Beginning Friday, Sept. 5, central Washington landowners can learn how to plan a safe and prosperous future for their woodland through an online course hosted by WSU Extension.
The upcoming Kittitas County Online Coached Planning Shortcourse helps owners know whether their forests are healthy, understand timber sales, mitigate risks like wildfire and pests, and enhance wildlife habitat.
“This is a great opportunity for Washington forest owners to invest in the long-term health of their land,” said Joshua Cardin, WSU Extension Forestry Program Coordinator for eastern Washington.
Held at 5:30 p.m. on Fridays through Oct. 24 using Zoom, the course is aimed at small-scale Northwest forest owners and focuses on training them to make simple management plans for their lands. Recognized experts from WSU, the Washington Department of Natural Resources experts, and other natural resource agencies lead the eight-week session, covering a wide range of topics, from forest ecology and responsible timber harvesting to forest roads, products, and recreation.
“We’ve brought a team of experts to help landowners create a plan that aligns with their personal property goals, whether that is reducing the risk of wildfire, improving habitat for wildlife, or generating income from timber sales,” Cardin said. “The most important lesson we hope to impart is that a little bit of planning can go a long way in ensuring your forest remains valuable and resilient for generations to come.”
Participants can gain eligibility for cost-share assistance for thinning, pruning, slash disposal, reforestation, and wildlife habitat improvement practices, reduced property taxes, and to certify their forests.
The course fee is $150 per person, family or land parcel. Participation is limited to 30 registrants on a first-come, first-served basis. Register at https://KittitasCP.eventbrite.com.
For more information, contact Joshua Cardin, WSU Forestry Extension Program Coordinator, at joshua.cardin@wsu.edu or (509)-308-8224.
Visit wsu.forestry.edu to find more events and resources.