Annual Family Forest Owner Field Day Coming to King County

EVERETT, Wash. – Washington State University Extension and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources will present their annual Western Washington Family Forest Owners Field Day in King County for the first time this year.

The daylong event for private forestland owners will feature more than two-dozen hands-on workshops on a variety of forestry topics for all ages and skill levels. The field day is designed to be family friendly, with activities available for children throughout the day.

The field day will be held on Saturday July 31 in the Ravensdale area just east of Maple Valley. The gates will open at 7:30 a.m. with hourly workshops beginning at 8:30 a.m. Exhibits and equipment demonstrations will be ongoing throughout the day.

Among the topics slated for this year’s event are an introduction to forestry for new owners, management of small woodlands, thinning and pruning, Shiitake mushroom cultivation, forest safety and security, and a variety of sessions on forest health and wildlife habitat.  Most sessions will be offered multiple times.

Advance registration received before July 24 is $20 per person or $30 for two or more. Registration on the day of the event is $30 per person or $40 for two or more.

A full barbeque lunch, including a vegetarian option, will be available on Saturday for $10 each, with proceeds benefiting the Green River Community College forestry program students. Please pre-order lunch when you register. Water, refreshments, and portable restrooms will be available throughout the day.

A brochure including the registration form, location details and directions, and a link to the full schedule is available at http://snohomish.wsu.edu/forestry/2010FieldDay.htm or by calling 425-357-6017.

Participants should dress for the weather, wear sturdy footwear, and be prepared to walk short distances in forested terrain.

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