Rob McGriff, district forester with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, will speak during the monthly meeting of the Big Oaks Conservation Society at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Madison-Jefferson County Public Library in Madison.

He will talk about forestry basics and the history of forestry in Indiana. He also will talk about how district foresters can help you make informed decisions about the health of the forest on your own land.

While he was pursuing a degree in forestry from Purdue University, McGriff worked as a student trainee forester at Crane Naval Base and as a classified forest technician for the Indiana Division of Forestry.

After graduation, he worked for the Kentucky Division of Forestry and in 1993 returned to Indiana as a district forester. He currently serves as the district forester for Bartholomew, Decatur and Jennings counties while concurrently managing Selmier State Forest in Jennings County.

The Big Oaks Conservation Society is the nonprofit support group of the Big Oaks National Wildlife Refuge. Members work closely with refuge staff to enhance public awareness, use and appreciation for the natural and cultural assets unique to the refuge. The society also maintains and manages Old Timbers Lodge, a historic structure nestled on a bluff overlooking Graham Creek on the northern portion of the property.

The society meets on the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the library in Madison.