MAYTOWN, Wash. – The next Family Forest Owners Field Day is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 18, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. near Maytown, Wash. The location is within driving distance of Thurston, Pierce, King, Lewis, Cowlitz, Pacific, Grays Harbor, Mason, and Kitsap counties, approximately 10 miles south of Olympia off I-5.
Led by recognized experts in forest management, wildlife habitat and other forest stewardship disciplines, this “out-in-the-woods” educational event will provide useful, timely and unbiased information designed to meet the needs of landowners with five or 500 acres, according to Washington State University Extension Forestry Educator Andy Perleberg. Nearly 10,000 forest owners have already benefitted from past Forest Owner Field Days.
The field day is designed to prepare landowners to plan and execute management activities that meet their personal objectives, reduce risks and protect their financial investment.
Participants can choose from a wide variety of classes and activities taught by specialists in forest health, wildlife habitat, weed control, wildfire protection, timber and non-timber forest products, using global positioning systems, chainsaw safety and maintenance and forestland security and safety. A special session also targets west-side owners of forest lands east of the Cascades, offering highlights on managing for healthy forests on the dry side of the mountains.
The presenters will be available to answer questions specific to individual property situation and landowners can sign up to receive site visits from a forester or wildlife biologist. Youth activities will be available all day.
The fee for those who register by Aug. 10 is $20 per person or $30 for a family of two or more. After that date, the fee is $30 per person or $40 per family. An optional BBQ lunch, with proceeds to benefit Lewis and Thurston County FFA programs, will be available for $10 per person. Lunch reservations must be received by August 10.
A brochure with more detailed information, driving directions and the registration form can be found at http://forestry.wsu.edu, or by contacting your local WSU Extension office. Interested forest owners can read about a previous field day at http://bit.ly/LXprO6. For more information contact WSU Extension Forestry Educator Andy Perleberg at 509-667-6540 or by email at andyp@wsu.edu.
WSU Extension, the DNR Forest Stewardship Program, and the Family Forest Foundation are the primary sponsors of the field day.