Male adult downy woodpecker in Rhode Island. Photo © Evan Lipton | Macaulay Library
Read about how forestry connects to more in Maryland than you may imagine, and about a potential tool in the fight against Lyme disease. There's also a book review! Our regular features include profiles of the downy woodpecker in the Woodland Wildlife Spotlight, and bull thistle in Invasives in Your Woodland, as well as our events calendar and the Brain Tickler challenge.
Connecting Trees and Forests with...
Bill Hubbard, Assistant Director - Environmental, Natural Resources & Sea Grant Programs
As a state Program Leader for environmental, natural resources and Sea Grant programs, I work with over 40 professionals who have a wide variety of responsibilities from watersheds and climate, to home horticulture and aquaculture. What never ceases to amaze me is the connections and importance of trees and forests in what many of these educators do, even in areas you would not initially imagine. Today, more than ever, my “non-forester” colleagues are beginning to see that “trees indeed are the answer.”
A New Way to Fight Lyme Disease: Prescribed Fire
Warren Cornwall, Anthropocene Magazine
The United States has more than 60,000 cases of Lyme disease reported per year. Now scientists are wondering if prescribed fire could not only improve forest health but reduce tick populations as well.
Woodland Wildlife Spotlight: Downy Woodpecker
Andrew A. Kling, Faculty Associate
Of the seven species of woodpecker native to Maryland, the downy woodpecker is the smallest. It can be found in a wide variety of habitats, both natural and human-made, across the state.
Invasives in Your Woodland: Bull Thistle
Andrew A. Kling, Faculty Associate
In this issue, we look at bull thistle. It's a widespread invasive found throughout Maryland, where it has been declared a noxious weed.
The News and Notes roundup for this issue shares important information about a UME forestry specialist vacancy; reminds you that now's the time to think about ordering seedlings for your Maryland or Virginia spring tree planting projects; and shares news about the possible reintroduction of an extirpated species to Pennsylvania's forests.
Book Review: 10,000 Days in the Woods by Russ Richardson
Jonathan Kays, Retired University of Maryland Extension Forester
10,000 Days in Woods is an enjoyable and easy to read series of fifty-eight short stories of one man’s journey from childhood to that of professional forester.
For this Brain Tickler, we go to Pennsylvania. Recently, visitors to forested state parks came across signs with the state’s Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources logo that warned about sightings of a particular species in the area. The DCNR has denied that this species is found in Pennsylvania and says the signs are a hoax. Name the species that the signs said had been spotted in the area.
Thank you! Read our next issue for the correct answer!
In the Summer 2022 issue, we asked you to identify the woodland invasive on the forest floor of the photo. Congratulations to our reader Anita who correctly identified this woodland invasive as garlic mustard.
Events Calendar
November 16, 2022, 12 pm-1 pm
Woodland & Wildlife Wednesday Webinar: “Forest Health - Pests and Diseases”
Online
Join us for our next Woodland & Wildlife Wednesday webinar. Heather Disque of the Maryland Department of Agriculture-Forest Pest Management, will provide her annual look at the health of Maryland’s forests. The webinar is free but registration is required. For more information, go to go.umd.edu/woodlandwildlife.
November 19, 2022, 1 pm
Walk in the Woods: Antietam along the Potomac
Antietam, MD
Join a guided hike along the C&O Canal near Antietam Creek to learn the local flora, fauna and natural and human history of the Potomac River Basin. The hike leader, Jim Cummins, retired Aquatic Biologist of Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) and current President of Potomac Valley Audubon Society (PVAS), will share the fascinating human and biological history of the area. This event is free; learn more and register on Eventbrite here.
November 30, 2022, 10 am - 2 pm
Succession Planning Workshop: Passing the Baton
Crownsville, MD
Succession planning is a very important topic in Maryland’s land trust community – leadership for both staff and board are aging out and land trusts are looking ahead as they prepare for the next 50 years. This workshop, presented by Forever Maryland and the Maryland Environmental Trust, will focus on succession planning and transitions for land trust staff in leadership positions. Learn more about this free event here.
January 11-March 8, 2023
Penn State Extension: The Woods in Your Backyard webinar series
Online
The popular version of “The Woods in Your Backyard” from Penn State Extension is back for 2023. This series of weekly webinars helps you to explore planning and implementing simple stewardship practices on your lot by creating and enhancing natural areas and making a positive impact on the environment. Over the course of nine weeks, participants will hear from experts from Penn State Extension, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, and Pennsylvania state agencies who will share information about the value of small-acreage woodlands and how to put your knowledge to work. The series is $50.00. Go to this link to learn more and to register.
