Winter 2027 Online Forest Stewardship Coached Planning Course – Western Washington

This course is now SOLD OUT! Contact Elsa Haun at 425-357-6023 or elsa.haun@wsu.edu to join the waitlist.

A forestry course for property owners

This course is geared toward people with properties in western Washington. There is a separate eastern Washington course available.

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 weekly class sessions will be 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday evenings, January 26 – March 23, 2027.
  • The class sessions will be held online 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 course.
  • The course includes an in-person field trip from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, 2027.

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 western Washington only) to get all your questions answered

Cost and Registration

  • The registration fee is $145.
  • Registration is per family from the same household/ownership. If registering as a family, fill out only one registration for your family — do not do separate registrations for each family member. Registration includes one set of materials.
  • The registration deadline is 5:00 p.m. Friday, January 15, 2027.
  • Space is limited and is first-come, first-served. These courses usually sell out.
  • 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).

Cancellation policy

Cancellation requests must be received by 5:00 p.m. January 15, 2027 to be eligible for a refund. For online registrations, credit card processing fees are non-refundable.

Register

This course is now SOLD OUT! Contact Elsa Haun at 425-357-6023 or elsa.haun@wsu.edu to join the waitlist.

Contact Info

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

Course Resources

Visit the Online Coached Planning Resources page to access course resources, including schedules, worksheets, publications, and samples. A passcode will be provided in class to access this page.

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