Join us for a first-hand look at active forest management! This field day is a great opportunity for local landowners to see how a formal Forest Management Plan works on the ground and learn how to navigate cost-share funding programs for proper ty improvements.

What We'll Cover:

• Management & Funding: The process of getting a forest plan written and securing financial assistance to offset costs.

• Invasive Species Control: Real-world results of bush honeysuckle removal, including recent mechanical forestry mulching and contractor treatments.

• Timber Stand Improvement: On-site contractor Mike McKim is handling the invasive mulching and will be there to share his expertise on all aspects of timber stand improvement, including specialized equipment and herbicide applications.

• Owner Improvements: A look at hands-on timber stand and property improvements completed around the homestead, featuring firsthand insights directly from the landowner himself, Paul Ladner.

If you want a closer look at how a fellow landowner tackles property management on the ground, register today to join us!

Oh Deer! Evil Tree Tubes, Floods, and Plagues: Trials and Tribulations of a Restoration Tree Planting

Join the Illinois Forestry Association for an immersive and eye-opening field day at the beautiful Nipper Wildlife Sanctuary, located just southeast of Loami in Sangamon County. Led by tour leader Mike Kennedy, this two- to three-hour event takes you behind the scenes of a real-world oak and hickory ecosystem restoration to explore the monumental successes and frustrating struggles of bringing a woodland back to life.

The tour focuses heavily on the practical, hands-on realities of ecological restoration across ten acres of upland and bottomland woodlands. Participants will get an up-close look at extensive invasive species removal, discuss ongoing monitoring strategies, and examine the "good, the bad, and the ugly" of using various tree protection tubes to ward off deer and rodents. Mike will also dive into the forward-thinking concept of assisted migration and how selecting specific tree species can maximize future forest diversity and resilience.

To reach the woodlands, the tour begins with a quarter-mile walk on a mowed path through a beautifully restored prairie and wetlands. Once in the woods, expect a mile or less of walking on mowed, slightly hilly trails. Please dress for the weather, wear comfortable and sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots, and bring your questions for an honest look at habitat restoration. An on-site building with restroom facilities is available.

Join the Iowa Society of American Foresters for their 2026 Fall Meeting in Dubuque and Peosta, Iowa!

This two-day event features a guided field tour of the historic New Melleray Abbey, technical presentations, and valuable networking opportunities for forestry professionals, students, and enthusiasts.

Schedule & Highlights

• Wednesday, October 28 (Peosta & Dubuque, IA):

  • 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Business meeting, registration, welcome, and a presentation on the history of the New Melleray Forestry Program by Sam Mulgrew at Holy Family Church (16318 Holy Family Lane, Peosta, IA).

  • 11:00 AM – 4:30 PM: Field tour at New Melleray Abbey (lunch provided in the field). Field topics include:

    • 4-year-old Direct Seeding and Beaver Analogs

    • 27-year-old Clearcut management

    • 25-year-old Walnut Gem and Oak Gem Direct Seeding

    • 4-year-old Slash Wall demonstration

  • 5:30 PM: Evening dinner and silent auction at Jubecks New World Brewing (115 W 11th St, Dubuque, IA). The silent auction concludes at 8:00 PM (contributions of auction items or cash for bidding are strongly encouraged!).

• Thursday, October 29 (Peosta, IA):

  • 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Morning presentations at the Swiss Valley Nature Center (13606 Swiss Valley Rd, Peosta, IA):

    • Lead Mines in Dubuque County – Samantha Murphy-Sharp (Office of State Archaeologist)

    • The Rise and Fall of Garlic Mustard and Other Invasives – John Pearson

  • 11:00 AM: Event wrap-up.

Registration & Cost

• Professional Members: $60

• Students: $25

• Non-members: $85

RSVP Deadline: October 21, 2026

To RSVP or ask questions, contact Gretchen Cline at gretchencline@gmail.com or call 563-349-9918.

Please send advance payments to: Gretchen Cline, PO Box 86, Swedesburg, IA 52652.

Lodging Details

• Hotel: Holiday Inn Dubuque, 450 Main St, Dubuque, IA 52001 (563-556-2000)

• Group Rate: $110/night block rate available until September 28. (Note: If booking at the state rate, please call the hotel directly outside of the reserved block)