Hi all,

First, I want to thank Ella for distributing the link of our woodlot survey to this network--just another example of how she always goes above and beyond the call of duty to help our communities! Thanks Ella!!

Second, please send any comments you may have about the study to me at chad.pierskalla@mail.wvu.edu rather than Ella. She has been redirecting them to me up to this point. I would like to answer a few of those unanswered questions that were asked:

+This is an empirical study that adopts a convenient sampling method. The survey was based on a similar study conducted by Oregon State University and input from our students. This is a visitor study and is seeking input from those that have used the woodlot for recreation. However, we will also invite input from interested non-users in the near future. Specifically, we will send out an invitation to everyone on this list to attend a public meeting that will be scheduled for the last week of April, so please stay tuned. Study results will also be presented at that meeting.

+The survey was intended to be short. But, it is only one of several opportunities to provide input--please stay tuned.

+Your participation is completely voluntary and confidential. We appreciate your support.

+This trail plan effort is being led by the Professional Recreation and Parks Society and supported through several of our RPTR courses (now and in the future). Both Dr. Steve Selin and I are working closely with the students.

+The woodlot is sometimes referred to as Baker's Ridge in the community. Ella already provided some background information. Much more background information will be shared at the public meeting at the end of this semester. I hope you can join us!

All the best,

--Chad Pierskalla

From: Ella Belling <ella@montrails.org>
Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2016 11:42 AM
Subject: Re: Recreation Survey for the University Woodlot

Hi all,

For those of you wondering where and what is the University Woodlot, some of the rest of the story- It has never had good parking and the University has not had a policy for it being open to public but is now considering it. My limited experience with the Woodlot is that most recreational use would be mountain biking and hiking and birding. It does have some forested trails- below is the description from the WVU website and near the end of the survey is a map. Ella

UNIVERSITY FARM WOODLOT

The University Farm Woodlot is a 107-acre tract located adjacent to the Animal Sciences Farm in Morgantown with access from West Run Road. Management was transferred to the Division of Forestry and Natural Resources from the Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences in 1953. Until that time the area had been known as the Stock Farm Woods. The forest includes a mixture of cove hardwoods of various ages and some plantings of exotic confer species such as bald cypress, Norway spruce, and Douglas fir. There are no facilities on this site.

Ella Belling
Executive Director
Mon River Trails Conservancy
P.O. Box 282
Morgantown, WV 26507
http://montrails.org

MRTC - Mon River Trails Conservancy

montrails.org

The Mon River Trails Conservancy (MRTC) is a nonprofit organization that, with the help of Morgantown, Star City, Monongalia County, Preston County, and Marion County ...

304-692-6782

On Mar 15, 2016, at 1:09 PM, Ella Belling <ella@montrails.org> wrote:

Please take this survey if you want to see public recreation at the University Woodlot and share with others…….

The Professional Recreation and Park Society (WVU) is developing a recreation management plan for the University Woodlot, and we need your help. We are conducting this survey to learn about your experiences at the Woodlot and your opinions about how to manage the forest for recreation. The survey is voluntary and confidential. Thank you for your input!

Follow this link to the Survey Or copy and paste the URL below into your internet browser:

http://wvu.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3pKI3sySdbIAa7b