KANE — Dr. Todd Ristau, researcher in silviculture, will be the keynote speaker when the Roach-Bauer Forestry Forum marks 40 years Oct. 10 at the Wilcox Community Building.
Ristau works for the U.S. Forest Service at the Northern Research Station’s Forestry Sciences Lab in Irvine. He has worked at the Forestry Sciences Lab since 1991 when he was hired as a technician, worked as an ecologist, then in 2001 became a research ecologist and currently serves as the SILVAH team leader and director’s representative.
Ristau said, “We will be looking back at the role that the Forestry Sciences Laboratory has played in sustainable forestry practices and promoting partnerships on the Allegheny Plateau and beyond by looking at some of the important publications and products produced by the lab over the years. I am pleased to have been asked to share this history at the October Roach-Bauer Forestry Forum and look forward to it.”
Ristau started his education at Houghton College in New York and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 1991. He earned his master’s degree in forest science from Pennsylvania State University in 1997 and completed his doctorate in plant ecology from The State University of New York in 2010.
His current research interests are nitrogen deposition changes and the effect on black cherry seeds and seedlings; development of appropriate use of herbicides and fertilizers to enhance seedlings; long-term changes in old growth forests of the Allegheny Plateau; and enhancing regeneration guidelines for northern hardwood forests. Ristau will highlight research results that fit with the mission of the Roach-Bauer Forestry Forum.
A special field tour from noon to 4 p.m. will be held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Roach-Bauer Forestry Forum by highlighting research results and use at three field stops near Wilcox. The field tour will start and end at the Wilcox Community Building. Field tour attendees need to identify themselves on their registration form. Upon return from the field tour at the Wilcox Community Building, the evening’s event will start. Note that the entire program will start earlier than usual.
Organizers said Ristau’s presentation will be of interest to all forest managers who recognize the importance of research in advancing forest management across the Allegheny Plateau region. Society of American Foresters’ Continuing Forestry Education credits will be applied for this presentation.
The forum will be held at the Wilcox Community Building (also called the Jones Township Community Center) at 320 Faries St., Wilcox. Preceding the talk will be a no-host social hour from 4 until dinner is served at 5 p.m. The program will start immediately after dinner. Reservations are required by Oct. 3 by contacting the Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group at P.O. Box 133, Kane, PA 16735; (814) 837-8550; or bcarson@ahug.com.
