Source: Larry Biles, 785-532-3309, lbiles@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.kansasforests.org/
News release prepared by: Greg Tammen, 785-532-4486, gtammen@k-state.edu
Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012
Forest Service branches out to public with open house in October
MANHATTAN -- Area residents and Kansas State University faculty, staff and students are invited to celebrate the Kansas Forest Service's deep roots in the state.
On Thursday, Oct. 4, this university service will have an open house to celebrate its 125th anniversary. The free event is from 2-6 p.m. at 2610 Claflin Road.
Planned activities and demonstrations during the open house include: touring the greenhouse and shade house seedling production operation; experiencing a 75-year-old Ponderosa Pine plantation; viewing woody biofuels; seeing special tree species in the Forest Service's memorial and honorarium garden; and learning how to properly care for trees.
"Nearly 10 percent of Kansas' landscape is forest and trees," said Larry Biles, state forester. "Approximately one-half of that total was planted because early settlers and their successors wanted, among other things, to moderate the environment."
The Kansas Forest Service was established on March 10, 1887, to encourage and promote forestry practice. In 1909 the state Legislature assigned administrative responsibilities for state forestry to Kansas State University.
Read about the Kansas Forest Service's deep roots in the state at http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/mar12/ksforest31912.html.
