Event

Ok, so this event doesn't have anything to do with the state forests, however, it does involve the Virginia Department of Forestry. This saturday, April 17th, Montpelier is having a grand celebration for the opening of the new demonstratin forest. This forest was a colaborative effort by Montpelier, the Virginia Department of Forestry, the Ballyshannon Foundation, Virginia Tech, Virginia Cooperative Extension, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, and a consulting forester to implement and show off various forest management practices that would be applicable to forest landowners. The practices include a portable timber bridge, a wildlife meadow, crop tree release, shortleaf pine planting, thinning, hardwood management, and best management practices (BMP's). The demonstration forest offers a one mile trail that connects the Landmark Forest and the Montpelier grounds. Interpretive signs will guide users through the forest and explain the practices they see. This is a beautiful site and would be a great day trip.

Refreshments, tours, cake, and a dinner are all part of this celebration. Tours of the forest start at 1pm and go through 4pm followed by the opening ceremony where former senator John Warner will speak as well as various other natural resource professionals. The schedule is as follows:

*12:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.: Demonstration Forest Tours (last tour departs at 4:00 p.m.)
*1:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.: Outdoor Children's Activities
*5:30 p.m.: Opening Ceremony

Barbeque dinner and reception to follow.
Admission to Montpelier and Opening Ceremony: $16 adults/$8 Children 6-14/$10 Virginia Garden Week Ticketholders/Free for Friends of Montpelier and Children under 6.

Barbeque Dinner: $25 adults/$10 Children Under 12

More information can be found at: www.montpelier.org.

Please join us as this promises to be a great day!