2026 Whidbey Forest Owners Field Day – May 30th

This event has reached capacity and is sold out

A hands-on learning experience for forest and woodland owners

A day in the woods focused on your trees and your goals

Caring for wooded property on Whidbey Island comes with opportunities—and no shortage of questions. Forest health, wildfire risk, wildlife, soils, invasive plants, and long term stewardship decisions all intersect on the ground.

The Forest Owners Field Day is a hands on, outdoor learning experience designed to help forest and woodland owners better understand their property, explore actionable stewardship options, and connect directly with trusted professionals.

Over the years, these field days have helped thousands of property owners just like you reduce risks, avoid costly mistakes, increase enjoyment, and support the long‑term health and direction of their forest. Whether you’re new to forest ownership or have had your property for years, this field day will help you make informed decisions and take next steps with confidence.

What you’ll see and do

The Field Day takes place entirely outdoors and features rotating, small-group sessions led by Extension educators and partner agency professionals. At the Field Day you will have opportunities to:

Look at common forest management challenges and opportunities up close with experts
Learn practical approaches to forest health, wildfire risk reduction, and habitat stewardship
Ask questions in an informal, field-based setting
Explore new ideas, tools, and resources you can apply on your property
Connect with agencies and organizations that support forest owners

Connect with experts and fellow landowners

Throughout the day, Extension faculty, agency staff, and partner organizations will be available to answer questions and share insights based on real world experience. You will also meet lots of like-minded landowners who live near you. This is one of the most valuable parts of the Field Day—time to ask questions, compare experiences, and build connections with both professionals and neighbors.

The Field Day is for everyone

All are welcome. No prior forestry experience is needed. There is no minimum acreage requirement – whether you have just an acre or two, a larger forested tract, or you plan to have a forest in the future and want to know what it involves, you’ll get the answers and connections you need at the Field Day. Youth are welcome. Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities who request accommodation in advance (see below for contact info). WSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination.

About the Field Day

2026 Workshops Offered

Full schedule and class descriptions.

Active enhancement: Habitat piles, surrogate logs, and nest boxes
Forest diseases in western Washington
Forest practices regulations for islands
Land trust forest restoration project snapshots
Measuring trees for forest health monitoring
Native plant walk
Noxious weeds of western Washington forests
Thinning for ecosystem health
Tree planting and site preparation
Understanding and managing forest soils
Wildfire preparedness
Wildlife habitat in the forests and prairies of Whidbey Island

When and Where

The Field Day is Saturday, May 30th, 2026.
Gates and exhibits open at 8:00 a.m.
Field Day sessions run hourly from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The Field Day be held at 1355 Monroe Landing Rd. Oak Harbor WA. Additional location information and driving directions will be provided to registrants closer to the event.
Water, snacks, and portable restrooms will be available on site. Lunch is not provided. Please pack a lunch.

Cost and Registration

The registration fee is $20 per individual or $35 per couple from the same household/ownership.
Youth under 18 may attend at no charge.
Pre-registration is required – registration will NOT be available on site.
Registration deadline is 5:00 p.m. Thursday, May 28th, 2026.
Cancellation requests must be received by 5:00 p.m. May 28th, 2026, to be eligible for a refund. For online registrations, credit card processing fees are non-refundable.

Register online

Online registration is now closed – this event has reached capacity and is sold-out.

Register by mail

Mail-in registrations is now closed.

Contact Info

For questions, additional information, or to request disability accommodation, contact Elsa Haun at elsa.haun@wsu.edu or 425-357-6023 or contact Kevin Zobrist at kevin.zobrist@wsu.edu or 425-231-4524.

Thank you to our partners

This program is an educational partnership between Washington State University Extension and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Funding support is provided by Island County and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources.

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