This spring, Washington State University Snohomish County 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 are invited to participate in this seven-week online course, which will run Tuesday evenings, 6 – 9 p.m., 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 a healthy woodland that is free of disease, insect, and invasive weed problems.

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

During the course, participants will develop their own personalized Forest Stewardship Plan, which provides 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 may also qualify owners who meet minimum acreage requirements for significant property tax reductions.

The course also includes 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 snohomish.wsu.edu/forestry/CP12Online.htm 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.