Your Land, Your Trees, Your Goals: A Forestry Class for Landowners

— from Ian Tyler Fawley —

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.

Topics covered include:

• How do you know if your trees are healthy? What should you do if they aren’t?
• What types of trees do you have? Does your forest look like a “mess”?
• Are characteristics of your property attracting or repelling the wildlife you enjoy? What can you do if wildlife cause damage?
• When should you worry about trees being hazards?
• How do you know if your trees need to be thinned, and how do you go about it?
• Are invasive and noxious weeds taking over your underbrush? What are the risks and what can you do about it?
• What kind of soil do you have and how does that affect what grows?
• What is the risk of wildfire on your property?

Save money, too. As part of this class we will “coach” you in the writing of your own simple forestry plan that may qualify you for property tax reductions or conservation cost-share grants.

What’s Included: Five Saturday sessions, including a field trip, with forestry and wildlife experts

• A large notebook of reference materials and how-to guides
• A copy of the book Native Trees of Western Washington
• A consultation site visit to your property from a state service forester
• A tree measuring tool

Date/Times:
Five Saturdays, March 11 – April 8, 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. (6.5 hours)

Cost:
$185 before March 1; $215 on March 1 or later; Cost is per individual or couple from the same household/ownership

Address:
Skagit Valley College
221 Weber Way
Friday Harbor, WA 9825

Weblink:
https://forestry.wsu.edu/nps/events/cpsanjuan/

More Information:
Ian Fawley, Forestry Program Coordinator
425-357-6023, ian.fawley@wsu.edu