Master Forest Stewards: Learn, Plan, Take Action

Hands-on forest management techniques

Participants will learn to evaluate site-specific threats and to match management techniques to site conditions and forest types. We will cover the interests of governments, conservation authorities, industry groups, community organizations and service providers so you know who and when to ask for help.

Map your property

Participants will be introduced to a variety of map-making tools from aerial imagery for paper maps to digital tools such as Google Earth, Natural Heritage Maps and even free software such as QGIS. We will discuss your goals and how to translate those goals into forest management zones to be mapped.

Create an inventory

Learn the basic elements of an inventory including how to determine plot sizes, sampling intensity and survey methods. Participants will gain a strong foundation for data collection and species identification tools to create your own inventory.

Create a stewardship plan for your property

To finalize your stewardship plan, we will consider the monthly and annual activities, tools and support required to achieve our long-term restoration goals. The stewardship plan includes key components of the Managed Forest Tax Incentive Program.

Information

The fee for the first offering of this course will be a donation. There will be a charge for all future offerings.

Each offering of the course will include four workshops in September and October 2025.

Each workshop includes:

• 1-2 hours of presentations and discussion
• Self-paced exercises that will take 1-4 hours to complete
• 2-3 hours of field-based practice for in-person offerings in the Kawartha Lakes and Huron-Perth regions

Exercises are not graded, but participants are expected to commit the required time and effort to complete this course.

Participants are responsible for their own transportation for workshops.

Capacity is limited to 20 participants for each course so register early before space runs out.