CAT SPRING —  A Woodlands, Wildlife and Drought Landowner Workshop will be held Feb. 25 at the Cat Spring Agricultural Society Hall  from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

The event will help educate landowners about woodland resources, identification of critical habitat and possible marketing opportunities, organizers said. It is sponsored by Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Colorado and Austin counties, the Texas Forest Service, Texas Forestry Association and the Houston Zoo.

Special topics such as the endangered Houston toad, oak wilt and prescribed burning will also be discussed.

“Woodlands health should be important to property owners not just from an aesthetic point of view but also from the standpoint of production and sustainability,” said Kara Matheney, AgriLife Extension agriculture and natural resources agent in Colorado County.

She said landowners may consider whether their woodlands act as a buffer for soil and water erosion, have critical habitat for wildlife such as deer, songbirds or the Houston toad, or if they are “an eye sore” that need to be bulldozed or burned.

Three Texas Department of Agriculture continuing education units will be offered to pesticide applicators.  The program is free and will include a meal and refreshments.

People interested in attending should contact the AgriLife Extension office in Colorado County at 979-732-2082 by Feb. 20.

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