Landowner Learning: 2019 Series

A series of educational sessions designed for landowners and others interested in a variety of forestry and land management topics and skills. Sign up for any events in the series!

Online Registration

GPS mapIntro to GPS and Online Mapping

Thursday, January 17, 2019
6:00-9:00 p.m.

Space limited to 10 participants
$10-Outdoor U Members and Avon Hills landowners; $20-All others

Participants will learn how to mark waypoints and tracks in the field with a Garmin GPS receiver followed by how to download waypoints and tracks from GPS and overlay on aerial photos in Google Earth and Google Maps.


winter treesWinter Tree and Shrub Identification

Saturday, February 9, 2019
1:00-4:00 p.m.

Space limited to 20 participants
$10-Outdoor U Members and Avon Hills landowners; $20-All others

In order to care for your woodland the best way possible, plant identification skills are essential. Learn the tools you need to help you identify Minnesota’s trees and shrubs in the winter.


maple syrup collectionMaple Syrup Production 101 for Landowners

Saturday, March 9, 2019
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Space limited to 20 participants
$10-Outdoor U Members and Avon Hills landowners; $20-All others

Have you ever wanted to try making maple syrup at home? Participants in this class will learn how to identify sugar maple trees in winter, tap a tree, and collect and cook sap to the finished product.


father and daughter hikingIt's Your Legacy: A landowner's guide to conservation-based estate planning

Saturday, April 13, 2019
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Space limited to 10 families
$150/family-Outdoor U Members and Avon Hills landowners; $160/family-All others
* First four family-members included in price. Additional family members charged $20 each.
* Lunch and refreshments included.

Having a shared vision for your property will help guide your decisions around the legal tools used to pass land on to the next generation. Explore the communication process with your family and develop a shared family vision. You will also have the opportunity to discuss with an attorney how you might use different estate planning tools including wills, trusts, and limited liability companies to achieve your goals.


matting an oak tree for deer protectionChoosing the Right Trees for Your Property and Deer Protection Techniques

Tuesday, May 7, 2019
6:00-9:00 p.m.

Space limited to 20 participants
$10-Outdoor U Members and Avon Hills landowners; $20-All others

Learn how to choose the right trees (focusing on native Minnesota tree species) based on soil, amount of sunlight, and landowner objectives. Then learn how to protect new seedlings from deer browse utilizing tubes, cages, and budcapping.


buckthornIdentifying and Managing Invasive Plant Species

Monday, June 17, 2019
6:00-9:00 p.m.

Space limited to 20 participants
$10-Outdoor U Members and Avon Hills landowners; $20-All others

Participants will learn how to identify common and glossy buckthorn as well as exotic honeysuckles. Lessons will also include strategies for control and removal of these species.