2026 Puget Sound Forest Owners’ Winter School schedule and descriptions

A hard copy of the descriptions and schedule will be provided when you check in upon arrival.

Class descriptions

Advanced forest measurements

Instructor: Kevin Zobrist, WSU Extension
You measured your trees, so what now? In this classroom-based follow-up to the forest measurements field session, learn how to turn your measurement data into useful statistics that can tell you about the health of your forest, thinning needs, and timber volume (you do not have to have attended the field session to participate in this session).

Alternate plans: an opportunity for novel management

Instructor: Hollis Crapo, WA DNR
Alternate Plans are an avenue for landowners to manage their land in ways that maintain equal resource protection but don’t follow the forest practices rules. DNR’s Regulation Assistance Forester will explain options for alternate plans, what they may accomplish, and how to write one that can get approved.

Aquatic habitats and riparian ecology

Instructor: Landon Shaffer, WA DNR
Focus on riparian areas such as wildlife corridors and water-quality filters. Participants will learn to identify healthy aquatic habitats and plant species that stabilize streambanks and provide shade to keep water cool for fish. We will discuss management strategies, including the role of large woody debris and maintaining diverse native vegetation to support a resilient ecosystem.

Bark beetles and wood borers in western Washington forests

Instructor: Dan Omdal, WA DNR – Now only offered 3:05 – 4:00 PM due to instructor illness.
Some bark beetle species in western Washington can kill healthy trees, depending on stand conditions and weather events. But at low levels, they’re more likely to just attack dead and dying trees, along with larger wood borers. Learn how to identify these beetles, manage their impacts, and assess risk in your forest land.

Basic forest measurements

Instructor: Balin Miller, GRC Student
Head outside to a forest on the Green River College campus to learn how to measure things like diameter, height, and density to help quantify what you have and identify needs and opportunities based on your objectives. Tools will be provided. The data gathered will be used in the advanced forest measurements session later in the day.

Common root diseases of westside conifers

Instructor: Dan Omdal, WA DNR
Beneath the forest floor, root diseases act as powerful disturbance agents that shape forest communities. Here we will learn to recognize key signs and symptoms of these diseases in the field and discuss practical options for managing and mitigating root disease impacts.

Common defoliating insects in western Washington forests

CANCELLED DUE TO INSTRUCTOR ILLNESS

Engaging youth in the forest

Instructors: Alyssa Bowers, Nancy Baskett, and Aspen Dobbins, WSU Ext. 4-H
Discover how to turn the forest into an outdoor classroom by mastering the basics of experiential learning. This session will equip participants with hands-on techniques to spark youth curiosity and foster a connection to forestry by doing a basic orienteering lesson.

Forest health research updates and opportunities in western WA

Instructor: Joey Hulbert, WSU Puyallup Research and Extension Center
Attend this session to hear updates on forest health research in western Washington. It will highlight research programs studying forest health issues and provide updates on sooty bark disease, western redcedar dieback, and sword fern die-off. The session will also share opportunities to get involved in research and contribute from your own homes.

Forest roads: design and best management practices

Instructor: Hollis Crapo, WA DNR
Forest roads are integral lifelines of our forest management. Come learn the basics of forest road layout and maintenance best management practices.

Invasive forest weeds

Instructor: Sarah Stewart, WSU Extension Forestry
Learn about common forest weeds and how to manage them. This session will include plant ID tips and demonstrations on how to control common invasive plants.

Native trees and shrubs for restoration, resilience, and wildlife

Instructor: Shelley Pasco, GRC Student
This session explores the intentional selection and placement of native trees and shrubs to support forest restoration, climate resilience, and wildlife habitat in Western Washington. Learn practical, site-based strategies for using native woody plants to build healthier, more adaptable forests.

Rust diseases in Washington forests

Instructor: Dan Omdal, WA DNR
An overview of the bizarre life cycle of rust fungi followed by a discussion of rust pathogens found on forest trees. This will include the invasive White Pine Blister Rust and the native Western Gall Rust along with a variety of others.

Seedling selection and planting

Instructor: Matt Provencher, WA DNR
This will be a broad overview of items you will need to incorporate into your reforestation plan to ensure it is successful. This will cover what you need to think about regarding site analysis, stock selection, site preparation, planting, and follow-up.

Shiitake mushroom log production

Instructor: Kevin Zobrist, WSU Extension Forestry
Growing shiitake mushrooms on logs is a millennia-old practice and a great way for forest owners to produce delicious mushrooms from their forest for personal use or even commercial sale. This class will cover the basics of growing shiitakes with best management practices for the Pacific Northwest based on WSU research trials.

Supporting pollinators in the forest

Instructor: Audrey Mechtenberg, USDA NRCS
Many species of bees and butterflies can benefit from engaged forest management. Forest thinning, patch openings, seeding, planting, and other management activities in the forest increases diversity in the understory and creates nesting habitat to support native pollinators.

Thinning for forest health

Instructor: Matt Provencher, WA DNR
Thinning trees can improve tree health and vigor, provide income, create wildlife habitat, and improve biodiversity. Learn why we thin, the advantages of thinning your forest, and some things to watch out for.

Wildfire mitigation on the westside

Instructors: Mike Lasecki (KC DNRP) & Natalia Williams (KCD)
This session will describe what wildfires on the westside historically have looked like, understanding wildfire hazard vs risk, and how to effectively mitigate wildfire risk in a westside forested setting.

Wildlife habitat enhancement

Instructor: Ken Bevis, WA DNR
Everybody likes wildlife, but beyond the basic habitats provided on our land, what else can we do to enable or even encourage wildlife to survive and thrive. Covered topics include habitat piles, log surrogates, nest boxes, and more!

Wildlife species and their habitats

Instructor: Ken Bevis, WA DNR
Ever wonder about the amazing wildlife that lives on your land? This presentation will highlight some of the abundant species in our region and their specific habitat needs to help you know what you have on your property!

Class Schedule – Updated 2/20/2026

Note: the schedule is always subject to last-minute changes due to unforeseen circumstances like instructor cancellation. If updates are necessary, they will be posted here.

Doors open: 8:00

Please check in at the check-in table. Exhibits will be open and refreshments will be available.

Session 1: 9:00 – 9:55

• Room 102: Native trees and shrubs for restoration, resilience, and wildlife
• Room 108: Wildfire mitigation on the westside
• Room 109: Thinning for forest health
• Room 112: Common root diseases of westside conifers
• Room 113: Basic forest measurements

Session 2: 10:05 – 11:00

• Room 101: Wildlife habitat enhancement
• Room 102: Forest roads: design and best management practices
• Room 108: Wildfire mitigation on the westside
• Room 109: Seedling selection and planting
• Room 112: Rust diseases in Washington forests

Session 3: 11:10 – 12:05

• Room 102: Forest health research updates and opportunities in western WA
• Room 108: Aquatic habitats and riparian ecology
• Room 109: Thinning for forest health
• Room 112: Bark beetles – CANCELLED DUE TO INSTRUCTOR ILLNESS
• Room 113: Basic forest measurements

Lunch break: 12:10 – 12:45

Exhibits will be open. If you purchased a lunch, please pick it up at the check-in table.

Session 4: 12:55 – 1:50

• Room 101: Wildlife habitat enhancement
• Room 102: Engaging youth in the forest
• Room 108: Invasive forest weeds
• Room 109: Advanced forest measurements
• Room 112: Common root diseases of westside conifers

Session 5: 2:00 – 2:55

• Room 101: Wildlife species and their habitats
• Room 102: Alternate plans: an opportunity for novel management
• Room 108: Aquatic habitats and riparian ecology
• Room 109: Supporting pollinators in the forest
• Room 112: Common defoliating insects in western WA forests

Session 6: 3:05 – 4:00

• Room 101: Shiitake Mushroom log production
• Room 108: Invasive forest weeds
• Room 109: Supporting pollinators in the forest
• Room 112: Bark beetles and wood borers in western WA forests