Registration Requirements: Preregistration required.

Recommended Audience: This practical training is designed for landowners with less than 10 acres of woodland who are looking to nurture a forest that maximizes wildlife benefits. Both new people managing their land, as well as those with moderate experience, will learn something.

Program Description: Built on the premise “if you’re a landowner, you’re a land manager,” this in-the-field class will cover the basics of what you need to know to manage your small woodland (under 10 acres) for wildlife viewing, solitude, pollinators, and bird habitat.

In this class, we’ll cover :

• Identifying your goals so you can create a management plan based on your specific objectives (one size does not fit all).
• How to quantify what you have using Holden Arboretum's Small Woodland Management Manual tool: https://holdenfg.org/blog/small-woodland-management-manual/ (we’ll walk through this valuable tool, using real-world woodland examples paired with Cincinnati Nature Center staff expertise).
• How to create a functional woodland with forest layers and a diversity of tree species, ages, and sizes.
• How to maintain successional areas for diversity.
• The importance of maximizing woodland edges.
• Managing invasive species coupled with “I’ve removed the honeysuckle, now what?” next steps.
• Ideas for managing deer pressure when replanting.
• How to manage sunlight.
• Demonstrations of tree planting, pruning, and thinning.
• How the importance of not doing helps us be effective in our management actions.

What to Expect:  This program utilizes real-world, on-the-ground examples of woodlands managed by Cincinnati Nature Center’s Conservation Team. We will be walking between management examples. Some optional applied learning (hands-on) is possible.

• Trails/areas used during this program are rated as moderate (some elevation changes; trails may be uneven or could be slippery when wet) for a planned distance of 1-2 miles at a moderate pace.
• Restrooms are available at the start and end of the program. Restrooms are not available on the trails.
• This program is mostly outdoors with indoor options available in the case of severe weather.
• Program runs rain or shine.

What to Bring: Water bottle. Bring your own snacks, if desired.

What to Wear: Dress for the weather and to be outdoors the entire time.

Where to Meet: Registered participants will meet in the auditorium of the Visitor Center at our Rowe Woods location. (4949 Tealtown Road, Milford, OH 45150)

Cost: Ticket fees include daily admission.

Frequently Asked Questions:

For whom is this class intended? This practical training is designed for landowners with less than 10 acres of woodland who are looking to nurture a forest that maximizes wildlife benefits. Both new people managing their land, as well as those with moderate experience, will learn something.

What if it rains/storms? Plan to be out and about if it’s safe to be out. We’ll have a rain backup room and an equally valuable indoor plan if conditions are unsafe.

Will food be served? Light “foraged from the forest” refreshments served.

Check your email for registration information regarding this transaction. SAVE A TREE, please retain your order number or save an electronic copy of the email acknowledgement as a receipt. You may be asked for your order number from your transaction to gain entry at the gate/to attend your program. Visitor Services associates can also verify your etickets from the order number or by name.

Please note that our program and cancellation policies vary. By completing registration for this program, you agree to the following general program policies.