EVERETT, Wash. — Washington State University Extension and the Washington Department of Natural Resources Forest Stewardship Program are once again offering a popular coached planning forest stewardship course.
It’s called “coached planning” because much of the training focuses on coaching participants as they develop their own personalized stewardship plan for their forestland. For many, the plans may be used to apply for significant reductions in current use property taxes. The course is appropriate for all private forest owners whether their objectives are aesthetic, recreational or to generate income.
This popular nine-week course will only be offered twice in the north Puget Sound area this year.
The first course will be held on Mondays beginning Jan. 28 and running through Mar. 24. Classes will meet from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. plus one Saturday TBA at Peace Lutheran Church, 1717 Larson Road in Silvana.
The second course will be held on Thursdays beginning Mar. 13 and running through May 8. Classes will meet from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. plus one Saturday TBA at the Skagit County Extension office, 11768 Westar Lane, Suite A, in Burlington.
The cost for the course is $150 per family or ownership and includes all course materials. Because class size is limited early registration is encouraged.
With an approved forest stewardship plan comes recognition as a Stewardship Forest, eligibility for state cost-share assistance, and qualification to become a Certified Forest under the American Tree Farm System.
For more information or to register for either course contact Kevin Zobrist at 425/357-6017 or kzobrist@wsu.edu. Information is also available at http://snohomish.wsu.edu/forestry/forestryevents.htm