When Roger and Kathy Mitchell moved to Bow from Minneapolis, they became the owners of 24 acres of forest land.
“We really didn’t know what’s best to do with forest land,” Roger Mitchell said.
But a neighbor of theirs, who was once in the same predicament, recommended a forest stewardship class presented by the Department of Natural Resources and Washington State University. The class taught the Mitchells how to manage their land in a way that promotes a healthy forest and to develop a management plan they submitted to DNR.
Beginning March 13, the same class — Forest Stewardship Coached Planning — will be held in Sedro-Woolley at the DNR’s Northwest Region office. The short course is open to forest landowners and others interested in learning how to maintain forest health, protect and enhance wildlife habitat and qualify for tax-breaks — among other various forest management topics.
The forest stewardship program is about helping landowners meet their objectives for their forest while keeping it healthy and productive, said John Keller, a forest stewardship coordinator for DNR who helps run the program.
Keller said the class is ideally suited for landowners with about 20 to 80 acres of forest land interested in learning how to manage their forest. In the past, participants have ranged from owning five to 500 acres, but more options will open up for participants if they own at least 20, he said.
Sometimes the art and science of managing a forest is not intuitive, Keller said. The purpose of the course is to identify the goals and objectives of the owner’s forest land and to help participants develop a plan to reach it, said Kevin Zobrist, a WSU forest stewardship educator who runs the course with Keller. Meeting a forest objective doesn’t happen by itself, Zobrist said.
“Forests are extremely dynamic,” Zobrist said. “Mother Nature will take it in the direction she chooses, and that may not fit with the landowner’s objective.”
Different participants take the course for various reasons, but Zobrist said he thinks almost everyone attends to learn how to see the forest in different ways.
Throughout the nine-week course, participants learn about the challenges of forest management from ecology to cultural resources.
The class also includes learning about responsible harvesting as well as fish and wildlife protection. Guest speakers from various agencies will present at the classes to help educate owners about the different topics.
In addition, a Saturday field trip is provided and each participant receives a map of their property and an on-site visit to assist with their forest management plan, Keller said.
One of the most common comments Zobrist said he has received from participants is that they had no idea how much they didn’t know about their forest.
“In some cases, it’s the first time people have come out and seen their property,” Zobrist said. “Often people think at first (their forest) is fine, and a closer look shows forest health problems.”
Roger Mitchell said he and his wife benefited from the course as they learned new facts about maintaining a healthy forest. When they first moved to their property, they were reluctant to cut any trees down for any reason. But the class taught them that selective thinning can lead to better forest health.
Roger said the couple got over their reluctancy and realized it was OK to cut the trees down, as it eventually resulted in a healthier forest. Roger said he and his wife also received a great education on wildfire.
The knowledge acquired about wildfire led them to become volunteer firefighters as well as start a neighborhood effort to become “fire wise.”
“The class is just extremely informative, no matter what level of knowledge you enter the program with,” Roger said.
The program is held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays from March 13 to May 8. Tuition is $150 per family or ownership and includes all course materials. Registration is currently open and early registration is encouraged as limited space is available.
For more information call Kevin Zobrist at 425-357-6017 or e-mail at . Information is also available at snohomish.wsu.edu/forestry/.
Local forest landowners can learn about land management
Submitted Photo
University of Washington Ecologist Dave Peterson (front) uses a soil pit to help teach forest stewardship participants about the layers and properties of forest soils. Photo submitted by Kevin Zobrist.
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