Event Aims to Help Landowners Hit With Woodland Storm Damage

This summer’s storms were touch on residents of Ashland and surrounding counties. From derechos to tornados to intense summer thunderstorms, Ashland County was on the receiving end of a lot of extreme weather this summer.

Not only did homeowners have property and yard damage, but in many cases, woodland owners were faced with extensive damage that in many cases made their woodlands almost unrecognizable. Not that the high-priority clean up has been completed, many landowners are left wondering what their next steps should be in managing their damaged woodlands.

That’s why Ashland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is teaming up with the Mohican State Forest and Peer Family Forestry to host a Conservation Chat: Forestry FAQs  on October 13 to help answer woodland owners’ most frequently asked questions about recovering from the storm.

“Ashland County saw a lot of wind damage in a number of difference intense storm events this summer, and in many cases, that damage really changed the face of a lot of landscapes,” said Jane Houin, Ashland SWCD director. “Everyone was really focused on restoring power and cleaning up damage in and around their homes initially, but now the reality is setting in that decisions are going to need to me made on how they manage their woodlands going forward.”

For the Conservation Chat, participants will meet at the Mohican State Forest’s Memorial Shrine.

“From there, we’re going to walk and get an up close and personal look at some of the damage that happened right in the Mohican State Forest, which was pretty intense,” said Katie Eikleberry, Ashland SWCD conservation specialist. “We’ll look at a number of those sites with Chad Sanders, the forest manager, and learn about how the state forest is addressing that damage.”

Participants in the chat will also hear from Jake Peer from Peer Family Forestry. Peer will offer ideas and suggestions to landowners based on what he has seen in the woods and will also be able to talk about the importance of developing a meaningful management plan for your woodlands.

“Developing a working woodland management plan is a vital tool for landowners to maximize their woodland’s potential,” said Eikleberry. “And those plans are also important going forward because of some changes in the way woodlands are being handled in terms of CAUV (current agricultural use value.”

The Forestry FAQs Conservation Chat will be start at the Memorial Shrine on October 13 at 6 p.m. There is no cost to attend, but registration is encouraged to ensure adequate materials are on hand. Registrations can be made by calling the SWCD office at 419-281-7645.

Participants should wear comfortable walking/hiking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.