Tour of New Melleray Abbey forestry operations

The professional forester for the New Melleray Abbey, John Schroeder, will lead a tour and discussion of various aspects of forestry operations on the Abbey approximately 1,00 acres of woodland.  He will discuss -

1. Fully laid out timber sale (or mostly) looking to implement in the near future. Layout may be a little more than what you are used to. Objectives: start regen cycle using the shelterwood and burn method to increase oak hickory development. We will use the slash wall to mitigate the effects of deer browse and fire to reduce competing vegetation.
2. Talk about various ways the abbey is merchandising our woods including wood products, value added products (burls, crotches etc), hunting, and carbon
3. Compare two units of burned and unburned areas for woodland RX burns. If interested I can bring along some fire gear and burn plans for the unfamiliar.
4. Praire wetland burn  that we conducted in the mid/early spring and a deer exclosure for our afforestation program. 
5. Give a brief talk about the monastic mission and trappist caskets but the focus would be on the forestry side of things. 

Directions: After crossing into Iowa, take Rte 61/151 south.  After ten miles, Rte 61 splits off to the south; stay on Rte 151 going southwest another seven miles to Monastery Road, taking it northwest about 1 1/2 miles to the Abbey.

We will meet at the main abbey and church parking lot and carpool in high clearance vehicles to the harvest area (4 WD and good tires are ideal). Some walking will be needed but not too much.

If you get lost, you can reach John Schroeder at 860-510-1061.