Washtenaw County Conservation District and Michigan State University-Extension are hosting a free statewide educational event: “Forest Forensics: Ghosts on the Landscape”

The Washtenaw County Conservation District and Michigan State University-Extension are hosting a free statewide educational event that will have both an online and in-person component, called “Forest Forensics: Ghosts on the Landscape.” On October 26th, please join a webinar introduction to forest forensics, the art and science of using landscape features to detect clues as to the glacial and land-use history of an area. Nearly every hill, pile of rocks, or clearing can tell us the story of both human and non-human caused changes to the landscape – if we pay attention! After the webinar, participants can join related in-person field experiences at any of five locations across the state to try out their new detective skills.

The introduction webinar will be held Tuesday, October 26th from 6:30-7:30pm. We will cover the basic skills and concepts used in forest forensics and provide resources for participants to learn more. In the webinar, we’ll also provide a glimpse into the featured field experience sites. The five field experiences will be held on Saturdays and in various locations throughout the state:

● November 6, 1:00 – 3:00 pm (near Marquette)

● November 6, 10:00 – noon (near Roscommon)

● November 13, 10:00 – noon (near Eaton Rapids)

● November 13, 10:00 – noon with WCCD (near Ann Arbor)

● December 4, 1:00—3:00 pm (near Hastings)

Details and directions to each site will be sent to registrants in advance. Register for the webinar and the related field experiences today at https://events.anr.msu.edu/ForForensics2021.

The Forest Forensics series is presented as a collaboration between Michigan State University-Extension, U.P. Land Conservancy, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, and the Washtenaw County Conservation District. You can review last year’s related webinar series here: https://www.uplandconservancy.org/webinars.