Forestry Certification Training for Agency Field Staff

Forestry Certification Training for Agency Field Staff

Summary

The first three months of this project (2010) have gone according to plan. NNRG is pleased with our progress in workshop planning and curriculum development and we look forward to beginning this workshop series as scheduled in March.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The objective for this period of the project was to begin the process of obtaining and developing curriculum material, planning workshop logistics, and conducting outreach.

Accomplishments/Milestones

The objectives for this period were all met. Although the Rainforest Alliance/SmartWood FSC curriculum was unavailable we have located a qualified consultant to assist with curriculum development (Mike Sterner, Certified FSC Assessor from Sterner Resources. Mike is in the process of developing training materials and a PowerPoint presentation for the training.

The location for our first workshops has also been secured. It will be held at the Satsop Development Park in Elma, WA. As an economic development park, Satsop is located on the site of a former nuclear power plant and includes both industrial space (including wood products manufacturers), educational space, and a 1200 acre forest that was recently FSC certified. The development park has been seeking ways to expand the educational events there and this training will meet our mutual objectives and provide an ideal location for both classroom and field training.

Speakers have been arranged for this first workshop which will occur on March 18th and 19th and include Todd Bates (Satsop Forester and Forestry Instructor at Gray’s Harbor College), Mike Sterned (FSC Assesor from Sterner Resources, Kirk Hanson (NNRG), Chad Davis (Sustainable Northwest).

• Advertising Flier for Workshop #1

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Although this project has only barely begun we are already seeing a lot of interest and enthusiasm for these workshops. Shortly after posting the workshop announcement and flier we began receiving phone calls. Already two people have registered and several have announced intention to register when workshops are held closer to them. Those interested in attending who have contacted us so far include county foresters and forest related non-profits.

Collaborators: