Skykomish Forest Stewardship Coached Planning – Spring 2026

Become the expert your trees need

Your land, your trees, your goals

You value your wooded property for its natural beauty, wildlife, privacy, and peace and quiet. You want to make sure that climate stress, fire, and unwanted pests and diseases don’t derail the future of your forest, but incomplete, inconsistent, and unverified information makes it hard to know what to do, when to do it, or whom to trust. That’s why WSU Extension offers the Forest Stewardship Coached Planning course. Whether you want future old growth, periodic timber income, or just to more fully enjoy your woodland retreat, we turn guesswork into actionable, research-based steps to meet your goals.

More enjoyment, less worry

We have trained thousands of Washington landowners just like you to confidently assess the health of their forest and develop a reliable plan for success. We’ll give you the tools you need to reduce risks, enhance value, avoid costly mistakes, and promote a vibrant, resilient forest so that you have the peace of mind of knowing your property is on the right track for decades to come.

What you’ll learn

  • How to identify the species of trees on your property and monitor their growth
  • Proven strategies to improve forest health and increase wildlife diversity
  • When, why, and how to thin your trees
  • What species of trees and shrubs to plant where
  • Practical steps to reduce wildfire risk to your home
  • Your soil properties and why it matters
  • How to find the right services when you need professional assistance
  • What the qualifications are for property tax reduction and cost share grant programs for forested properties
  • How to write your own forest stewardship plan and receive recognition as a stewardship forest

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, this course is for you.

About the course

When and where

  • The classroom sessions will be 2:00 – 4:30 PM, Thursday afternoons, April 30 – June 25, 2026
  • The class sessions will be held at Sky Artworks, 104 Railroad Ave #151, Skykomish, WA 98288.
  • The course field trip will be 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2026.

What’s included with the course

  • Nine class sessions taught by state and local experts
  • A field trip
  • A digital library of reference materials and how-to guides
  • A native tree book and tree measuring tool
  • A binder of printed course handouts, selected presentation slides, examples, and other resources
  • A consultation site visit to your property from a state or county service forester (properties within Washington State only) to get all your questions answered

Cost and Registration

  • The registration fee is $70.
  • Registration covers up to two adults from the same household/ownership. If registering as a couple, only do one registration for the both of you–do not do two separate registrations. Youth under 18 are welcome and may attend at no additional cost.
  • The registration deadline has been extended to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2026.
  • Space is limited and is first-come, first-served. These courses usually sell out.
  • Cancellation requests must be received by 5:00 p.m. April 23, 2026 to be eligible for a refund. For online registrations, credit card processing fees are non-refundable.
  • The registration process includes a 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).

Register online

Register online via Humanitix. Online registrations are subject to a non-refundable credit card processing fee. Online registration will be open until 5:00 p.m. April 28, 2026 or until the class sells out, whichever comes first.

Register by mail

Mail-in registration is now closed.

Contact Info

For questions or additional information, contact contact Sarah Stewart at 425-738-0103 or sarah.stewart1@wsu.edu or contact Kevin Zobrist at 425-231-4524 or kevin.zobrist@wsu.edu.

Acknowledgements and Accommodations

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

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 who contact Sarah Stewart at 425-554-9858 or sarah.stewart1@wsu.edu prior to the event.

Course Resources

Visit the Skykomish Coached Planning Resources page to download copies of course handouts and presentation slides. A passcode will be provided by email to access this page.

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