This summer the Leelanau Conservation District is hosting a new forestry intern, Mary Roth, who will assist District Forester, Kama Ross, with the Forestry Assistance Program (FAP) of the Leelanau, Benzie, and Grand Traverse Conservation Districts.
 
Mary is a Traverse City native who graduated from West Senior High is 2020. She just finished her first year as a forestry student at the University of Vermont. Mary loved learning among the New England forests this year, but is thrilled to be back home in Northern Michigan for the summer.
 
The Forestry Assistance Program aids landowners in the Leelanau, Benzie, and Grand Traverse counties in the management of their woodlands, providing services such as identification of forest diseases and invasive species and their control options, information on state and federal forestry cost-share and property tax incentive programs, and recommendations on the selection and planting of trees and shrubs for wildlife habitat, timber production, recreation, and other uses. These services are provided free-of-charge, and can help landowners take a more active role in enhancing and restoring their woodlands.
 
With Mary adding another set of hands to the team this summer, the Forestry Assistance Program is ready to help landowners with free, on-site and in-office technical assistance with their woodlands. Landowners who would like to get involved or learn more about these services can visit www.leelanaucd.org, or contact Kama or Mary at 231-256-9783.