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• Forestry Stewardship Webinar Series 2025

  • Start
    07/09/2025
  •  
  • End
    07/30/2025
  •  
  • Schedule
    4 sessions

  The 2025 Forest Stewardship Webinar Series features a series of four presentations from Forestry Experts each Wednesday at 2:00 pm Central on July 9, 16, 23, and 30.  You can choose to sign up for any or all of them! Virtual sessions are 1-hour in length, open to the public, and free to attend.  ISA Certified Arborist Continuing Education credits have been applied for.

  
  

  Register Here

  July 9 - Urban Trees are a Matter of Life and Death, Geoffrey Donovan, Ash and Elm Consulting

  • This presentation will discuss three studies linking urban trees with human health. 1. Women who have more trees around their home are less likely to have underweight or premature babies. 2. The spread of the emerald ash borer does more than cause environmental harm. In addition, counties infested with emerald ash borer have higher rates of cardiovascular and lower respiratory mortality. 3, Neighborhoods that have more tree planting also have lower rates of cardiovascular mortality. Taken together, these studies show that urban trees can have a profound effect on our health.

  
  July 16 - Legacy Trees: the significance of and how to manage our forest elders, Justin Vozzo, University of Illinois

  • Legacy trees are defined by many names, shapes, sizes and stories. This talk will define a legacy tree and explore the history and benefits of some of the oldest trees on our Illinois landscape. We will discuss how the ecological and cultural significance of these trees across various examples in both forested and urban settings. There will be a discussion about how these trees can be managed to support and sustain the benefits they provide. Finally, this talk will cover past, current, and future programs and initiatives that advocate for these trees. 

  
  July 23 - Staying Inside the Lines: Best Practices for Firebreak Design, Chris Evans, University of Illinois

  • Prescribed fire is an important management tool in forests and grasslands.  A well designed and correctly installed firebreak is the first line of defense in keeping your burn safe and effective.  This presentation will cover the basics of firebreak placement, installation, design tools, and techniques.

  
  July 30 - Emerging Invasive Species Across Illinois, Kevin Rohling, University of Illinois

  • Keeping tabs on the latest invasive species in our region is critical to implementing successful management strategies, such as Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR). This presentation will cover emerging invasive species based on several sources of information, including land managers, surveys, citizen science, and expert opinions. Species covered will include some new to Illinois in recent years and some species actively spreading from one region to others where they will be new invaders.  Examples include Amur maple, wineberry, chaff flower, stiltgrass, spotted lanternfly, and others. Aspects of each species will be discussed, such as their ecological characteristics, current and native distributions, spread pathways, and control techniques.

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• IFA 20th Annual Conference

  • Start
    09/18/2025
  •  
  • End
    09/20/2025
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  • Schedule
    3 sessions
  • Location
    Lewis and Clark Community College, Trimpe Advanced Technology Center, Walter S. Ahlemeyer Atrium, Room 141, 5800 Godfrey Rd., Godfrey, IL

  Register

  Join us for a special milestone: the 20th Anniversary of the Illinois Forestry Association!

  This year’s Annual Conference brings together forest landowners, professionals, and conservation enthusiasts for three days of field tours, educational sessions, and networking. We’ll also be unveiling IFA’s new mission, vision, and logo—a fresh chapter for our growing community. The event will be held at Lewis & Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois.

  Conference Highlights

  Thursday, Sept. 18

  • Afternoon field tour of the Lovett property (3169 Churchman Hollow Rd, Michael, IL 62065) led by IFA President Paul Deizman (1:30pm)

  • Evening social hour with appetizers and cash bar @ LCCC (5-7pm)

  • Silent auction opens

  Friday, Sept. 19 (8am-5pm, LCCC)

  • Morning member meeting and opening remarks

  • Educational sessions covering a range of forestry topics (see below)

  • Indoor and outdoor concurrent sessions in the afternoon

  • Silent auction closes in the evening

  Saturday, Sept. 20 (8am-12pm)

  • Optional Saturday morning field tour

  • Visit La Vista Ecological Learning Center and The Palisades Preserve

  • Coffee and light snack before hikes

  
  

  Topics Covered

  • Stewarding IFA Properties – Strategies for managing demonstration forests for education, conservation, and engagement.

  • State Forestry Update – News and priorities from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

  • Women in Forestry – Insights from the Women Owning Woodlands program, fostering networks and landowner leadership.

  • Geology & Forest Health – How regional geology shapes forest ecosystems and management.

  • Wildlife Habitat – Best practices for supporting native wildlife on forested lands.

  • Pollinator-Friendly Forestry – Using native plants to promote pollinator health and ecological diversity.

  • Prescribed Burns – Ecological benefits and how-to basics of controlled fire in forest management.

  • Tree & Shrub Identification – Hands-on training to improve woodland plant recognition.

  • Drone Technology in Forestry – Modern tools for monitoring and managing forest lands.

  
  

  Registration Fee

  • Early-Bird (Now–Sept 3): $50

  • Regular (Sept 4–Sept 20): $60

  Registration includes all sessions and tours, social hour appetizers, Friday lunch and refreshments, and access to the silent auction. Registration is open through the final day of the conference.

  Lodging & Travel Info:
  Room Block @ Holiday Inn Express & Suites Alton - St Louis Area, or

  Mention IFA when checking in @ Best Western Plus Parkway Hotel

  Questions? Email events@ilforestry.org

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• Paw Paw Pawpaw Festival

  • When
    09/20/2025
  • Location
    Paw Paw, Illinois

  The second annual Paw Paw Pawpaw Festival is September 20, 2025! This growing event celebrates the unique pawpaw fruit with fresh fruit and seedlings for sale, educational talks, and pawpaw-themed food and drink. Starting with a 5K/10K run at 8:00 AM, the festival offers a full day of pawpaw celebration until 6:30 PM.

  Families can enjoy pawpaw-themed activities for kids, while everyone is welcome to explore the vendors offering a variety of pawpaw products. Our tram tours will showcase local pawpaw plantings, and in the afternoon, visitors can enjoy live music and refreshments at the beer garden. Whether you're new to pawpaws or a seasoned enthusiast, the festival offers something for everyone.

  Learn More Here!
  

  
  

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