2021 Forest Owners’

Winter School Recordings

Saturday, February 27th, 2021

The Winter School workshop recordings are up! 

Find the links to the recordings below, and enjoy the Forest Owners’ Winter School at your leisure.

We have also endeavored to respond to any unanswered questions that we couldn’t get to in the live workshops.  You can find the responses to these questions below.

We are still uploading a few recordings and questions, which will be added soon.


Winter School Sessions

Click on the session links to view the workshop recordings from each time period.


Session 1: 9:00 AM — 9:50 AM

Growing shiitake mushrooms on logs

(Kevin Zobrist, WSU Extension Forestry)

See how to grow these gourmet mushrooms on logs in your yard.

View the recording here.

View some additional resources and photos.

Forest soils

(Dave Peterson, Professor, University of Washington)

To really know your property, you should learn about what’s under your trees, including how to find out what type of soil you have, soil properties.

View the recording here.

Wildlife species and habitat

(Ken Bevis, WA DNR)

Learn about the wildlife that call Washington State home, and simple, effective strategies to improve habitat for on your property.

View the recording here.

View the responses to unanswered questions here.

Silvopasture

(Patrick Shults, WSU Extension)

Learn about how trees and livestock can be incorporated together to create productive, sustainable systems.

View the recording here.

Panel — Working with a land trust

(Chris Deforest, Bob & Jane Takai)

Hear from experts on how you can work with land trusts to conserve part or all of your property in perpetuity.

This session was not recorded, but you can find the transcript of questions and answers here.

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Session 2: 10:00 AM — 10:50 AM

Wildfire risk reduction in Western Washington

(Matt Axe, KCD)

Wildfire risk is high in western Washington. Come learn how we can prepare our homes and communities for wildfire events. This webinar will show common high risk situations and provide recommendation that could decrease the chances of a wildfire damaging or destroying our homes and communities.

View the recording here.
Online fire resources

Managing your forest in a changing climate

(Dave Peterson, Professor, University of Washington)

Climate change is expected to affect Pacific Northwest forests, mostly negatively, in future decades. We will review the effects of climate-related stressors, and discuss management practices that can be implemented to ensure long-term sustainability of forest ecosystems and their values.

View the recording here.

Living with beavers

(Michael Bailey, Beavers Northwest)

Beavers are amazing animals but can cause major management conflicts. Learn how to work with beavers to manage your forest.

View the recording here.

Non-timber forest products

(Jason Emsley, WA DNR)

Find out about the plethora of non-timber forest products that you can grow for personal use or commercial sale.

View the recording here.

Panel — Current timber markets

(Tom Westergreen, WFFA, Chris Magruder, Boise Cascade, Bill Turner, Sierra Pacific, Dennis Parent, DRPforestry)

Learn present opportunities for selling timber, what’s in demand and what’s not. Learn the difference between “Delivered vs Stumpage” prices. Learn what questions to ask when selling timber. Exchange perspectives with the panel consisting of a log buyer, a consulting forester, and a tree farmer – all professional foresters.

This session was not recorded, but you can find the transcript of questions and answers here.

Wildfire risk reduction in Eastern Washington

(Guy Gifford, WA DNR)

Wildfire risk is high in eastern Washington—and getting higher—learn to protect your trees and your home.

View the recording here.

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Session 3: 11:00 AM — 11:50 AM

Invasive forest weeds in Western Washington

(Sasha Shaw, King County Noxious Weed Control)

Learn how to identify and control aggressive, non-native plants that damage the local ecosystem.

View the recording here.

View the responses to unanswered questions here.

Western redcedar dieback: what’s happening and how you can help

(Joey Hulbert, WSU Puyallup Research & Extension Center)

Dieback of western redcedar has been observed throughout much of Washington, but more information is needed to identify vulnerable areas. Come hear a summary of the ongoing research and the ways you can help as community scientists.

View the recording here.

Managing for songbirds

(Brian Gilbert, Spokane Community College)

Avian species are highly diverse in the ways they feed, shelter, and reproduce. Songbirds are an especially illustrious group more specifically known as Passerines, such as the Washington State bird, the Northern Goldfinch. Whether you’re an avid birdwatcher or enjoy listening to the singing on your porch in the morning, come learn about common habitats that songbirds enjoy.

View the recording here.

Intro to Forest Practice Rules and Small Forest Landowner Assistance

(Todd Olson, WA DNR)

Forest practice regulations has be intimidating and confusing. Todd Olson will cover the top 5 things landowners ought to know.

View the recording here.

Panel — What services to expect from consulting foresters and selling timber

(Jeff DeBell, Cascade Woodland Design, Dennis Parent, DRPforestry, Brian Vrablick, American Forest Managment)

Thinking about logging? What is your fair share? Is a handshake good enough? There’s much more to a successful timber sale than meets the eye. Speak to professionals about the variety of services that can be expected – from preparing forest management plans, overseeing contractors, and negotiate timber sales in your best interest! Association of Consulting Foresters & Society of American Foresters, Certified Forester™ (Jeff DeBell, CF; Dennis Parent, CF; Brian Vrablick, CF).

This session was not recorded, but you can find the transcript of questions and answers here.

Tree planting and site preparation in Eastern Washington

(Phil Anderson, WA DNR)

Make sure you know how to ensure maximum survival and growth of your plantings.

View the recording here.

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Session 4: 1:00 PM — 1:50 PM

Forest health in Western Washington

(Rachel Brooks, WA DNR)

Every forest has dead and dying trees in it, especially healthy forests. Learn which forest health issues to watch out for, and which you can live with in Western Washington.

View the recording here.

View some additional resources and the responses to unanswered questions here.

Red alder management

(Andy Bluhm & Glenn Ahrens, OSU Extension Forestry)

Is there potential for managing red alder on your land? What do you need to know? This class will cover the latest information on key steps in alder management including stand establishment, tree spacing, pruning, yield, harvesting, and marketing.

View the recording here.

Managing for big game

(Jacob Turner, Mainbeam Consulting)

Recreational hunting is often a primary reason why individuals own forestland, with many forest landowners relying on sustenance hunting as their primary source of meat. In forested mountain areas, common big game animals include deer, elk, and black bear. Discover how you can actively manage your forestland to promote big game habitat.

View the recording here.

Native pollinators in managed forest landscapes

(Rachel Zitomer, Oregon State University)

Rachel Zitomer (a graduate student at Oregon State University) will provide a basic overview of insect pollinator biology and recent research on pollinator habitat associations in forested landscapes of the Pacific Northwest.

View the recording here.

View the responses to unanswered questions here.

Landowner Roundtable — I would have done things differently… I wish somebody would have told me about…

Meet and chat! Share experiences, advice, and commiserations with your fellow small-forest landowners.

This session was not recorded, but you can find a selection of questions asked and answered here.

Tree planting and site preparation in Western Washington

(Matt Provencher, WA DNR)

Make sure you know how to ensure maximum survival and growth of your plantings.

View the recording here.

View the responses to unanswered questions here.

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Session 5: 2:00 PM — 2:50 PM

Forest health in Eastern Washington

(Melissa Fischer, WA DNR)

How common drivers of disturbance, such as wildfire and drought, affect the health of forests in eastern Washington. Disturbance topics will include both insects (i.e. bark beetles) and pathogens (i.e. root diseases).

View the recording here.

Hardwood management

(Glenn Ahrens, OSU Extension Forestry)

Hardwoods make up about 15% of the forest in western Washington. This class will cover basic biology, management, and benefits of major species including red alder, bigleaf maple, black cottonwood, white oak, and madrone.

View the recording here.

Invasive forest weeds in Eastern Washington

(Dale Whaley, WSU Extension)

Learn how to identify and control aggressive, non-native plants that damage the local ecosystem.

View the recording here.

View responses to unanswered questions here.

Native American uses of the land

(Ray Entz, Kalispel Tribe Dir. Wildlife & Terrestrial Resources)

Learn about historical Native American land use, and how the tribes of Washington shaped its ecology.

View the recording here.

Landowner Roundtable — The best tools I’ve ever owned

Come share you favorite tools an tricks! Bring your favorites to show off to other landowners over Zoom.

This session was not recorded, but you can find a selection of questions asked and answered here.

Landowner Assistance

(Todd Olson & Rob Lionberger, WA DNR, & Josh Himsl, NRCS)

Find out what the WA DNR and NRCS can do to help you manage your forest.

View the recording here.

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Acknowledgements

This program is made possible in part by funding support from Washington State University, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Island County and WSU Extension Island County, King Conservation District, King County, Lewis County, Pacific County, San Juan County, Skagit County, Stevens County, Snohomish Conservation District, USDA Forest Service, and the Renewable Resources Extension Act.

Logos of: Washington State University, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Island County and WSU Extension Island County, King Conservation District, King County, Lewis County, Pacific County, San Juan County, Skagit County, Stevens County, Snohomish Conservation District, USDA Forest Service, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, and the Renewable Resources Extension Act.