SMETHPORT — A day-long workshop is scheduled for April 30 at Pine Acres Country Club on erosion and sedimentation control in the forests.

The conservation districts of Cameron, Elk, McKean, Potter, Tioga, and Warren counties, in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources, Penn State Extension, and the Allegheny National Forest, are sponsoring a day-long workshop for foresters, loggers, logging contractors, and private landowners.

The workshop will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. The workshop includes an afternoon field session to examine erosion prevention and control on a forest site. Participants should be dressed to spend several hours outdoors, rain or shine. The training is funded in part by the Pennsylvania Association of Conservation Districts through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Section 319 of the Clean Water Act, which is administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The workshop will cover erosion & sedimentation guidelines, best management practices for timber operations and harvests, practical information for planning the timber harvest and considerations during & after the harvest, and on-site field work in Timber Harvest Planning and Layout. Professional credits are available for Continuing Education (PA Sustainable Forestry Initiative and Society of American Foresters (pending); SFI credits require an additional $20 fee. Workshop cost is $15 per person, which includes materials, refreshments, and lunch. Pre-register for the course no later than April 22nd by contacting the McKean County Conservation District at 887-4001 or email Jody Groshek at jdgroshek@mckeancountypa.org