Modern forest ownership is defined by personal objectives, and the next Coached Planning Shortcourse, a collaboration between WSU Extension and the Washington Department of Natural Resources, helps owners realize that vision.
Running weekly, January 7 through March 11, 2026, via Zoom, this course is designed for owners of small-scale family forests in eastern Washington, typically five to 500 acres, who want to protect their land’s health and value.
“You can’t just inherit a legacy; you have to actively create it, making mindful choices today that fulfill your goals for recreation, income, and conservation tomorrow,” said Joshua Cardin, WSU Extension Forestry Program Coordinator. “This Coached Planning Course is dedicated to helping small forest landowners achieve the visions they have for their woodlands.”
This course provides professional knowledge to answer questions like: How do I definitively know if my forest is healthy? How do I ensure my fair financial share when harvesting timber? And how do I harvest sustainably, enhance wildlife habitat, and future-proof my property against wildfire risk without “trashing” the land?
Participants learn to develop a simple, customized management plans. Completion makes owners eligible for cost-share assistance to implement thinning, pruning, slash disposal, reforestation, and wildlife habitat improvements, qualify to be considered for reduced property taxes, and take the critical step toward owning a certified forest.
Topics include forest ecology and health, wildlife habitat improvement, thinning and pruning, wildfire protection, reforestation, responsible timber harvesting, forest soils and roads, riparian area management, fish habitat, cultural resources, special forest products, and forest recreation.
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 for the Online Coached Planning Forest Stewardship Shortcourse via Eventbrite or visit wsu.forestry.edu for more information about events in your area. To learn more, email to joshua.cardin@wsu.edu or call (509)-308-8224.