Forest Stewardship Course for Present and Prospective Forest Landowners

September 11, 2005

Would you (or someone you know) like to better understand your forest, develop goals for its protection and improvement, and produce a management plan to achieve those goals in an ecologically and economically sustainable manner? A workshop and field trip series is being offered to assist family forest landowners in answering this question. The cost of the course is $50 and runs between October 5th and November 2nd, 2005 consisting of five Wednesday evening sessions and two Saturday field trips. The five evening sessions are from 6:30 to 9:30 pm at the Agriculture Center in Eureka in Humboldt County.

The course will include:
* A discussion of landowner goals, regional forest ecology and management history, tree growth and soils.
* You will learn to locate your forest property on maps, identify inventory needs for your forest and begin to develop a Forest Stewardship Plan. You should also come away with a basic understanding of streams, watersheds and roads.
* You will learn how fuels and fire, diseases, pests, and wildlife issues affect forest management decisions. You will use assessment tools for fire risk, pests, wildlife habitat, erosion and stream conditions.
* You will identify common stewardship goals and objectives. You will learn about State and County rules and regulations. You will learn how to choose a professional.
* Economic considerations will be covered. For example, taxes, cost-share and assistance programs. Your assessments will be reviewed and you will identify action items to achieve your objectives.
* During the Saturday field trips you will see and discuss forest practices implemented to achieve a variety of management goals.

For questions or to register, call Yana Valachovic, the Forest Advisor for Humboldt County at 707-445-7351. The registration and payment deadline is September 26th. If you are unable to attend the course, materials may be available through Yana at 707-445-7351.

I welcome responses as well as ideas for future Tree Tips. You can also get an email version by contacting me at thembi@mcn.org.

Thembi Borras is a Registered Professional Forester living and working in Mendocino County, CA USA.