Forest Stewardship Projects
The Forest Stewardship Program has been involved with several projects, including developing online learning opportunities and surveying the needs and interests of local forest landowners.
Economagic
What is Economagic?
Economagic is a web-based learning module is designed to guide forest landowners through some of the basic concepts of forestry economics and finance. These concepts are often not well-understood and may appear to be the workings of "Econo-Magicians." Despite its tongue-in-cheek name, the intent of this learning module is to reveal that there really isn't any magic involved at all–just the careful application of a few key principles. Furthermore, you don't have to be a math or an economics wizard to practically apply these concepts to your forest, both in everyday management decisions and long-term planning.
Why learn about forest economics?
Most forest landowners aren't "in it for the money." However, your forest is still one of your most valuable assets. Regardless of your ownership objectives, you will regularly be faced with decisions that have significant economic implications, such as what species to grow; how much to spend on stand improvement activities for forest health, wildlife and wood quality; whether or not to purchase new equipment; when to harvest; whether or not to invest in additional land; etc. The concepts and tools presented in this web module will help you to make more informed management decisions and to plan for the long-term financial health of your forest. These concepts and tools also have broader applications for your personal finances (borrowing and investing).
How do I access Economagic?
Economagic was developed in partnership between WSU Extension and the Rural Technology Initiative at the University of Washington. The learning module is sponsored by the National Learning Center for Forest and Range Landowners and is available as a free resource. You have the option of becoming a registered user of the site (registration is free) or you can have access to the same content by logging in anonymously as a guest. Go to Economagic.
Other online learning resources:
The National Learning Center for Forest and Range Landowners has a number of other learning modules available on a variety of forestry topics. To explore what's available, visit Forestandrange.org.
Forest Landowner Survey
Why was a survey done?
Our goal is to provide high-quality, useful, and relevant information and resources for forest landowners in the Snohomish and Skagit County area. In order to improve our programs and services, we needed to better understand the values, interests, and needs of local forest landowners. We conducted a mail survey in the fall of 2007 to collect feedback on forest ownership values, forest stewardship education topics of interest, education delivery preferences, and demographic trends.
Who was the survey sent to?
The survey was sent to folks who own forestland in Snohomish or Skagit County and also live within the region. These landowners were identified through public tax records. All landowners who were enrolled in a current use tax program (Designated Forestland or Open Space Timber) received the survey, as well as a random sample of those who pay the Forest Patrol (DNR fire protection) assessment. Members of the local chapter of the Washington Farm Forestry Association also received the survey. A total of 2,915 surveys were sent out. 1,053 survey recipients (36%) responded. This is a very high response rate for this type of survey, providing us with robust data and a good picture of landowner needs and interests in the Snohomish/Skagit area.
Survey Results
For those interested in the results of this survey, an online streaming video is available of a presentation given to the North Puget Sound chapter of the Society of American foresters summarizing the key results of the survey. The results of the survey continue to be analyzed and used to improve our programs. Thank you to all who participated in this study.
Virtual Cruiser Vest
WSU Extension has teamed up again with Forestandrange.org to develop another online learning module. This module, called the "Virtual Cruiser Vest," will teach forest landowners some easy and effective techniques to inventory their woodlands. Watch for this to be available in Fall 2008.
Announcements
8/19/2008 – The fall advanced coached planning class is full. The waiting list for the overflow spring class is now also full. We WILL continue to offer this class annually, though! To get the first announcements of these class offerings, make sure you are subscribed to our e-newsletter.
8/4/2008 – Registration is open for the 2008 Fall Education Series. Details and Registration Information.
7/17/2008 – Registration is open for the winter 2009 coached planning class. Details and Registration Information.
5/30/2008 – The Forest Stewardship web page has a new look! Some of the pages are still under construction but we are adding content regularly. We hope you enjoy the new look.
5/26/2008 – The results of the Forest Landowner Survey have been presented. See the Streaming Video of this presentation from March 31, 2008.
3/25/2008 – The Forest Stewardship Class has been featured in the local news. Our thanks to the Everett Herald and the Sedro Woolley Courier Times (with a reprint in the Argus as well) for their excellent coverage of the Silvana and Sedro Woolley classes, respectively.