2026 Steve Stinson Legacy Field Day – Toledo, August 22nd

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 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.

    • Afforestation and reforestation
    • Basic forest measurements
    • Cowlitz Ridge Tree Farm property tour (1.25-mile walk)
    • Cowlitz Ridge Tree Farm property tour (2.5-mile walk)
    • Forest diseases and insects
    • Forest soils – rainfall simulator
    • Introduction to chainsaw maintenance and safe use
    • Native plant walk
    • Noxious weeds: ID and best practices for weed management in small forestry
    • Riparian buffers: Their importance and management advice
    • Root disease
    • Saw milling – milling and marketing your logs
    • Seedling selection, handling, and planting
    • Shiitake mushroom log production
    • Tapping into bigleaf maple
    • Thinning for ecosystem health
    • Wildfire preparedness for home and forest
    • The birds in your forest
    • Wildlife habitat enhancement
    • Wildlife species and their habitats
    • Working with a consulting forester
    • Writing your forest story

    When and Where

    • The Field Day is Saturday, August 22nd, 2026
    • Gates and exhibits open at 8:00 a.m.
    • Field Day sessions run hourly from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
    • The Field Day location will be at Cowlitz Ridge Tree Farm, 519 Collins Rd, Toledo, WA 98591.
    • Water, snacks, and portable restrooms will be available on site.
    • A lunch is available for $15 each and must be ordered in advance.

    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, August 20th.
    • Cancellation requests must be received by 5:00 p.m. August 20th, 2026, to be eligible for a refund. For online registrations, credit card processing fees are non-refundable.

    Register online

    Registration is now closed.

    Register by mail

    Mail-in registration is now closed.

    Additional Information

    Contact Info

    For questions, additional information, or to request disability accommodation, contact Elsa Haun at elsa.haun@wsu.edu or 828-636-0772.

    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 the Family Forest Foundation and the
    Washington State Department of Natural Resources.