Library Lines: Learn about how to read your woods at the library
Meet District Forester Jacob Grochkowski, CCF at the library at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 31, and discover the services and programs available to you.
Jacob grew up in Alpena County exploring the mixed conifer swamps of northeast Michigan, and he is glad to be back to serve the region as Presque Isle and Cheboygan Counties’ District Forester. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2017 with a degree in environmental sciences, focusing on policy and forest ecology. He completed his master’s degree in Forestry at the University of Missouri in 2023, where he was the first Buddy Temple Graduate Fellow. His graduate research took him to the Boggy Slough Conservation Area in the Pineywoods forests of East Texas. There he had the opportunity to look at the effects of harvesting, prescribed fire, and herbicide application on forest regeneration, as well as observe wildlife. After his undergraduate and before his graduate education, his work experience included invasive plant and insect management, especially the management of hemlock woolly adelgid. He worked with the Michigan DNR, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, and West Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area. He has a background in small-scale agriculture, and is keenly interested in the role that forest management can play in supporting agricultural producers and building healthy local economies.
Jacob can provide forest management advice, discuss how to read your woods including tree identification, age and health. He can also discuss the Qualified Forest Program. The purpose of the Qualified Forest Program is to encourage private forestland owners to manage their land in an economically and environmentally viable and environmentally sustainable manner. Qualified landowners could receive an exemption from local school operating taxes and/or exemptions from the uncapping of the taxable value of the property in the event of a change in ownership if specific requirements of the program are met.
Learn which species of trees would thrive on your land or if you have specific questions about what is happening to your fruit trees or landscaping trees in your yard, attend this free presentation and ask the expert. All are welcome to attend, registration is not required, refreshments will be served.
Preschool Story Time with Ms. Judy continues every Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. in the Children’s Room. Ms. Judy is a retired preschool teacher and current community educator in American Sign Language. Judy is enthusiastic and full of positive energy. Storytime will include songs, stories and socialization through art and activities. Ms. Judy is looking forward to meeting young ones and their families. Come join the fun.
American Sign Language class with instructor Judy Ryan continues on Tuesdays from 5-6:30 p.m. through Feb. 13. Learn vocabulary, practice signs and build vocabulary. All signing levels are welcome to attend. There is no need to register, simply come to class. If you miss a class, no worries come to the next session when you can. Sign language class is free to attend. Join in on the fun to learn a new way to communicate or sharpen your skills.
Playgroup will meet from 10:30 a.m.-noon Wednesdays through Feb. 21. Playgroup is a great opportunity for parents, caregivers and preschoolers ages zero-five to meet up for fun-focused play together in an engaging and educational setting. Registration is not required.
The Poetry Club will meet at 3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 25. All are welcome to attend. See you at the library!
— Paula Jewell is program director of the Cheboygan Area Public Library.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Library Lines: Learn about how to read your woods at the library
