WSU Extension offers forest stewardship coach

WSU Cooperative Extension is offering a comprehensive university-based forestry class which will run Jan. 24-March 7.

The class will be presented 6-9 p.m. on Thursdays (first class at 5:30 p.m), and it will include a March 2 field trip.

According to the course description, "Natural beauty, wildlife, ecosystem health, harvest income, family ties, privacy, and peace and quiet are some of the many reasons people value their forestland. Whatever your values are, this comprehensive university-based forestry class will help you get the most out of the land you love. Whether you have just a few wooded acres or a larger forest tract, if you have trees on your property, this class is for you.

"In this series of classes, landowners are coached through the process of writing a forest management plan for their property based on their own management objectives. Your management plan is a key to accessing resources for small forest landowners in this area, such as reduced property taxes, cost-share assistance programs, and becoming a DNR certified stewardship forest."

Course fee is $220 per household/ownership and includes seven live webinars taught by state-recognized experts, a field trip, a digital reference library, aerial photos and maps of the participant's property, a copy of Native Trees of Western Washington, a forest measurement tool, and a personal site visit from a professional forester.

Register before January 11th and save $30. Space is limited and is first-come, first-served.

This course will be offered via live, interactive webinars. A high-speed internet connection (e.g. DSL, cable) is needed. Dial-up will not work. One can access the webinars with a computer or mobile device.

For more information, and to register, go to this link: http://forestry.wsu.edu/sw/classes-and-events/cponlinesw/.