Announcements, News, and Other Events

Washington State University Extension Forestry

September 20- November 17, 2021

Coached Planning for Northeast Washington. Hybrid model, in person and remote (subject to COVID rules)

The Coached Forest Stewardship Planning Short Course is an edu­cational opportunity for owners of family forests in Washington. The informational, hands-on, practical approach of this program will enable landowners to learn useful informa­tion about their natural resources. The program is open to all persons. Participants will be able to author their own Forest Stewardship Man­agement Plan with guidance and “coaching” from natural resource professionals.

This nine-week program is designed to help private landowners identi­fy their goals and aspirations for their forestland. The course covers a range of topics from wildlife habi­tat, wildfire preparation, timber har­vesting, and many other specialized topics. Stewardship plans will meet the standards and requirements for a designated forest tax benefits plan, American Tree Farm cer­tification, and state and federal financial assistance programs.

Information at https://forestry.wsu.edu/northeast-region/

Washington Tree Farm Program

2021 Washington Tree Farmer of the Year Award Ceremony

August 17, 2021, at 5:45 p.m. at the Salzer Tree Farm located at 196 Reinke Road, Centralia, Washington. The twilight tour will begin at 6 p.m.

For more information, contact info@watreefarm.org

The Washington Tree Farm Program is also offering a series of presentations for landowners in both Western and Eastern Washington.

Westside Theme: Stand Dynamics September 10, noon-2 p.m.: Join a live webinar presentation with Dr. Mark Swanson from Washington State University presenting on early-stage forests, how they form, their importance to plant and animal communities, and management strategies to create and protect them. He will be followed by Dr. Connie Harrington with the U.S. Forest Service, who will discuss thinning strategies in older stands, deciding between uniform thinning or alternatives like variable density thinning, and their effects on the trajectory of a forest. September 11, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. An opportunity to tour two tree farms: B & D in Chehalis and Wild Thyme in Oakville. Additional tour details will be provided the week before the tour date. Eastside Theme: Disturbance Fundamentals September 9, 6-8:30 p.m.: Jack Nisbett will discuss the natural history of Eastern Washington and the effects of disturbance regimes on the landscape. September 16, 6-8:30 p.m.: Melissa Fischer will discuss the understanding of biotic and abiotic disturbances, followed by David Peterson discussing salvaging timber considerations after a disturbance. September 23, 6-8:30 p.m.: Dr. Jessica Halofsky will discuss climate change impacts and then Carolyn Kelly and Mike Norris will discuss prescribe fire and smoke issues. For more detailed information and to register, visit www.watreefarm.org/events.