Another Tree School Under Wraps  

Tree School 2009 in Clackamas County is now in the books. 525 woodland owners and youth participated in this year's event held annually at Clackamas Community College in Oregon City.  Attendees learned new information and skills to help them better manage their woodland properties.  60 classes—from log scaling and grading, reforestation and silviculture...to truffles, wildlife management, soils, ecosystem services and Christmas trees—all combine to make Tree School a huge draw for hundreds of people each year.

As we wrap up the details from this year's event, we begin planning for next year.  Tree School 2010 will be our 20th program.  We hope to plan special events and activities in association with this milestone.  As always, we welcome any feedback you might have about Tree School 2009, as well as any suggestions or ideas you have for the 2010 program.  Contact the Extension Office in Oregon City at 503-655-8631 or email through this website.

Finally thanks to staff and volunteers who went the extra mile to make Tree School happen again this year.  Merrily Enquist is our Tree School Coordinator and devotes countless hours to planning the program and organizing the volunteers and instructors.  Cheryl Keithan is the Tree School Registrar and handles all of the registration information and gets everyone into their classes.  Ken Everett and Julie Handy, both with MAP, Inc., manage the Exhibit Area and coordinate the fundraising raffle for Forests Forever, Inc.  Loretta Mills from Clackamas Community College and her staff, handle all of the arrangements for our facilities and support.

Last, but certainly not least, more than 60 volunteers come together each year to take on countless tasks that make Tree School happen.  Volunteers assemble the registration packets for all of the attendees, exhibitors and instructors (about 630 this year), put up the signs all over campus, set up and tear down the Exhibit Area, help Exhibitors get moved in, answer questions and direct traffic on campus...and, of course, teach the classes.  To all of you—thanks for another job "well done!"

Save the Date for 2010!

Clackamas Tree School will be held at Clackamas Community College, Oregon City, on Saturday, March 20, 2010.  All Tree School attendees during the past three years will be automatically included in our mailing database and will receive copies of the Tree School registration booklet by U.S. mail.  If you haven't attended Tree School in the past three years, add your name to our mailing list by calling the Extension Office in Oregon City at 503-655-8631.  Next year's booklet will be available in mid-January.  Once you receive your booklet be sure to register early for best class selection.

Coming Soon...Tree School Focus Groups

What is a Focus Group?  It's an opportunity for individuals like yourself to provide ideas and suggestions about a topic of interest.  Tree School in Clackamas County always has valued the opinions, thoughts and information provided by our attendees...and, it's how we design a program that people want to attend.

What do you think the hot topics or "need to know" classes for 2010 will be?  Don't worry, there are no wrong answers.  For sure, these will be YOUR suggestions.  We invite people interested in Tree School to help us design the curriculum so, hopefully, we will get it RIGHT!

Our Focus Groups are always a fun, informal sharing of information in a setting of about 12 to 20 people.  We spend about 1 1/2 hours brainstorming ideas for new classes.  We offer two sessions: Christmas Trees and Forestry.  If you would like to participate in one of these sessions this year, call 503-655-8631.