Educational Programs and Workshops
Idaho’s family forest landowners have diverse goals for their property. One common goal is to be good stewards.
Our educational programs and workshops are designed to increase the knowledge base that Idaho’s forestland owners and managers use to plan and implement natural resource management activities.
Find educational programs that help forestland owners and managers strengthen forest stewardship skills. Learn how to become an Idaho Master Forest Steward. Locate events that offer continuing education and certification credits for:
- Idaho Department of Agriculture pesticide recertification
- Idaho Pro-Logger program
- Society of American Foresters Certified Forester program
- Idaho schoolteachers (through the University of Idaho)
Check our calendar for specific dates.
2019-2020 Strengthening Forest Stewardship Skills events are designed to help family forest owners and those who work with them strengthen their forest stewardship skills.
Chainsaws 101
A field introduction to chainsaw use and care, tree falling and safety.
Moscow, Friday, May 22, 2020
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
U of I Pitkin Nursery Classroom, 1025 Plant Science Rd.
Registration information to follow
Thinning and Pruning Field Day
Instruction on fundamental concepts, followed by a hands-on field tour to learn about forest growth, forest genetics, thinning and pruning. (IMFS)
Moscow, Thursday, May 28, 2020
St. Maries, Saturday, June 13, 2020
Registration details to follow
Forest Insects and Disease Field Day
A full day of first-hand contact with insects and diseases that affect forest growth and health, with discussions of related management strategies. (IMFS)
Moscow, Friday, July 24, 2020
Bonners Ferry, Friday, July 31, 2020
Registration details to follow
Forestry Shortcourse 2020
Enriches family forest owners’ basic understanding of forest planning, forest ecology, silviculture, insects, disease, wildlife habitat, taxes and other forest stewardship topics (Two UI credits available).
Cottonwood, Aug. 10-12
St. Gertrude’s Monastery, 465 Keuterville Rd.
Registration information to follow
Forestry for Southern Idaho
This one-day workshop will introduce farmers, ranchers, and other forest owners to silviculture, forest insects and diseases, and thinning methods.
McCall, Friday, Aug. 14, 2020
Registration details to follow
Idaho Master Forest Stewards receive over 70 hours of training, much of which consists of selected existing UI Extension programs many Idaho forest owners may have already completed (credit is given for previous attendance). Training includes several of the workshops listed in the 2019-2020 Strengthening Forest Stewardship Skills calendar, indicated by (IMFS)at the end of the event description. But the program also includes new indoor and outdoor educational experiences designed to take participants to the next level of managing their forest and helping other forest owners to do the same. These four one-day “IMFS core sessions” are held at forested sites throughout northern Idaho to expose participants to a range of forest ecosystems.
Learn more about becoming a certified Idaho Master Forest Steward at the University of Idaho Extension Forestry Panhandle website or by calling Chris Schnepf at the University of Idaho Extension office in Kootenai County at 208-446-1680.
The Logger Education to Advance Professionalism (LEAP) program is a nationally acclaimed University of Idaho Extension program. It began at the request of loggers who want to improve their skills, document and market their services and communicate more effectively with family forest owners and managers. Credits are available to participants to fulfill continuing education requirements of the Idaho Pro-Logger Program.
LEAP 2020
Moscow, April 21-23
Coeur d'Alene, April 28-30
LEAP Update is an annual opportunity for loggers to build on LEAP with in-depth training on forestry topics. The program also helps loggers meet Idaho Pro-Logger BMP training and continuing education requirements. For more information on the Idaho Pro-Logger program and credit requirements, contact the Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho (ALC) at 208-667-6473.
LEAP Update 2020
Lewiston, March 10
8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Lewiston Elks Lodge, 3444 Country Club Drive
Register online
St. Maries, March 11
8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Elks Lodge, 628 Main Avenue
Register online
Sandpoint, March 12
8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Ponderay Events Center, 401 Bonner Mall Way, Suite E
Register online
Check-in for each location will begin at 7:15 a.m.
Lunch will be provided at all locations, courtesy of the Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho (ALC)