Program improves woodland stewardship

AMES – Woodland owners and land managers can improve their knowledge of Iowa’s woodland resources this spring and fall by participating in a hands-on training program offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

The Iowa Master Woodland Steward Program will offer seven learning modules spread over a six-week period, with a combination of online self-paced prework, followed by three-hour educational sessions that include classroom and in-field learning.

The program will be offered April 4 through May 16 by the Hamilton, Story, Boone and Webster County offices of ISU Extension and Outreach. The program will also be offered September through October, led by the Linn and Johnson County offices.

All in-person sessions are 6-9 p.m. at a variety of woodland sites within host counties.

The Master Woodland Steward Program is geared toward woodland owners, woodland stewards and land managers, but may also be of interest to school teachers, loggers and government employees.

The goal of the program is to develop a community of highly motivated and knowledgeable woodland stewards, to act as champions of forestry and work with forestry professionals to care for and expand woodland resources.

Each module will consist of approximately one hour of online self-paced prework, followed by a three-hour combination classroom and in-field session.

Participants do not need to be residents of the host counties to register. The cost of registration is $75. Space is limited.