DATE: 2/16/2006

CONTACT: Bob Franklin, (843) 549-2595; rmfrnkl@clemson.edu

WRITER: Tom Lollis, (803) 284-3343, ext. 241; tlollis@clemson.edu

Clemson sets sessions for landowners, foresters interested in longleaf pine

CLEMSON – Clemson University, the Lowcountry Forest Conservation Partnership and the Longleaf Alliance have partnered to offer programs in April for groups interested in longleaf pines and controlling invasive plant species.

On April 18 landowners can learn the basics on planting longleaf pines in a day-long program at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center (REC) at Florence, according to Bob Franklin, Clemson Extension Service forester who is working with the South Carolina Lowcountry Forest Conservation Program, an effort to protect 2.9 million acres of forest lands in the state’s Coastal Plain.

Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. The indoor morning program runs from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Following lunch a tour of forest management efforts at Pee Dee REC, including longleaf restoration, will begin at 1:30. The registration fee will be $35, and class size is limited to 40.

The following day a continuing education program for foresters will be held at Edisto REC at Blackville. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. A longleaf pine planting program will be held from 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Following lunch a program on controlling invasive plant species will be held from 1:30 until 4:30. Registration is $125 for the day-long program. Class size is also limited to 40.

Foresters and other natural resource professionals can receive 6.25 hours of Category 1 Continuing Forestry Education credits for the April 19 class.

For additional information and to register for these workshops, contact Susan Guynn at (864) 656-0606 or e-mail her at sguynn@clemson.edu. Anyone planning to attend either session needs to preregister.

END