Land Steward Field Training

Our Land Steward Field Training is an intensive, hands-on workshop combining theory and practice to give participants a strong grounding in land stewardship work. Participants will learn the challenges and considerations of sustainable land management, while developing knowledge of the urban forest ecosystem. The program will target one section of forested trail in Penn’s Native Acres—a tract of 10 acres dedicated to native plant restoration—as the site for comprehensive improvement.

Light refreshments and water will be provided, but please bring a bagged lunch.

Members $40; non-members $50
Registration is required. Capacity is limited to 30 people.

Rain date is Saturday, April 14.

Schedule:

In the morning, we’ll start indoors with a presentation and workshop exploring land use history of the specific area now stewarded by the Schuylkill Center. Building on an understanding of its ecological disturbance, pest pressure, and succession, participants will head into the field to identify common invasive plants, discuss methods of management and practice removal.

The second part of the day will focus on identification, health assessment, and care of native plants. We’ll take a walk through the long-standing restoration site to observe factors that impact forest canopy health, and discuss how to best steward the forest’s trees and shrubs. We will test out these new skills by assessing trees or shrubs in the improvement area, and then practice our pruning and planting skills.

For the final part of the day, participants will turn their attention to the trails in Penn’s Native Acres. Based on the land use history of our site, participants will build a deeper understanding of our trail system and the challenges involved in its maintenance.

With completion of the Land Steward Field Training workday session, participants become certified Trail Team Members and receive a Schuylkill Center Trail Team t-shirt. Our monthly Restoration Volunteer Workdays address topics from this workshop and offer participants the opportunity to further develop their stewardship skills.