NIFA & JDCF: Tree ID Tour of Schurmeier Forest

Northwest Illinois Forestry Association (NIFA) and Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation (JDCF) are co-hosting a Tree Identification Workshop on September 11th at the Schurmeier Teaching Forest just outside of Elizabeth, Illinois. The workshop will begin at 1:00 p.m. The Teaching Forest is located on West Reusch Road about 1/2 mile east of South Tower Road. This is approximately three miles south of Elizabeth and 2.5 miles NE of Hanover. There is a parking area and shelter at the location, but no restroom facilities. Participants should dress for the weather and expect uneven or slippery ground on the walking tour.

Ken Beach, NIFA President, and Pam Johnson, Master Naturalist volunteer with the University of Illinois Extension and a volunteer docent for JDCF, will be leading the group on a walk through the Teaching Forest. Ken and Pam have conducted these sessions previously and look forward to working with participants and tree characteristics to help you identify the many different tree species in our area. You can expect to see oak, walnut, cherry, elm, hickory, basswood, ash, hornbeam, and dogwood. They will also be pointing out invasives that have infiltrated our woodlands. The workshop is an enjoyable time to be outdoors and will help participants feel closer to the environment. You will be encouraged to participate and hopefully will take away many new identification characteristics that will help you in the future. A Schurmeier Forest guidebook will be provided to participants.