BEMIDJI, Minn. – A natural resources presentation entitled “Woody Biomass Harvesting Guidelines for Forest Lands and Brushlands in Minnesota” is scheduled for 3 to 4 p.m. Monday, June 16, at the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation.

This Bemidji Area Natural Resources Continuing Education Consortium presentation, which is open to the public and free of charge, will be held at the CRI’s off-campus facility located at 3801 Bemidji Avenue North.

Presenting will be Dick Rossman, forestry regional specialist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry and part-time staff for the Minnesota Forest Resources Council. His presentation will review the process used to develop woody biomass harvesting guidelines for forest lands and brushlands in Minnesota as well as briefly covering some of the main issues and contents of the guidelines. Copies of the biomass guidelines will be available for attendees.

“The development of sustainable biomass harvesting guidelines for forest management and brushland management was mandated by the 2005 Minnesota Legislature,” Rossman said. “Minnesota was the first state in the nation to develop biomass harvesting guidelines, and the guidelines have been very popular among other states currently working on their own.”

The presentation is designed to be of interest to land resource managers and private forest landowners as well as individuals who may be involved in or have an interest in the harvest of biomass for energy.

The talk is part of an on-going series of Bemidji Area Natural Resources Continuing Education Consortium presentations, usually offered on the third Monday of each month. Groups helping organize the natural resources consortium include the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; the Chippewa National Forest; the Leech Lake Division of Resource Management; Ainsworth; and the Red Lake Reservation.

The CRI is an off-campus facility operated by BSU designed to increase collaboration between the University, business and industry and other sectors of the region.

Individuals who wish to be added to a mailing list for the series or have questions should contact the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation at (218) 755-4900; toll free, (888) 738-3224; email, cri@bemidjistate.edu.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
June 16 – 3-4 p.m. – Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation hosts Bemidji Area Natural Resources Continuing Education Consortium presentation, “Woody Biomass Harvesting Guidelines for Forest Lands and Brushlands in Minnesota.” Presenter: Dick Rossman, forestry regional specialist for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry. Location: CRI; 3801 Bemidji Ave. N.; Bemidji, Minn. Cost: free. For information: (218) 755-4900; (888) 738-3224; http://www.cri-bsu.org.