Penn State Extension Hosts 9-Part Woods In Your Backyard Webinar Series Jan. 14 to March 11

The Penn State Extension will again host the popular nine-part Woods In Your Backyard webinar series on how to make the most of your woodland or backyard.

The series explores forest ecology, soils, native landscaping, tree identification, wildlife habitat enhancement, water management, invasive species control, and practical woodlot stewardship. 

The topics to be covered include--

-- January 14: Why The Woods In Your Backyard Are Important

-- January 21: Importance Of Woods To Healthy Watersheds

-- January 28: Trees and Shrubs for Different Sites And Objectives

-- February 4: Forest Ecology and Woodlot Management Techniques

-- February 11: Providing for and Enhancing Wildlife

-- February 18: Identifying and Controlling Invasive Plants In Small Woodlots

-- February 25: Healthy Woods: Common Insects and Diseases

-- March 4: Converting Lawns to Natural Areas (Meadows & Woods)

-- March 11: Putting Your Knowledge To Work: What's Your Plan? Map It Out

The webinars will be held from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.  Each session is followed by a 30-minute Q&A and is recorded for later viewing, ensuring flexibility for all participants.

Attendees will also receive a copy of The Woods in Your Backyard: Learning to Create and Enhance Natural Areas around Your Home, a full-color, 108-page guide to sustainable land care.

Who is this for?

-- Landowners

-- Land managers

-- Conservation organizations

-- Watershed volunteers

What will you learn?

-- Why managing forests is important

-- Principles of forest ecology

-- How to create and manage wildlife habitat

-- How to identify and control invasive plants

-- Forest health issues and management strategies

-- The relationship between forests and water

-- How to select native trees for various sites

-- How to establish meadows and forests

-- How to create a management plan for your property

Continuing education credits are available for Landscape Architects.

Partnering organizations include: Forests for the Bay; Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: DCNR Bureau of Forestry; Game Commission; James C. Finley Center for Private Forests at Penn State; and University of Maryland Extension

Click Here to register and for more information.

Visit the Penn State Extension website to learn more about many other learning opportunities.

Related Article This Week:

-- Manada Conservancy Hosts Nov. 6 Saving Nature In Your Backyard Program In Hershey, Dauphin County  [PaEN] 

[Posted: November 1, 2025]  PA Environment Digest