MISSOURI TREE FARM DAY SET

COLUMBIA -- Wednesday is Missouri Tree Frm Day.

Missouri's 1,000 or so tree farmers will gather in Columbia April 22 to celebrate the 12th Annual Tree Farm Day. You don't have to be a certified tree farmer to attend. An interest in trees and $20 is all that's needed to participate.

The festivities will begin with early registration from 6:30 to 7 p.m. April 21 at the Columbia Rada Inn. From 7 until 8 p.m., participants will have an informal show-and-tell session to compare notes about forest management. From 8 until 9 p.m., Gary Wilson, coordinator of the Ozark Highlands Global Change Project for the National Park Service, will talk about the potential impact of global climate change on trees. From 9 until 10 p.m. novice tree farmers can attend a special session and learn about services available to help them get started raising trees for profit.

Onof the highlights of the event will be the presentation of the Tree Farmer of the Year Award by Missouri Department of Conservation Director Jerry Presley.

To register for the conference, call Kathy Kroll or Alce Schawo, (314) 882-4038. For more information about the program, call John Slusher, (314) 882-7242.