WOODLAND, Wash. – Family forest owners and managers in western Washington are invited to learn how to plan, manage and protect their forests at the Westside Family Forest Owners Field Day, Saturday, Aug. 18.
The field day is 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Zumstein Family Farm near Woodland, Washington, within easy driving distance of south Puget Sound and southwest Washington cVisit Siteounties, as well as northwest Oregon.
Instructed by recognized experts in forest management, wildlife habitat and other forest stewardship disciplines, this “out-in-the-woods” educational event shares timely information to meet the needs of landowners with five or 500 acres. There will be exhibitors, demonstrations and classes throughout the day.
The field day is designed to prepare landowners to plan and execute management activities that meet their personal objectives, reduce risks and protect their financial investment, answering questions such as:
- Is my forest healthy?
- How do I attract some wildlife and repel others?
- When selling timber, what’s my fair share?
There also will be a special session for absentees that own property in eastern Washington.
Participants can choose from a wide variety of classes taught by specialists in:
- Forest health.
- Weed control.
- Wildfire protection.
- Timber and non-timber forest products.
- Technology for mapping.
- Forestland security and safety.
Presenters and exhibitors will be available all day to answer questions, and participants can learn how to arrange a complementary walk-in-the-woods by a professional forester, wildlife biologist or both. Youth activities will be available all day.
Registration by Monday, Aug. 13, costs $30 per person or $40 for a family of two or more. After that date the fee is $40 per person or $50 per family. An optional barbecue lunch will be available for $10 per person to benefit the Future Farmers of America. Lunch reservations must be received by Aug. 13.
A brochure with information, driving directions and registration information can be found on the WSU forestry website, http://forestry.wsu.edu, or at your local WSU Extension office.
For information, contact Andy Perleberg, WSU Extension forester at 509-667-6540 or andyp@wsu.edu.
