Forestry & Natural Resources Program, serving Benton, Linn, & Polk Counties

Courses/Shortcourses

OSU Forestry & Natural Resources Extension has developed a number of core courses for woodland owners, described below.  They are offered on a recurring basis.  Please watch the calendar and upcoming events for when they will be offered in Benton, Linn and Polk Counties.

Basic Forestry Shortcourse 

This six-session course plus field trip is an introduction to forest management for new or potential woodland owners. It covers what you need to know and who you might want to contact to begin managing your forest.

General Topics to be covered include:

• Introduction; How your forest ecosystem works; Sustaining your forest - protection from pests and fire; Management plans.
• Sources of assistance.
• Measuring trees and other resources in your forest; Reforestation - establishing and maintaining forest trees.
• Field trip to local forest properties - plant trees, measure growth, view logging, access roads, discuss fish and wildlife habitat, other topics as desired.
• The science and art of silviculture - thinning, pruning, fertilizing; A place for fish and wildlife on your woodlands.
• Taxes and other business necessities; Ties to the Land - creating a plan and a future for your forest.
• Harvesting and marketing products from your forest; Forest laws and incentive programs - Oregon Department of Forestry Stewardship Forester.

Mentored Management Planning Shortcourse

This three-session shortcourse helps woodland owners write a management plan for their property with the use of a template and the guidance of an experienced mentor.

Landowners are linked with a mentor who will visit the landowner's property, then help guide them in developing their management plan. Mentors are generally professinal foresters or other resource professional, or OSU Master Woodland Managers).  Participants will be provided maps, aerial photos and other planning aids for developing or updating their forest management plan. Over the course of the shortcourse, we meet to review progress, answer questions that may have developed, and share plans with other workshop participants.

Master Woodland Manager (MWM)

Master Woodland Manager training is 85 hours of intensive study. In return MWMs donate an equal number of volunteer hours teaching others. Pre-requisites are the Basic Forestry Short Course and Resource Management Planning course.  Trainings are offered in rotation around the state (about one per year).

Check out the current training schedule.

Woodland Owner Fire School

Fire School helps woodland owners gain knowledge and skills that can be used to protect their forests from wildfires. Participants also learn how to use fire as a tool in their management planning.

An evening session covers the characteristics and behavior of fire. A practical all-day, hands-on session provides the opportunity to use tools and equipment to extinguish a fire. A modest fee is charged to cover instruction materials.