Summer 2024 Intensive Western Washington Online Forest Stewardship Coached Planning Course

A forestry course for property owners

Your Land. Your Trees. Your Goals.

Natural beauty, wildlife, ecosystem health, harvest income, family ties, privacy, and peace and quiet are some of the many reasons people value their forested property. Whatever your values and objectives are, this comprehensive, university-based forestry class will help you get the most out of the land you love. Whether you have just a few wooded acres or a larger forest tract, if you have trees on your property, this class is for you.

Topics covered include:

How do you know if your trees are healthy? What should you do if they aren’t?
Are characteristics of your property attracting or repelling the wildlife you enjoy? What can you do if wildlife cause damage?
Are there certain trees you should always keep or remove? How do you cut trees without damaging your land?
What types of trees do you have? Does your forest look like a “mess”?
How do you know if your trees need to be thinned, and how do you go about it?
How do you identify and mitigate fire risks?
Are invasive and noxious weeds taking over your underbrush? What are the risks and what can you do about it?
What kind of soil do you have and how does that affect what grows?
Can you successfully generate income from harvesting timber? How do you work with loggers?
How do you increase biodiversity and foster old growth type forest conditions??

You might save money, too!

As part of this class we will “coach” you in the writing of your own simple forestry plan that may help otherwise qualifying landowners enroll in conservation cost-share grant programs or current use property tax reductions.

When and Where

Maximize your time with our summer intensive course

Your time is valuable. We are going to give you everything you need to know about stewarding your property in three weeks, packed with all the same great educational content as our longer courses!

The morning class sessions will be 8:30 to 11:00 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays July 8 – 25, 2024

In lieu of a class field trip, enrollment in this course includes admission to the Western Washington Forest Owners’ Field Day, Saturday, July 27, 2024.

Location

Online – These courses will be offered via live, interactive webinars. A high-speed internet connection is needed. You can access the webinars with your computer or mobile device. Access instructions will be provided prior to the class.

Cost and Registration

What’s Included:

Nine live webinars taught by the state’s recognized experts
A digital library of reference materials and how-to guides
A copy of the book Native Trees of Western Washington
A consultation site visit to your property from a state service forester (western Washington properties only)

Cost: $150 per household

The registration deadline is 5:00 p.m. Friday, June 21, 2024.
Space is limited and is first-come, first-served. The online courses always sell out early.
Cancellation requests must be received by 5:00 p.m. Monday, June 10, 2024 to be eligible for a refund. Eventbrite processing fees are non-refundable. Cancellations of mail-in registrations may be subject to a $10 processing fee.

Space is limited and is first-come, first-served. Online classes always sell out very early. No refunds within 30 days of the course start date. Eventbrite processing fees are non-refundable.

Registration

The registration process includes 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).

Registration is now closed

Acknowledgements and Accommodations

This program is an educational partnership between Washington State University Extension Forestry and the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This Program is made possible in part by funding from Island County, King Conservation District, King County, Pierce County, San Juan County, San Juan Islands Conservation District, Snohomish Conservation District, Snohomish County Surface Water Management, 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 and special needs who contact Quinn Merrick at least three weeks prior to the event

Class Handouts

Visit the Online Coached Planning Handouts page to download copies of course handouts and presentation slides. A password will be provided in course to access this page.