Woodland Stewardship: Guided Engagement with Your Land
- Skill Level
- Beginner Intermediate Advanced
- Length Content Access
- 365
- Sections
- 8
- Length
- 18 hours
- Language
- English
- Note
- This is an instructor-guided course with live discussions. This course offers a certificate of completion.
This course will be offered again in 2024. Check back soon for dates and registration information.
Note: This is an instructor-guided course with live discussions. If you are interested in an asynchronous version of this course without live discussions, see Woodland Stewardship: Management Practices for Landowners.
In Pennsylvania, private forest landowners own 11.5 million acres (almost 70% of the forests). Yet private lands are not necessarily well managed. Research shows that Pennsylvania's woodland owners overwhelmingly want to do the right thing when it comes to taking care of their land, but they consider a lack of knowledge and information to be their major stumbling block in that effort. Although this course focuses on Pennsylvania woods and landowners, much of the information applies to land in other states as well, particularly those in the Northeast.
In this educator-guided course, you will learn about forests and how to take care of them. Through a combination of educational videos and short readings, you'll gain a solid understanding of what it means to be a woodland steward and ways to apply your new knowledge to your own woodlot. You will learn practical, hands-on skills, as well as some "big picture" concepts related to woodland management. You can check your learning with quick, ungraded questions, and download and print the handouts that accompany this course. In addition, you can interact with fellow learners and instructors through discussion boards.
As you work through this course, you will have the opportunity to build a detailed map of your property. Educators will be available to coach you during five live discussions. If you miss a live discussion, a recording will be available later.
This course has eight sections. At the end of each section, there is a short quiz. You will need to score 70% or better on these quizzes to earn a certificate of completion.
- Anyone interested in better understanding forests and stewardship practices
- Woodland owners
You will learn how to:
- recognize the importance of forests and the need for woodland stewardship
- outline forest management techniques
- identify trees
- measure diameter, height, and volume of trees
- collect field data on a forest stand
- protect wildlife habitat and water quality
- develop legacy plans for the future of forest health
- develop a detailed map of your woodland
- create the foundation for engaging a professional to help you manage your woodlot
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Certificates are available for some courses, but not all courses. When applicable, certificates are issued upon successful course completion with a passing grade. The definition of a passing grade varies from course to course.
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