Resources for Beginning Forest Landowners

In 2016 and 2017, we offered a program for new forest landowners in southwest Washington and northwest Oregon. We produced two handouts specifically for people who recently purchased forestland:

• Do-It-Yourself Ways to Steward a Healthy, Beautiful Forest – this guide focuses on simple things Northwest forest owners can do themselves to attract wildlife to the land, provide recreation, and contribute to its well-being.
• Practices to Steward a Beautiful Forest after Timber Harvest – this guide, intended for forest owners who are preparing to log or have just finished a timber harvest, focuses on planning for a successful harvest and taking advantage of the years after harvest to understand how the forest is responding and to proactively address common forest health concerns.

Our workshops covered everything from managing forests to improve wildlife habitat to discovering non-timber value in the woods. PDFs of the PowerPoint slides from these workshop can help you learn more about your forest and its needs, and propel you along your stewardship journey.

Getting Started

• First Steps for New Forest Owners – Kirk Hanson
• Forest Management Options – Kirk Hanson
• Open Space Taxation in Washington: Intro to Designated Forest Land – Diane Dorey
• Forest Use Taxation in Oregon- Michael Ahr
• Technical & Financial Assistance for Small Forest Landowners – Kirk Hanson
• Handout – List of Resources for Getting Started – links to mapping tools, field guides, technical instruction guides

Forest Ecology

• Western Washington Forest Ecology – Brian Morris
• Western Oregon Forest Ecology – Michael Ahr
• Oregon Forest Health Report for 2015 – report about diseases and insect outbreaks referred to during the discussions on first steps and management options
• Introduction to Ecological Forestry – Glenn Ahrens & Rolf Gersonde
• Ecological Forest Management – Rolf Gersonde
• Handout – List of Resources for Ecological Forestry  – links to field guides, technical instruction guides

Wildlife Habitat

• Maintaining and Enhancing Wildlife Habitat – Lori Hennings
• The Why and How of Snags – Jeanie Taylor
• Western Washington Forests & Wildlife Habitat – Ken Bevis
• Planting Trees for Wildlife

Invasive Species

• Invasive Species & Other Forest Health Issues – Michael Ahr
• If You Can’t Beat’Em, Eat’Em: Edible Invasives – Dana Coggon

Optimizing Forest Value

• Managing Small Woodlands for Diverse Value – Kirk Hanson
• Forest Carbon for the Family Forest Owner – Ben Hayes
• Value Added Programs for Small Woodland Owners – Neil Schroeder
• Optimizing Timber Values – Rick Helman
• Optimizing Timber Values – Barry Sims
• Wild Edible Fruits – James Freed
• Plas Newydd Farm History – David Morgan
• List of Resources for Discovering Forest Value
• Books about Non-Timber Forest Products

Harvesting and Selling Timber

• Working with a Consultant & Logger: Equipment Options – Andy Chittick
• Finding the Right Logger for Your Timber Harvest – Barry Sims
• Assessing Forest Resources, When to Harvest & Silvicultural Systems – Kirk Hanson
• Video Series: Beginning Tree Felling
• Post Logging Considerations – Kirk Hanson
• Managing a Timber Sale – Financial Aspects & Log Markets – Rick Helman
• Financial Aspects of Timber Harvesting – Barry Sims
• Small Forest Landowner Guide to Forest Practices – Josh Meek
• Washington DNR Small Forest Landowner Office – Tami Miketa
• Handout – Timber Sale Checklist
• Handout – Timber Sale Checklist (Excel)
• Handout – Introduction to Harvest Systems
• Handout – Sample Contract
• Handout – Timber Sale Resource List

Funding Options

• Technical & Financial Assistance for Small Forest Landowners – Kirk Hanson
• List of Resources for Getting Started – links to mapping tools, field guides, technical instruction guides

Other Resources

• Open Space Taxation in Washington: Intro to Designated Forest Land – Diane Dorey
• Forest Use Taxation in Oregon- Michael Ahr
• Oregon Forest Practices Act Notification Process – John Krause & Ryan Gordon
• Proposed Stream Rules For Salmon, Steelhead and Bull Trout – John Krause
• Hyla Woods: Values from the Forest – Peter & Pam Hayes
• Grays Harbor County’s Forest Stewardship Program – Dave Houk

Photo: Matt Freeman-Gleason

Funded by the USDA’s Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program