2026 Southwest Washington 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’ve taken your field measurements – now what? Learn how to convert your field data to advanced metrics like volume, basal area, quadratic mean diameter, relative density, and stand density index for Douglas-fir dominated stands. You do not need to have attended the field session to participate in this session.

Bark beetles and wood borers in western Washington forests

Instructor: Glenn Kohler, WA DNR
An introduction to the most common bark beetles and wood boring insects that may kill or damage forest trees. Including factors that can lead to increased populations, identification, and management options.

Defoliators and invasive insect pests in western Washington

Instructor: Glenn Kohler, WA DNR
An introduction to the most common defoliating and invasive forest insect pests that may kill or damage trees, such as chewing insects like caterpillars, sucking insects like adelgids and aphids, and non-native threats like spongy moth. Includes factors that can lead to increased populations, identification, and management options. 

Forest regulations 101

Instructor: Lisa Kaino, WA DNR Tom Chandler, WA DNR
DNR’s forest practice program administers a set of rules for forest activities that protect public safety, water quality, and fish and wildlife habitat on state-owned and private forestlands in Washington. Learn more about forestry-related rules and regulation assistance.

Forest roads: design and best management practices

Instructor: Tom Chandler, WA DNR
Come learn the basics of forest road layout and maintenance best management practices.

Introduction to chainsaw maintenance and safe use

Instructor: Jake Rawdin, Pacific Crest Trail Association
This course will focus on maintaining and using a chainsaw safely. The parts and functions of the saw, basics of field maintenance, and an overview of necessary personal protective equipment will be the bulk of the discussion, with some time for left for safely assessing cutting situations and developing cut plans. This course is meant as an introduction to safe chainsaw use, not as a comprehensive guide. Please DO NOT bring your own chainsaw.

Landowner assistance programs

Instructors: Holly Haley and Samantha Lathan, WA DNR, Josh Himsl, USDA NRCS, and Hunter Decker, Clark County
Want to take a walk in YOUR woods with a professional forester and/or wildlife biologist to get free personalized advice on forest health, wildlife habitat, wildfire resilience, commercial viability, resource protection, management strategies and more? Want to learn about ways to significantly reduce your cost for forest management and to get funding to improve forest health? Come learn from a variety of service providers that are from the government and REALLY ARE here to help.

Noxious weeds of Southwest Washington

Instructor: Samantha Lathan, WA DNR
Learn about common noxious weeds found throughout SW Washington, tips and tricks to identify them, and common management practices.

PNW common plant ID

Instructor: Dan Friesz, WA DNR
Learn how to easily identify common trees and shrubs on your property through fun tips and tricks, learn a fun fact or two about each species, and then understand the environmental conditions that allow them to flourish.

Seedling selection and planting

Instructor: Mackenna Milosevich, 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.

Succession planning for forest landowners

Instructor: Elsa Haun, WSU Extension Forestry
Succession planning involves making a plan for the future of your land considering your goals, your family’s needs, and the legal process of property transfer. Learn about how to identify what you value about your land, the factors to consider when planning for the future, and a basic overview of steps you can take to begin the succession planning process. 

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.

Tree measurements for forest health assessment

Instructor: Dan Friesz, WA DNR
Head outside 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.

Variable density thinning

Instructor: Matt Provencher, WA DNR
Learn how to harvest timber in a manner that can develop biodiversity and increase structure and complexity in your forest to accelerate the creation of older forest conditions or various types of wildlife habitat.

Wildfire preparedness for home and forest

Instructor: Jesse Duvall, WA DNR
Learn about what actions landowners can take on their property to prepare for and mitigate impacts from wildfires.

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 3/16/2026

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 201: Noxious weeds of Southwest Washington
  • Room 260: PNW common plant ID
  • Room 261: Introduction to chainsaw maintenance and safe use
  • Room 264: Forest roads – design and best management practices
  • Room 265: Thinning for forest health

Session 2: 10:05 – 11:00

  • Room 201: Noxious weeds of Southwest Washington
  • Room 260: Tree measurements for forest health assessment
  • Room 261: Wildfire preparedness for home and forest
  • Room 264: Wildlife species and their habitats
  • Room 265: Thinning for forest health

Session 3: 11:10 – 12:05

  • Room 201: Seedling selection and planting
  • Room 260: Advanced forest measurements
  • Room 261: Introduction to chainsaw maintenance and safe use
  • Room 264: Wildlife habitat enhancement
  • Room 265: Landowner assistance programs

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 201: Seedling selection and planting
  • Room 260: Supporting pollinators in the forest
  • Room 261: Defoliators and invasive insect pests in western WA
  • Room 264: Wildlife species and their habitats
  • Room 265: Succession planning for forest landowners

Session 5: 2:00 – 2:55

  • Room 201: Shiitake mushroom log production
  • Room 260: Tree measurements for forest health assessment
  • Room 261: Wildfire preparedness for home and forest
  • Room 264: Wildlife habitat enhancement
  • Room 265: Variable density thinning

Session 6: 3:05 – 4:00

  • Room 201: Shiitake mushroom log production
  • Room 260: Supporting pollinators in the forest
  • Room 261: Bark beetles and wood borers in western WA forests
  • Room 265: Forest regulations 101