Forest Service to share the importance of oak trees in June 25 presentation

On Tuesday, June 25, the U.S. Forest Service will host a presentation on “Oaks — The Trees of Life” as part of the Bedford Outdoors Series. Join speaker Judi Brown, coordinator for Let the Sun Shine In — Indiana, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Hoosier National Forest office at 811 Constitution Ave., Bedford, as she highlights the many benefits that oak trees provide to wildlife, the forest ecosystem and people. Doors will open at 5:30 and visitors may shop in the nature store or purchase maps and federal passes prior to the presentation.

Touted as one of the most important trees for wildlife, oaks (in the genus Quercus) are in decline across the eastern U.S. Many are disturbance-dependent and will need intervention if they are to remain. Several organizations have formed a collaboration known as "Let the Sun Shine In" because that is exactly what oaks need to germinate and grow successfully.

Brown will share information on how we can work together to keep them as part of our forest ecosystem in Indiana.

Participants are asked to reserve a seat (space is limited) by contacting Autumn Ray, Bedford Parks Department, at 812-275-5692 by June 24. The presentation will also be livestreamed on the Hoosier National Forest Facebook page @hoosiernf.

The Bedford Outdoors Series is hosted in collaboration by Bedford Parks Department, Purdue University Extension, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lawrence County Soil & Water Conservation District, Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, and USDA Forest Service, Hoosier National Forest. Programs are scheduled monthly on the fourth Tuesday (except December).

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Forest Service shares why oaks are important in June 25 Bedford program