WHITE SALMON — The air is changing, the mountains are getting early snow, and soon there may be snow in town to enjoy. It’s the perfect time of year to learn and think about projects in the year ahead. Underwood Conservation District (UCD) is hosting its sixth annual Winter Workshop Series that will continue monthly in December, January and February in Husum and White Salmon. Participants will enjoy connecting and learning about various natural resource topics, both in-person and virtually.
On Dec. 11 from noon to 4 p.m., UCD is partnering with Atlan Center & Back to Life Biochar to launch this year’s winter workshop series with an outdoor event all about biochar. Back to Life Biochar Hands-On Workshop will be outdoors in the Husum area, observing different stages of making biochar, participating in live demonstrations of biochar creation, discussing various techniques and scales for making your own biochar, learning more about the benefits of biochar, and also learning about amending soil with biochar. Come warm up by the fire and plan on a hands-on experience.
Register in advance for this in-person event at www.ucdwa.org.
Prior to the biochar demonstration, learn about fuels reduction work, best practices for limbing and pruning, and help pile the materials needed for making biochar. This preparatory work party is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 6 from noon to 4 p.m.; sign up for the work party and get more details at www.ucdwa.org.
Participants at both events should wear close-toed sturdy boots, dress for the weather in layers of warm, non-synthetic, heavy clothing, long pants and long sleeves, work gloves and eye protection (extra eye protection and work gloves will be available).
The Winter Workshop Series continues on Jan. 16 at 6 p.m. at the White Salmon Valley Library featuring Matthew Shephard from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation discussing, “More than Flowers: What your Landscape Needs to Support Pollinators.” The final winter workshop will be held on Feb. 19, featuring special guest James Cassidy, Instructor of Soil Science at Oregon State University. Find out more and register at www.ucdwa.org/winter-workshop-series.
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Underwood Conservation District is a non-regulatory state agency providing natural resources, technical support and assistance to residents in Skamania and western Klickitat counties. UCD’s native plant sale begins on-lineon Jan. 2. Visitwww.ucdwa.org/native-plant-sale-programfor details. If interested in a free Wildfire Resilience Assessment of homes, properties, or communities, emailfire@ucdwa.orgor call 509-773-8433.
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