WOODLAND OWNERS OF CENTRE COUNTY (WOCC)

PURPOSE OF WOCC Practical forest stewardship for landowners through  best management practices  sustainability  knowledge & use of resources  witnessing examples of good management

History  In 1993 possible woodland owners organization  General meeting for WOCC held in 1994 with positive results

History  In 1993 possible woodland owners organization  General meeting for WOCC held in 1994 with positive results  In 1998 WOCC incorporated as a 501-C- 3 corporation - tax exempt educational organization  WOCC now has 80 members

Programs  For learning or educating ourselves

Programs  For learning or educating ourselves  Outreach for educating others

Programs  For learning or educating ourselves  Outreach for educating others  Social

Programs  For learning or educating ourselves  Outreach for educating others  Social  Activities

Programs  For learning or educating ourselves  Outreach for educating others  Social  Activities  Newsletter

What Works Food - annual picnic well-attended (40-60 people)   Keep location same each year   Interesting programs   WOCC provides meal (all members have to do is come)  Social time

Very Valuable Resources  Service forester and extension forester give advice and help out in any way they can.  Penn State ’ s School of Forestry

Landowner Tours  Well-attended  Members really enjoy seeing what other people are doing in their woodlots

Landowner Tours  Well-attended  Members really enjoy seeing what other people are doing in their woodlots  Food goes well here  Social time

Hands-on Programs  Chainsaw workshop: chainsaw maintenance, safety, clothing and felling

Hands-on Programs  Chainsaw workshop: chainsaw maintenance, safety, clothing and felling  Trees to lumber workshop (one of our members has a portable sawmill). Demo covered felling a tree the safe way, dragging to prep site, putting it on the sawmill, & grading lumber afterwards

Education/Outreach  WOCC display at Timber Expo 2005  Display at Ag Progress Days with volunteers

Community Outreach Annual Festival of Trees  Rewarding for us as individuals  Coming together to work & socialize  Lunch

What Doesn ’ t Work  Getting people to attend meetings

What Doesn ’ t Work  Getting people to attend meetings  Getting people involved in leadership

What Doesn ’ t Work  Getting people to attend meetings  Getting people involved in leadership  Contacting members about programs

Future Emphases  Get more members to attend meetings

Future Emphases  Get more members to attend meetings  Raise awareness of members & public about value of our forests now & in the future

Future Emphases  Get more members to attend meetings  Raise awareness of members & public about value of our forests now & in the future  Younger generations - increase awareness of good forestry practices

Future Emphases  Get more members to attend meetings  Raise awareness of members & public about value of our forests now & in the future  Younger generations - increase awareness of good forestry practices  Sustainability – forests are to be used, conserved, preserved now and in the future (forests are a lot more than trees)

Ideas Contact hunting clubs Boy Scouts - forestry merit badge