Oregon’s more than 79,000 family forest landowners manage 3.6 million acres of private forestland, contributing significant economic, ecological and social value. These landowners have diverse goals and face complex challenges in forest stewardship.
Oregon State University Extension Service’s annual Tree School is a long-standing program that equips landowners with essential knowledge and resources. In-person Tree School events were canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tree School Online significantly expanded participation beyond the limitations of in-person events.
To continue providing education during the pandemic, OSU Extension in Clackamas County partnered with the Oregon Forest Resources Institute and the Oregon Partnership for Forestry Education to launch Tree School Online. From March 2020 through April 2022, the webinar series offered 52 classes covering core topics such as reforestation, thinning, wildfire preparedness, forest health, safety and sustainable land management. Course development was guided by landowner surveys, focus groups and ongoing community feedback.
The recorded webinars and educational materials remain publicly available through the Tree School Online Library, expanding access to forestry education statewide.
Tree School Online significantly expanded participation beyond the limitations of in-person events. In 2020 alone, live webinars attracted more than 3,000 attendees, with recordings receiving 5,796 YouTube views and 4,019 Facebook views. Survey results showed that 98% of participants found the classes useful, and 97% planned to apply what they learned.
In 2021, live attendance reached 4,000 participants, and recordings were viewed nearly 17,000 times on YouTube and 4,000 times on Facebook. The series concluded in 2022 with a total of 52 webinars — all archived for future viewing.
The online format allowed OSU Extension to reach forest landowners and enthusiasts throughout Oregon and beyond, overcoming traditional barriers of geography and classroom size. The recorded sessions continue to serve as a valuable learning resource available anytime.
Collaborating partners include the Oregon Department of Forestry, Forests Forever Inc., Oregon Small Woodlands Association, Ecotrust, Clackamas Community College and Clackamas County.
