Session 2 – March 30, 2026 (Online)

San Juan Forest Stewardship Coached Planning Course

Agenda

Review and Intro

12:00 – 12:10 p.m.

Forest Development

12:10 – 1:10 p.m.
Kevin Zobrist (WSU Extension)

Break

1:10 – 1:20 p.m.

Forest Development (continued)

1:20 – 1:40 p.m.

Intro to Current Use

1:40 – 2:05 p.m.
Kevin Zobrist (WSU Extension)

Other Opportunities

2:05 – 2:30 p.m.
Kevin Zobrist (WSU Extension)

Speaker Contact Info:

Kevin Zobrist – WSU Extension: 425-231-4524, kevin.zobrist@wsu.edu

Learn More and Work on Your Plan

Recommended Activities

  1. Look at the orthophoto of your property and try to identify unique “stands” that are present. Give each stand a name, draw a simple map showing approximate boundaries (you can draw the boundaries directly on your orthophoto if you like), and estimate the acreage of each stand. Don’t make your stands too small! If you get stuck on this, ask your course instructor for assistance or work with your site visit forester on this during your site visit.
  2. Walk your property to verify what you’ve identified on the map. For each stand, note as much of the following information as possible:
    1. What tree species are present? What are the predominant species in the stand?
    2. What size are the trees? (e.g., seedling, sapling, pole, saw-timber)
    3. What is your estimate of the stocking (density) of the stand? Does it seem adequately stocked, under-stocked, over-stocked?
    4. What are some other defining characteristics of the stand? (e.g., steep, wet, etc.).
    5. What is the understory like in each stand?
  3. Using the General Property Description Examples (PDF) as a guide, give each stand a name or number and write a very short (no more than a sentence or two) general description for each of them. You do not need to include a lot of detail – that will come later in the course when you work on the forest inventory section. Add your brief stand descriptions to the end of your general property description section that you began last week and finish that section of your plan.
  4. Note what stage of development your stands are in and think about what that means for different objectives like wildlife, forest health, aesthetics, etc.

    5. Recommended publications for further learning

    1. Forest Ecology in Washington
    2. Identifying Mature and Old Forests in Washington
    3. Designated Forestland in Washington State

    Connect Online

    Check out these additional resources that are available to you online:

    1. Look at your county assessor’s website for information about current use in your county.