CFD’s Going Strong!
Community Forestry Days are off-and-running in 2023 at the Hopkins Demonstration Forest in Beavercreek. The CFDs have been scheduled EVERY SECOND SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH for the past 30 years. Everyone is invited to lend a hand.
“We really appreciate the help. We all get to “learn by doing”, but at the end of the day, it’s about keeping the property and facilities in good working shape and continually make needed upgrades,” according to Peter Matzka, FFI Forest Educator and leader for the monthly activities.
In January, Hopkins hosted nearly 60 volunteers at the CFD—including two scouting groups. One group was an Eagle Scout project with about 20 scouts and parents/leaders. Another scouting group included 20 more volunteers helping with winter storm damage clean up. Other woodland owners and public volunteers worked on storm damage focusing on clearing trails and ensuring that buildings were safe.
The February CFD included almost 50 more volunteers who continued storm damage clean up, worked to on clean-up tasks around a new Outreach Center that is nearing completion—and about ½ the group planting trees in a reforestation area.
“The entire community is invited to any of our Community Forestry Days. We have regular participants, those who can only come out occasionally, and those who like to organize a group once a year from their businesses or organization. It’s all appreciated. We all learn a lot from each other—and make a real difference!”
And, Matza provides lunch for individuals and groups if he knows in advance for their participation. Contact Matzka at 503-632-2150 for more information.
Mt. Hood Community College students learning how to properly plant a tree seedling.
Satisfied tree planter learning the techniques.
Volunteer crew cleaning up down trees and limbs following December storm damage.