Providing you the tools to be an expert of your own forest

The “Coached” Forest Stewardship Planning Shortcourse is an educational opportunity for owners of family forests in Washington. The informational, hands-on, practical approach of this program will enable landowners to learn useful information about their natural resources. The program is open to all persons. Participants will be able to author their own Forest Stewardship Plan with guidance and “coaching” from natural resource professionals.

Topics include:

• Identification of management goals and steps to accomplish objectives
• How to write a Forest Management Plan
• How to map and describe your property
• How to assess risk and improve forest health
• How forests develop, change, and respond to
  disturbance
• How to plant and care for a young forest
• How to harvest timber sustainably
• Forestry resource inventory, tools, and
  measurements
• Using and marketing special forest products
• Wildlife habitat identification and enhancement
• Native plant identification and weed control
• Forest soils and fertility
• Streams, wetlands, and water quality
• How to assess and reduce wildfire risk and
  damage
• Understanding cultural resources
• Enhancing aesthetic and recreational
  opportunities
• Where to go for help and additional resources

Course Outcomes – Deliver completed Forest Management Plan eligible for:

• Course participants will complete a multi-resource Forest Management Plan for their property. Plans approved by the WA Dept. of Natural (DNR) qualifies you to have your property recognized as a Washington State “Stewardship Forest,” and allows you to apply for cost-sharing assistance for plan implementation.
• Upon request, participants will get on-the-ground, personalized consultation by a DNR Stewardship Forester and/or Wildlife Biologist to discuss management plan development and implementation.
• Submit the plan to the local county assessor to be considered for reduced “current use” property tax rates.
• With your plan, become CERTIFIED by the American Tree Farm System.

When and Where?

This course is for owners of land located in Eastern Washington. The course will be offered on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 – 9:00 PM, October 13 – December 15th (No class Thanksgiving week).

Online

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, these courses will be offered via live, interactive webinars. A high-speed internet connection is needed. Dial-up will not work. You can access the webinars with your computer or mobile device. Access instructions will be provided prior to the class.

Cost and Registration

Cost: $60

We know this is a difficult time financially for many people. Because of this, we have pulled together some additional funding to allow us to drop the normal price per household/ownership course fee down to $60.

Space is limited and is first-come, first-served. Online classes always sell out very early. No refunds within one week of the course start date. Eventbrite processing fees are non-refundable.

Registration

If registering as a family from the same household/ownership, only do one registration for all of you–do not do separate registrations for individual family members.

The registration process is through Eventbrite and includes required short questionnaire. If you have forested property, please make sure you have your property information ready before you start the registration process, including acreage and county parcel number(s).

Acknowledgements and Accommodations

This program is made possible by a partnership between Washington State University Extension Forestry, the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the USDA US Forest Service State & Private Forestry – Cooperative Programs, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the WA Association of Conservation Districts, and the Washington Conservation Commission.  Funding and in-kind support for this program is made possible by generous contributions from Stevens County, the US Forest Service, and the Renewable Resources Extension Act administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities and special needs who contact Sean Alexander at (509) 684-2588 or sean.alexander@wsu.edu at least two weeks prior to the event.

WSU Extension publications contain material written and produced for public distribution. Alternate formats of our educational materials are available upon request for persons with disabilities. Please contact Washington State University Extension for more informationIssued by Washington State University Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture in furtherance of the Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914. Extension programs and policies are consistent with federal and state laws and regulations on nondiscrimination regarding race, sex, religion, age, color, creed, and national or ethnic origin; physical, mental, or sensory disability; marital status or sexual orientation; and status as a Vietnam-era or disabled veteran. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office. Trade names have been used to simplify information; no endorsement is intended.