By Lynn Dickinson, Michelle Giddens
It’s always fun to watch the Alabama countryside go from bare tree branches in February, to a hint of green in mid to late March, and then explode into the full green color spectrum in April. The explosion of green usually happens after a good rainfall and seemingly overnight. It cues us to finish prepping our vegetable garden space and think about what annuals to plant in hanging baskets or pots. It’s also a good time for landowners to create or evaluate your Land Management Plan.
Forested property requires the same time and attention that your lawn or garden does. A land management plan requires that you write goals and objectives for what you want to accomplish and it serves as a road map. The plan helps you stay on track and provides a timeline for when certain task should be completed. Recording the cost and successfulness of each tasks provides is also part of good record keeping. A well thought out plan ensures that your time and resources are being wisely invested and avoid costly mistakes. It serves as a communication tool for professionals you may need to hire to reach your objectives. Bibb County Extension is offering three events to help landowners.
Land Management Field Day, Saturday April 23rd, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm at UWA Cahaba Biodiversity Center on Hwy 219. This workshop will aid the land owner in a variety of land management practices: understory control, invasive species identification and management, herbicides, wildlife management, and more will be covered including how to develop a land management plan. Lunch will be provided. Attendees will also tour the property. Cost is $10 per person. Registration is required, as space is limited. To register, go to https://www.aces.edu/go/2587 or call the Bibb Extension Office at 205-926-4310.
Recreational Pond Management, Friday, May 13th, 9:00am-1:00 pm at 5886 Selma Road, Centreville, AL. Pond management workshop with presentations covering basic fishpond management, wildlife damage control, and weed management. Will also include an outdoor electrofishing demonstration at a pond site. If you have a weed growing in your pond, or want to get your pond water sampled, bring it along with you to be analyzed for free. To register, go to https://www.aces.edu/event/recreational-pond-management-2/ or call the Bibb Extension Office at 205-926-4310.
Learn to Burn, Tuesday, June 14th, 9:00 am-6:00 pm Attendees will experience this day long “start to finish” prescribed burn. Up to twenty participants will be accepted and assigned to crews. Each crew will be led by experienced, Alabama Certified Prescribed Burn Managers. Participants will have access all day to observe, ask questions, and gain EXPERIENCE with ignition and holding. This is a live fire event in the field. Participants should expect to spend most of the day on their feet walking around the burn unit. Participants need to wear natural fiber clothing (jeans, long-sleeve cotton shirts, leather boots), no synthetic materials. Date: June 14-17, 2022** First available burn day. Participants will be given 2 days advance notice. To register, go to https://www.aces.edu/event/learn-to-burn/ or call the Bibb Extension Office at 205-926-4310.
For more information on any of these programs, contact Lynn Dickinson at 334-303-8360.
