WSU Extension offers flagship forest stewardship class online for the first time

EVERETT, Wash. – This spring, Washington State University Extension and the Washington Department of Natural Resources will take their flagship Forest Stewardship Coached Planning course online as a series of live, interactive webinars. Woodland owners in western Washington are invited to participate in this seven-week online course, which will run 6-9 p.m. Tuesdays, April 24-June 5.

Many people own forestland for the enjoyment, privacy and aesthetic beauty it provides. High taxes and expensive management costs can make it difficult to maintain healthy woodlands that are free of disease, insect and invasive-weed problems.

This class will help landowners identify ways to reduce taxes and other management costs and generate income by marketing locally grown forest products. The class also will teach woodland owners how to assess their trees, avoid common problems and take practical steps to keep their forests on track to provide habitat and enjoyment for years to come.

Participants will develop their own personalized forest stewardship plan. With an approved stewardship plan comes state recognition as a Stewardship Forest, eligibility for cost-share assistance programs and qualification to become certified as a sustainable forest. An approved stewardship plan also may qualify owners who meet minimum acreage requirements for significant property tax reductions.

The course includes seven evening webinars, admission to a Saturday field day this summer, a comprehensive forest stewardship notebook, property maps, aerial photos and an individual on-site consultation at your property from a professional forester or wildlife biologist.

Registration information is available at http://bit.ly/H0BJ13 or by contacting Kevin Zobrist, WSU Extension Forester, at 425-357-6017. Registration is $200 per household and includes a set of materials that will be shipped to you. Class size is limited and is first come, first served.

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