Small-acreage workshop on May 31

Tree and shrub selection and diseases, water quality, and selecting and planting native grass to reduce erosion are topics at a small-acreage workshop Saturday, May 31, in Laramie.

The workshop is 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the Albany County office of the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service (UW CES) at the Albany County Fairgrounds.

“The workshop is a great opportunity for folks trying to decide what trees to plant that will survive Laramie’s adverse weather,” said Kellie Chichester, UW CES educator for Albany and Carbon counties. “It will also be an opportunity to learn about seeding grass to prevent erosion and the proper time to plant. Participants can also visit the grass plots to know what to expect the spring after they have seeded an area.”

– Tree/shrub selection ” Jennifer Hunkins of the Wyoming State Forestry Division will present what types of trees will grow where, discuss various tree problems, pest identification and treatment options.

– Selecting and planting native grasses to reduce erosion ” Martin Curly and Matt Scott, resources specialists with Laramie Rivers Conservation District (LRCD), will present selecting species, seeding timing and planting rates, and how to plant.

Water quality and wellhead protection ” Tony Hoch, manager of the LRCD, will present what a water analysis means, how geology affects water quality, treatment options, well susceptibility and protection practices.

“Participants will hopefully leave with a better understanding of the importance of wellhead protection and how to interpret a water analysis should they ever need one,” said Chichester.

Pre-registration is encouraged. Call (307) 721-2571. The workshop is sponsored by Backyards and Backyards, a project of the Small Acreage Issue Team, LRCD and the CES.