Hands-On Forest Health Strategies for San Juan County

3042 Center Road,Lopez Island WA 98261

17 September, 2022

Description

This free workshop is made possible with financial support from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Western Extension Risk Management Education. Many forest owners across Western Washington are interested in taking a hands-on approach to improving the health, resilience and productivity of their forests, but may lack the information, skills and resources to do so. At this workshop, local and regional experts will introduce forest owners to simple, do-it-yourself strategies for thinning their forests, mitigating slash and creating value-added products. Participants will develop a deeper understanding of the ecological risks facing Western Washington forests due to wildfire, drought, disease, and insect infestation. Participants will learn how to evaluate forest conditions, select trees for harvesting, and utilize woody biomass for forest health. Participants are encouraged to bring a sack lunch and water for the day. Coffee and snacks will be provided in the morning. More information about workshop activities will be provided closer to the workshop. Masks are not required while outdoors, but are required for any indoor sessions. We respect anyone's preference to continue wearing a mask for whatever reason. This event is being held in a privately-owned forest on Lopez. Topics Instruction will be a combination of lecture, demonstration, and hands-on activities, including: Stand Assessment 101: How to "read" and understand what is happening in your forest from an ecological perspective. Topics include species competition, tree canopy classes, and timber quality.Forest Management Goals & Options: Discuss strategies for reducing fire risk, improving timber growth and quality, and increasing resilience to climate change. Tree Selection for Thinning: The rhyme and reason for thinning from below, thinning across diameters, tree spacing, and species selection.Tree Marking Exercise: Practice marking trees for thinning. Tree Felling 101: Participants observe basic tree felling techniques. Open face & boring cut for larger diameter trees. Felling small-diameter trees. Dealing with a "hang-up". Limbing & bucking.Utilizing Cut Material: Strategies include lop & scatter, habitat piles, creating biochar, making constructed habitat logs, firewood, chipping, etcFunding Forest Stewardship: How to fund your forest health work through cost-share programs. Free Site Visits Participants can sign up for a limited number of free two-hour site visits with Director of Forestry Kirk Hanson of Northwest Natural Resource Group, Carson Sprenger of Rain Shadow Consulting, or Kai Hoffman-Krull of San Juan Conservation District. During the site visit, the forester will help landowners refine plans for managing their forest and answer site-specific questions. To register for a free site visit, please email [email protected]. Speakers Kirk Hanson | Northwest Natural Resource Group Kai Hoffman-Krull | Restore Char & San Juan Conservation District Carson Sprenger | Rain Shadow Consulting Workshop presented by Northwest Natural Resource Group Rain Shadow Consulting San Juan Conservation District This material is based upon work supported by USDA/NIFA.