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Natural Resources

Program Contact: Sean Alexander, Extension Forester
509-680-0358 • sean.alexander@wsu.edu


Northeastern Washington Forest Stewardship Coached Planning Courses

A forestry class for property owners

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.

Call for current class availability

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.

forestry.wsu.edu/northeast-region


Online Forest Owners’ Winter School

Feb. 27th, 2021

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

This event will be an online webinar.

Forest Owners Winter School sponsored by:

  • Washington State University Extension
  • Washington Dept. of Natural Resources
  • Family Forest Foundation
  • Washington Farm Forestry Association
  • USDA Forest Service
  • USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

The Forest Owners Winter School is a hands-on, interactive educational event for families who own forestland in Washington.

  • Get practical, “how-to” advice on simple stewardship practices
  • Talk with agency and natural resource professionals from Eastern and Western Washington who are available to assist you in meeting your family’s goals
  • Virtually meet other landowners (maybe a neighbor!)
  • Get your forestry questions answered at the resource center

There will be a resource area featuring exhibitors, vendors, and displays by public, private, and nonprofit organizations that provide products and services to assist landowners. 

Session topics include:

  • Forest Health
  • Common noxious weeds and their controlling class
  • Fish and Wildlife Habitat
  • Wildfire
  • Forest Soils
  • Timber Markets
  • Agroforestry
  • Landowner assistance programs (technical and financial assistance)
  • Working with a land trust
  • Silviculture
  • Tree planting and care
  • Landowner roundtable: Stories from the woods and tips and tricks
  • Working with consulting foresters and the realities of selling timber

Download brochure and registration form here: 2021 Forest Owners Winter School Brochure


Past Events

Ties to the Land: Succession Planning for Landowners

February 3, 2018

8:30 am to 4:00 pm

Do you own and care for farm, forest, or ranch land?
If so, you probably have strong feelings about leaving your land in good condition for the future. Succession Planning—the human side of Estate Planning—focuses on ways to maintain family ties to the land from generation to generation, building awareness of key challenges facing family businesses, and motivating families to address those challenges.

 

 

2018 Ties to the Land – Colville– brochure

Register Early!
Enrollment in this course is limited to 30 families and is first-come, first-served!
Is your family spread across the state?
Ties to the Land is also being offered at other locations around the state.

Program
Working as a family, you will receive information about legal and economic aspects of transferring your farm, forest, or ranch lands from one generation to the next. This workshop is a mix of presentations and practical exercises to help families develop techniques needed to address tough issues.
Registration fee: $50 per family or ownership

Materials

Ties to the Land is an award-winning curriculum developed by leading estate planning experts at Oregon State University Extension and the Austin Family Business Program.

Each family will receive a Ties to the Land work-book & companion DVD, which are designed to help families continue to improve and direct their communications and planning at home.

Workshop Location

February 3, 2018
8:30 am – 4:00 pm
WSU Stevens County Extension

986 S. Main, Suite D
Colville, WA 99114

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