tech savvy” (including familiarity with Microsoft Access) landowners and consulting foresters who will use the software during the next year and provide feedback to him on problems or opportunities they discover when using the software. There is no charge for participating. However, after the testing period is over, users will have to pay a license fee of about $1,000 to continue to use the software. Rich answered questions from potential beta testers during the call.
Contact Lee Laechelt at (205) 987-8811 or Send Email.

April 19...Mobile County 7 PM.
Mobile County Landowners’ Association Meeting at Jon Archer Agriculture Center on North Schillinger Road, Mobile. Board of Directors Meeting at 5:45 with a light meal at 6:30. Speaker: Sam Cochran, Mobile County Sheriff. Contact Luci Sheffield at (251) 633-7195 or lucishef@webtv.net.

April 20...Leakesville, Mississippi 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
Tree Farm Workshop at Leakesville Community Center. Fee: $20/single, $30/couple. Contact Mark Gillie at (601) 394-2702 or markg@ext.msstate.edu.

April 20...Elmore County 11 AM.
Alabama Nature Center Phase I Grand Opening. Admission is free on Grand Opening weekend. The Nature Center is open to general public the 3rd weekend of each month. Fee: $3/person. Contact April Waltz at aprilwaltz@knology.net.

April 20...Lamar County 2 PM - 5 PM.
GPS for the Forestry Professional at the County Extension Office. Fee: $10. Contact Becky Barlow at (334) 844-1019.

April 21...Dawsonville, Georgia 8 AM.
The Lanier Branch Sporting Clays Shoot includes: 100 round Sporting Clay event, warm-up round, T-shirt, lunch, entry of drawing for a Benelli 12-gauge shotgun. Fee: $125/shooter. Call Sean Ryan at (770) 757-0384.

April 21...Dixie, Mississippi 8:30 AM - 1 PM.
Cecil Chambliss Tree Farm Tour. Lunch provided. Fee: $5/person. Contact Glenn Hughes at (601) 794-0671 or ghughes@ext.msstate.edu.

April 21…Covington, County 9 AM.
Tree Farming in Longleaf Country will be held at the Solon Dixon Center. Lunch sponsored by the County Forestry Committee. RSVP by April 10. Call Solon Dixon Center at (334) 222-7779.

April 21-28...Statewide.
“Don’t Drop It On Alabama” Statewide [trash and litter] Spring Cleanup sponsored by Alabama PALS. Contact Alabama PALS at (334) 263-7737 or spencer@alpals.org.

April 23...Monroe County 4 PM.
AFA Regional Meeting. Landowner workshop followed by the Regional Meeting. Sponsored dinner. Must pre-register. Contact Fran Whitaker at (334) 481-2127 or fwhitaker@alaforestry.org.

April 24...Lee County 10 AM - 1 PM.
The Lower Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership Stakeholder Committee will meet at the Moore's Mill Golf Club in Auburn. Please RSVP by April 20. Contact chenita.stanley@ch2m.com.

April 25...Montgomery County 10 AM - 1:30 PM.
Alabama-Tombigbee Steering Committee Meeting will be held at the AFA building in Montgomery. Call Ashley Henderson at (334) 270-8236.

April 25 - 26...Statesboro, Georgia.
Burning In Young Longleaf Workshop sponsored by the Georgia Forestry Commission. Location: Georgia Southern University. Fee: $65. Call Neal Edmondson (478) 751-3332.

April 26...Lee County 8 AM - 4:45 PM.
5th Annual Alabama Invasive Plant Council at the Auburn University School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences Building. Lunch provided. Fee: $30. Contact Curtis Hansen at (334) 844-1630 or hansecj@auburn.edu.

April 26...Bullock County 9 AM.
Forest Insects and Diseases, Invasive Species, and Other Forest Pests. Indoor seminar with optional field lab hosted by County Forestry Planning Committee. Lunch provided by sponsors. RSVP Bill Clem at (334) 738-3040 or bullock.county@forestry.alabama.gov.

April 27...Poplarville, Mississippi 8:30 AM - 2 PM.
Tree Identification Workshop at the Pearl River County Administrative Building. Contact Billy Joe Lee at (601) 403-2280 or billyl@ext.msstate.edu.

April 28...LaGrange, Georgia 8 AM.
Quality Deer Management Field Day will give attendees a chance to hear many different management options to help improve habitat for deer and other wildlife. Sponsored lunch. No fee. Contact Jeff Mansour at (770) 583-3684 or timberlovingcare@aol.com.

April 30...Statewide
End of Turkey Hunting Season.

> May 2007

May 1-2…Tifton, Georgia.
Pine Straw Production, Stand Management & Economics course at the UGA Tifton Campus Conference Center. This course will provide information to help landowners effectively manage pine stands for pine straw production. Speakers: David Dickens, UGA associate professor of forest productivity, Dave Moorhead, UGA professor of silviculture. Fee: $445, $50 discount if paid by April 10. Lunch, refreshment breaks, and instructional materials provided. Contact Ben Jackson at (706) 542-2194 or bjackson@warnell.uga.edu.

May 3...Baldwin County 8 AM - 4:30 PM.
Coastal Terrestrial and Wetland Invasive Plants: Ecology and Practical Control and Prevention at the Weeks Bay Reserve. For landowners who need to understand the ecology of invasive plants and how better to control them. Fee: $55 on or before April 20; includes breaks, lunch, and materials. Contact Michael Shelton at (251) 928-9792 or michael.shelton@dcnr.alabama.gov.

May 3...Coffeeville, Mississippi 8 AM - 12 PM.
“Are My Pine Trees Ready to Thin?” Workshop at the Yalobusha County Extension Office. Contact Steve Cummings at (662) 675-2730 or yalobush@ext.msstate.edu.

May 4 - June 4...Montgomery, County.
Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest Exhibit at the Montgomery Visitor Center at Historic Union Station. Entries are no longer being accepted for the 2007 contest. Entry deadline for 2008 contest is October 31, 2007. Contact Kim Nix at 1-800-262-3151 or kim.nix@dcnr.alabama.gov.

May 5...Tallapoosa County 8:15 AM to 2 PM.
One Man’s Story -- Written on the Land.  Bobby Jennings has spent more than 25 years working on his land to improve the forest and wildlife habitat. Landowners enjoyed seeing what one dedicated person has accomplished on this Treasure Forest and Tree Farm. The Educational Tour focused on Pine Timber and Wildlife Management. Forest Consultants and Wildlife Biologists were available to give their expertise. Although this field and classroom program served as AFOA's Saturday annual meeting educational program, it was open to others who did not want to attend AFOA's Friday evening session on Energy (see May 4 above).  For information about someone you may have met on the tour contact AFOA at (205) 987-8811 or Send Email.

May 8...Talladega County 4:30 PM - 6 PM.
AFA Regional Meeting Landowner Workshop at the Bowater - Coosa Pines Facility. Updates attendees on: Best Management Practices, Water Quality, and programs available to landowners. No fee - must pre-register. Contact Fran Whitaker at (334) 481-2127 or fwhitaker@alaforestry.org.

May 8...Shelby County 6:30 PM.
Alabama Quail Hunters Monthly Meeting at Lloyd’s Restaurant on Highway 280. Speaker: Phillip Wiedmeyer. Dutch Treat Dinner. Contact Bob Carr at (205) 424-1381 or coalcarr@bham.rr.com.

May 8-11...Charleston, South Carolina
66th Annual Forest Landowners Conference at The Mills House Hotel. Featuring an assortment of Conference events (Timber Tax Workshop, Silent Auction, Forestry Tour, etc.) and breakout sessions (Insurance, Legal Issues, Taxes, Vegetation Management, Young Forest Landowners). Fee: $355. Contact Alicia Niles at 1-800-325-2954 or aniles@forestlandowners.com.

May 9...Cullman County 8 AM.
County Forestry Planning Committee Meeting at the Forestry Commission office. Call Monica McCravy at (256) 734-0573.

May 10...Morgan County 4:30 PM - 6 PM.
AFA Regional Meeting Landowner Workshop at the AFC Office in Decatur. Updates attendees on: Best Management Practices, Water Quality, and programs available to landowners. No fee - must pre-register. Contact Fran Whitaker at (334) 481-2127 or fwhitaker@alaforestry.org.

May 10...Walker County 2 PM to 4 PM.
Warrior River (middle sub-basin) Clean Water Partnership Meeting at Bevill State Community College, Sumiton. Contact Kellie Johnston at (205) 251-8139 or warriorcwp@hotmail.com.

May 10...Washington County 7 PM.
“Got Pulpwood? We Gotta New Market!” is the topic of the county ATFA chapter meeting to be held at Deerfield Golf Club in Chatom. Please RSVP by calling Karen at (251) 847-6387.

May 11…Hale County 9 AM - 12 PM.
Forestry Tour of the Brodnax Property sponsored by ATFA. See management of 2000 acres of longleaf pine and some hardwood also. Lunch provided. Please RSVP by May 9. Call Buddy Hall at (334) 624-3829.

May 12...Tuscaloosa County 6 AM - 2 PM.
“Open Woods Days” on Forever Wild’s Sipsey River Swamp Recreation Area and Nature Preserve. The tract consists of over 3000 acres of beautiful bottomland forest along the Sipsey River. The public may drive in to allow easier access to: canoeing, birding, fishing, picnicking, and wildlife photography. Future days: Jun 16, Jul 21, Aug 18, Sep 15, and Oct 20. Call Chris Smith (334) 242-3409.

May 12...Lone Mountain State Forest, Tennessee 7 AM - 1 PM.
Tennessee Healthy Hardwoods Field Days. This event will focus on the management practices applied to improve existing forest stands. Topics: management planning, crop tree selection, forest improvement, and protecting soil and water. Van tours of the property will provide opportunity for discussion with landowners and forestry professionals. No fee. Pre-register for meal purposes. Contact Tennessee Forestry Association at 1-800-893-7403 or info@tnforestry.com.

May 12...Jackson County 10 AM.
The Natural and Human History of the Walls of Jericho Hike is 6 miles round trip, strenuous, and lasts about 5 hours. Bring sack lunch and plenty of water. Hike leader: Nick Sharp, Land Stewardship Officer. No fees. Call State Lands Division at (334) 242-3484.

May 15...Tallapoosa County 10 AM.
Middle Tallapoosa Clean Water Partnership Meeting will be held at City Hall in Alexander City. Please RSVP by May 9. Call Tammy Jones at (256) 234-5271 ext 3.

May 15...Elmore County 6:30 PM.
Elmore County's Comprehensive Plan: "Bridging Our Future". Location: library in Millbrook. Speakers: Ken Freeman and Don Casey. Call Ken Freeman at (256) 498-3802.

May 15...Athens, Georgia.
Forestry for Non-Foresters I. Fee: $225; $30 discount if paid by 4/24. Contact Ben Jackson at (706) 542-2194 or bjackson@warnell.uga.edu.

May 16-17...Athens, Georgia.
Forestry for Non-Foresters II. Fee: $445; $50 discount if paid by 4/24. Contact Ben Jackson at (706) 542-2194 or bjackson@warnell.uga.edu.

May 16...Jay, Florida 8:30 AM - 3 PM.
Forest Stewardship Tree ID and Forest Practice Field Day at the West Florida Research and Education Center. Agenda topics: vegetation management with herbicides, recovery of storm damage, invasive plants, and tree identification. Sponsored lunch included. Fee: $20/person. Call Robin Vickers at (850) 983-5216x113.

May 16...Montgomery County 10 AM - 2 PM.
Alabama Clean Water Partnership: Education/Public Relations Committee will meet at the ADEM Conference Room 1201, in Montgomery. Contact Mark Sport at (334) 394-4361 or vms@adem.state.al.us.

May 17...Tallahassee, Florida 11 AM - 12 PM.
“Laurel Wilt: A new disease threatening redbay and related eastern trees”, a lecture by Bud Mayfield. Free and open to the public unless Continuing Education Credits are needed. Contact Chris Demers at (352) 846-2375 or cdemers@ufl.edu.

May 18-19...Columbia, South Carolina.
The Great Portable Sawmill Shootout. Agenda: a head-to-head demonstration event with factory crews operating the newest portable sawmills. Fee: $12/person. Contact Ted Hugger at (207) 799-1356 or thugger@maine.rr.com.

May 19...Sewanee, Tennessee 7 AM - 1 PM.
Tennessee Healthy Hardwoods Field Days. This event on the University of the South's forest will focus on the management practices applied to improve existing forest stands. Topics: management planning, crop tree selection, forest improvement, and protecting soil and water. Van tours of the property will provide opportunity for discussion with landowners and forestry professionals. No fee. Pre-register for meal purposes. Contact Tennessee Forestry Association at 1-800-893-7403 or info@tnforestry.com.

May 19...Coosa County 8:30 AM - 12 PM.
Spring Forestry Tour on the farm of Charles Welden, III. This program will focus on quail management, non-game birds, timber management, and aquatic ecosystems. Contact Roger Vines at (256) 377-4713 vinesrc@auburn.edu.

May 19…Madison County 9 AM.
Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Advisory Board Meeting will be held at the Huntsville Museum of Art. Registration to address the board is 8 AM - 8:30 AM. Call Robin Nummy (334) 242-3486.

May 22...Nationwide Audio Conference. 12 Noon CT
From Siblings to Cousins: The Last Major Transition presented by the Family Business Advisor. Discussion leader: Dr. Craig Aronoff. Fee: $159. To register, contact the Family Enterprise Publishers at 1-800-551-0633 or editor@efamilybusiness.com. Click here for updates.

May 24...Carrollton, Mississippi 8 AM - 12 PM.
Tree Identification Workshop at the Carroll County Extension Office. Fee: $15/person. Contact Pam Lee at (662) 237-4413 or carroll@ext.msstate.edu.

May 24...Starkville, Mississippi 8 AM - 5 PM.
LandMark Systems SiMS Training class. Come learn from Borders and Shiver how to keep track of stand information, run growth and yield simulations on pine plantations, and do forest economic analysis. Fee: $395. Contact Johnny Thompson at (662) 272-5344 or jthompson@landmarksystems.com.

May 24...Montgomery County 5 PM.
Alabama Agribusiness Council Annual Meeting: Pictorial History of Alabama Agriculture and Potential for Increased Irrigation.  Location: Wynlakes Golf and Country Club. Fee: $55; $10 discount if paid by 5/17. Call (334) 215-4442. Editor's Note: The pictorial history will remind us of all the forestland that used to be cultivated land in our State and help us understand why rivers ran red with mud.

May 30...Montgomery County 8 AM - 3:30 PM.
ADEM Alabama Groundwater Conference may be of some interest to some of our landowners. The agenda focuses on issues related to water availability and utility concerns. It doesn’t hurt to be aware of whose watershed your land is in and how they might want to protect it. No fee. Contact ADEM Groundwater Branch at (334) 270-5655 or eprobst@adem.state.al.us.

May 30...Chilton County 1PM.
Alabama Prescribed Fire Council. Location: Alabama Power Company Conference Center, Clanton. "The purpose of this meeting is to bring all potential prescribed fire stake holders together to revitalize the council." Contact Kent Hanby at hanby@charter.net or (256) 825-8593.

May 30 - June 1...Burns, Tennessee.
Governor's Conference on Biofuels. Topics: Explore opportunities to make Tennessee a leader in the emerging bioenergy field, inform the agricultural community and prospective fuel producers and investors about potential growth areas and resources available to assist them, and educate government and elected officials on the most important steps for growing the upstream biofuel industry. Fee: $200/person. Contact David Owenby at (615) 532-1531 or david.owenby@state.tn.us.

May 31 - June 3...Chattanooga, Tennessee.
7th Annual QDMA National Convention & Whitetail Expo. Too many topics and sessions to list here, so please visit QDMA’s website for details or use the contact info below. Fees: $235/singles or $420/couple. Contact Brandy Verner at 1-800-209-3337 or bverner@QDMA.com.

> June 2007

June 1...Athens, Georgia 8 AM.
Timber Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) Explained is a course that teaches the who, why, where, and how of REITs that specialize in timber. Landowners seeking to become fluent in real estate investment trust options specific to timber should find this course useful. Limited seating. Fee: $345/person. Contact Ben Jackson at (706) 542-2194 or bjackson@warnell.uga.edu.

June 2...Bolivar, Tennessee 7 AM - 1 PM.
Tennessee Healthy Hardwoods Field Days. This event on Chickasaw State Forest will focus on the management practices applied to improve existing forest stands. Topics: management planning, crop tree selection, forest improvement, and protecting soil and water. Van tours of the property will provide opportunity for discussion with landowners and forestry professionals. No fee. Pre-register for meal purposes. Contact Tennessee Forestry Association at 1-800-893-7403 or info@tnforestry.com.

June 4-5...Athens, Georgia.
Excel Tools & Functions for Forestry Professionals at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education. This course begins with the introduction of Excel applications and tools followed by hands-on, forestry-related exercises to reinforce the tools. Individuals will also have opportunities to ask about Excel-related issues or challenges specific to their tasks outside of this course. Instructor: Brooks Mendell. Fee: $445. Limited seating. Call Ben Jackson at (706) 542-2194 or bjackson@warnell.uga.edu.

June 4-8...Pearl, Mississippi.
Prescribed Burning Shortcourses. Location: South Eastern Regional Fire Training Center. Landowners interested in prescribed burning should find this course to be an excellent value. Topics: state laws regarding your liability, ignition techniques, benefits, limitations, risks, how to manage smoke, forest fuels and fuel classifications, how to plan and execute a prescribed burn, and effects of weather and fuel moisture on fire behavior. Fee: $400. Contact Patricia Brock at (662) 325-1457 pbrock@aoce.msstate.edu.

June 5...Statewide & Local.
Vote on Constitutional Amendments and Property Tax Referendums. Statewide Amendment One will increase funds available for incentives to companies, such as ThyssenKrupp, that the state is trying to lure to Alabama. Voters in at least 2 counties will vote on property taxes: Escambia, Washington, and perhaps others AFOA was unable to learn about.

June 5…Cross City, Florida 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM ET.
Division of Forestry Workshop: Thinning Your Forest and What it Can Do for You. Location: Earl Peterson - DOF Forestry Station. Topics: why and when to thin, forest health, wildlife benefits, and economics and marketing of a thinning and thinning operations. Sponsored supper included. Contact Stan Shepard at (850) 838-2286 or shepars@doacs.state.fl.us.

June 6...Colbert County.
Progressive Agriculture Safety Day. Location: North Alabama State Fairgrounds. Contact Michael Fowlkes at (256) 383-1446 or northwestalrcd@yahoo.com.

June 7…Mayo, Florida 5:30 PM - 9:00 PM ET.
Division of Forestry Workshop: Thinning Your Forest and What it Can Do for You. Location: Lafayette County Extension Office. Topics: why and when to thin, forest health, wildlife benefits, and economics and marketing of a thinning and thinning operations. Sponsored supper included. Contact Greg Marshall at (386) 294-2326 marshag@doacs.state.fl.us.

June 8 - July 9...Mobile, County.
Outdoor Alabama Photo Contest Exhibit in Spanish Fort. Entries are no longer being accepted for the 2007 contest. Contact Kim Nix at 1-800-262-3151 or kim.nix@dcnr.alabama.gov.

June 9...DeKalb County 9 AM - 3 PM.
Medicinal & Edible Plants Workshop. Location: DeSoto State Park Nature Center. Includes: demonstrations, short hikes, and instructions on herbal preparations. Bring a lunch and other light-hike needs. Fee: $20/adult, $10/child, pre-registration required. Contact JSU Field Schools at (256) 782-5697or fieldschool@jsu.edu.

June 10-13...Knoxville, Tennessee.
Forest Products Society 61st International Convention. Fee: $735. Contact Forest Products Society at (608) 231-1361x208 or conferences@forestprod.org.

June 12...Ruston, Louisiana 7:45 AM - 1:30 PM.
Prescribed Burn Manager Certification. Location: Louisiana Tech University. This workshop is for anyone who has received formal classroom or on-the-job training in prescribed burning. Must pre-register. Contact Charles Shilling at cshilli@lsu.edu.

June 12...Jesup, Georgia 8:00 AM - 2 PM ET.
National Wild Turkey Federation Landowner Workshop. Location: Simms Farm. Topics: Longleaf Pine Establishment and Management, Wildlife Plots/Openings, Forest Health/Invasive Species, Herbicide Use for Wildlife Management, and more. Fee: $10. Call James Austin at (912) 481-3821.

June 12...Shelby County 6:30 PM.
Alabama Quail Hunters Monthly Meeting. Location: Lloyd’s Restaurant on Highway 280. Speaker: Jim Jeter, Forester. Dutch Treat Dinner. Contact Bob Carr at (205) 424-1381 or coalcarr@bham.rr.com.

June 13...Cullman County 8 AM.
County Forestry Planning Committee Meeting at Forestry Commission office. Call Monica McCravy at (256) 734-0573.

June 12-15...Chilton, County 8 AM - 5 PM.
Certified Burn Manager Certification Course at the Alabama Power Company Clanton Conference Center. This training is designed for anyone who has an interest in the use of prescribed fire as a natural resources management tool. Contact Kent Hanby at hanby@charter.net or (256) 825-8593.

June 12-14...Tuscaloosa County.
The Teachers Conservation Workshop  “will offer extensive field trips to a paper mill, a sawmill, a logging site, a tree farm, and many other places where teachers will be able to learn about modern forest management and see first hand how the products they use daily are manufactured.” You are invited to recruit teachers to this workshop as well as sponsor their tuition ($400/teacher). Here is a preview of what teachers will see on the tours. Contact Rick Oates at (334) 481-2130 or roates@alaforestry.org.

June 14...Baton Rouge, Louisiana 7:45 AM - 1:30 PM.
Prescribed Burn Manager Certification. Location: LSU. This workshop is for anyone who has received formal classroom or on-the-job training in prescribed burning. Must pre-register. Contact Charles Shilling at cshilli@lsu.edu.

June 14...Dry Branch, Georgia 8:00 AM - 2 PM ET.
National Wild Turkey Federation Landowner Workshop. Location: Whiteway Plantation. Topics: Longleaf Pine Establishment and Management, Wildlife Plots/Openings, Forest Health/Invasive Species, Herbicide Use for Wildlife Management, and more. Fee: $10. Call James Austin at (912) 481-3821.

June 15...Lucedale, Mississippi 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM.
Pine Thinning Workshop. Location: George County Extension Service office. Fee: $20/person. Contact Mike Steede at (601) 947-4223 or mikes@ext.msstate.edu.

June 19-21…Lake Oconee, Georgia.
Georgia Division Society of American Foresters Annual Meeting, Wood and Beyond: an Exploration of Emerging Markets. Review the latest market developments in the forestry industry: woody biomass technology, carbon credit trading, wetland mitigation banking, pine straw leases and wood products. Some great recreational opportunities exist close by for the whole family: championship golf at Harbor Club, boating, fishing, and dirt bikes and ATVs at Durham Town Plantation. Fee: $150/person. Contact Joshua Harrell at (706) 845-9085 or jharrell@forestinvest.com.

June 20...Jefferson County 8:30 AM.
Storm Water Management Authority: Executive Committee Meeting. Location: SWMA office, 218 Summit Parkway, Suite 200, Homewood. Contact Pam McLaughlin at (205) 943-1941 or pmclaughlin@swma.com.

June 21...Starkville, Mississippi 8 AM - 5 PM.
LandMark Systems Intro to ArcGIS for Foresters class. Learn how to use ArcGIS for Forestry Applications like: integrating basemaps, GPS data and cruise data to create maps, and digitizing on top of aerial photos. Fee: $275. Contact Johnny Thompson at (662) 272-5344 or jthompson@landmarksystems.com.

June 21...Montgomery County 10 AM - 1 PM.
Tallapoosa River Basin Meeting at Montgomery Water Works. Contact Dawn Stephens at (334) 271-1444 or dstephen@ch2m.com.

June 22...Poplarville, Mississippi 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM.
Forest Certification Workshop at Pearl River County Administrative Building. Fee: $20. Call Billy Joe Lee at (601) 403-2280 or billyl@ext.msstate.edu.

June 21-23...Atlanta, Georgia.
Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition, sponsored by the Southern Forest Products Association. Location: Georgia World Congress Center. Agenda: wood products industry exhibits and a series of educational seminars. Fee: $169. Contact Eric Gee at (504) 443-4464x214 or egee@sfpa.org.

June 23…Magnolia, Arkansas 8 AM.
Magnolia Landowner’s Conference will include presentations on: Mid Rotation Fertilization, Management Plans & Returns, Forestry Carbon Credit Programs, Taxation & Ownership Entities, Maximizing Whitetail Deer Habitat in Forest Management, and Lucy Baines Johnson Family Timberland Story (private landowner with over 2000 timberland acres in Autauga County, AL). Fee: $35. Includes: admission, handouts, and lunch. Contact Colleen at (870) 234-0200x4 colleen@reynoldsforestry.com.

June 23...Knoxville, Tennessee 10 AM.
Cumberland Chapter WITO (Women in the Outdoors) Still Target Shoot. Location: John Sevier Hunter Safety Range. Sponsor: National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). Lunch: $5. Call Mark Burdette at (865) 882-6390 or markncathyb@comcast.net.

AFOA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

June 27, 2007...Nationwide 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM (Central Time).
CAPITAL IDEAS -- LIVE!
News Conference for Forest Owners.
This 30 minute telephone/Internet conference will feature state & national experts, researchers & authors on breaking issues, current research, can't-miss educational events, books & publications, timber market update and more. For more details, call AFOA at (205) 987-8811, Click here for links to past conferences. 

June 27…Multiple locations in Florida 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM CT.
Forest Stewardship Videoconference: Forest Fertilization - Worth the Investment? This program will help provide landowners with information and tools they can use to determine, based on their own objectives, soils and stand conditions, whether fertilization would be a cost-effective practice in their timber stands. Fee: $10 cash only. Contact Chris Demers at (352) 846-2375 or cdemers@ufl.edu.

June 29...Lee County 8:30 AM - 4:45 PM.
Wetland Delineation. Location: Auburn University School of Forestry & Wildlife Sciences Conference Hall - Room 1101. Provides a basic understanding of the delineation process including the resources and references used. Fee: $75; includes materials, lunch, and breaks. Contact Kathryn Flynn at (334) 844-1036 or flynnka@auburn.edu.

June 30 - July 3...State College, Pennsylvania.
Association of Consulting Foresters National Conference at Penn State University Conference Center. Visit our online Calendar of Events which will direct you to ACF’s online lesson plan and registration. Fee: $425. Contact Sarah O’Neil at (703) 548-0990 or director@acf-foresters.org.

> July 2007

July 9-13...Lee County.
The Teachers Conservation Workshop “will offer extensive field trips to a paper mill, a sawmill, a logging site, a tree farm, and many other places where teachers will be able to learn about modern forest management and see first hand how the products they use daily are manufactured.” You are invited to recruit teachers to this workshop as well as sponsor their tuition ($600/teacher). Here is a preview of what teachers will see on the tours. Call Rick Oates at (334) 481-2130 or roates@alaforestry.org.

July 10 or 11…Baton Rouge, Louisiana 8:30 AM - 4 PM.
Application of Microsoft Excel in Forestry - Beginning Level. Location: Renewable Natural Resources Building, LSU. The same class will be offered on two consecutive days. This workshop is designed for beginning users of Excel. Fee: $40. Contact Charles Shilling at (225) 578-4192 or cshilli@lsu.edu.

July 10...Jefferson County 10 AM to 12 PM.
Black Warrior River Basin Clean Water Partnership Meeting. Location: Alabama Power Company Division Office, 1313 6th Avenue North, Birmingham 35203. Contact Kellie Johnston at (205) 251-8139 or warriorcwp@hotmail.com.

July 10...Shelby County 6:30 PM.
Alabama Quail Hunters Monthly Meeting. Location: Lloyd’s Restaurant on Highway 280. Dutch Treat Dinner. Contact Bob Carr at (205) 424-1381 or coalcarr@bham.rr.com.

July 10…Athens, Georgia 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM.
Southern Tree Identification class at The UGA Georgia Center. Fee: $35. Call Steve Pettis at (706) 621-1248 or steve@completehortconsulting.com.

July 12…Baton Rouge, Louisiana 8:30 AM - 4 PM.
Application of Microsoft Excel in Forestry - Intermediate Level. Location: Renewable Natural Resources Building, LSU. Fee: $40. Contact Charles Shilling at (225) 578-4192 or cshilli@lsu.edu.

July 13...Poplarville, Mississippi 8:30 AM - 2:30 PM.
Forest Certification Workshop. Location: Pearl River County Administrative Building. Fee: $10/person. Call Billy Joe Lee at (601) 403-2280 or billyl@ext.msstate.edu.

July 14…Cleburne County 7 PM.
Learning by the Lake Series: Forest Ecology. Location: Coleman Lake Recreational Area (near Heflin). No fee. Contact JSU Field Schools at (256) 782-5697or fieldschool@jsu.edu.

July 16-17...Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
Making Money Growing Southern Pines. Location: Four Points by Sheraton. “Who should attend?...Landowners who want to obtain information on what is possible on their properties and estimates of reasonable rates of return for different management options.” Speakers: Barry Shiver and Bruce Borders. Fee: $445; $50 discount if paid by June 25. Includes lunch, refreshment breaks, and course materials. Contact Ben Jackson at (706) 542-2194 or bjackson@warnell.uga.edu.

AFOA EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

July 18, 2007...Nationwide 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM (Central Time).
CAPITAL IDE