It’s not too late to plan a day in the forest with a special Forestry Field Day planned for Oct. 3 near Atmore.

The event, hosted by the Escambia County Extension Service, will be held at Magnolia Branch, a wildlife preserve managed by the Poarch Band of Creek Indians.

As hosts, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians is extending an invitation to the event for landowners and those who manage leased lands.

Magnolia Branch Wildlife Preserve and the Poarch Band of Creek Indians work at the preserve earned them the prestigious Helene Mosley Memorial Treasure Forest Award for 2012. The award, active since 1977, selects landowners who have gone above and beyond in conducting outstanding multiple-use forest management.

Beau Brodbeck, an agent with the Alabama Cooperative Extension Service, said the day will be one focusing on educating landowners and managers on the uses of a forest.

“The Magnolia Branch forestry field day aims to exhibit what is truly a multi-use forest,” Brodbeck said. “The Poarch Band of Creek Indians have done an outstanding job in managing the Magnolia Branch Wildlife Reserve for uses ranging from camping and recreation to edible native plants and forest products to game and endangered wildlife.

Brodbeck said the day will be filled with information, fun and educational opportunities for anyone interested in outdoor activities.

“The field day will be an excellent opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts including landowners, hunters, and foresters interested in managing forestland for multiple uses,” Brodbeck said. “Attendees will enjoy an outdoor experience touring the 6,500-acre reserve via truck drawn trailers.”

Brodbeck said the day will be full of information with the tour including five educational stops along the way.

“Speakers will address a wide range of multiple use topics with management applications and associated economic considerations,” Brodbeck said. “Tour stops will include managing for native edible forest plants, maintaining or improving water quality, selecting and planting native understory plants, gopher tortoise and box turtle management and longleaf establishment. Expert speakers from a variety of agencies and the professional forestry community will pass on their knowledge and experience through these outdoor demonstrations.”

Registration is free and the day will include an outdoor lunch for those attending the tour, Brodbeck said.

Event and tour hours will be from 8:15 a.m. to 2 p.m. Pre-registration can be completed by contacting the Escambia County Extension Service offices at 867-7760 or by email at kellewi@aces.edu.