UI Extension is offering rural landowner workshop

Idaho is well known for extensive public lands; so much that people sometimes lose sight of how much private land we have in selected regions of the state. For example, Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai, and Benewah counties collectively have over 1.5 million acres of private lands — 47.5 percent of all lands in those counties.

Some of these private parcels are in large blocks, but most of them are smaller parcels owned by an ever-growing number of private landowners. Uses of these lands vary from forest, to pasture, to crops. People who move to these sites have many ideas as to what they want from the land but may be less aware of how to achieve those goals or the tasks associated with living on and maintaining rural property.

University of Idaho Extension is offering a one-day program designed to help owners of small rural acreages manage their land meet their goals. The program titled “10 Acres and a Dream”, was the idea of Idaho Master Forest Stewards, most of whom are private landowners themselves.

“Ten Acres and a Dream” will be held in Sandpoint on March 16, and Hayden on March 17.

Program enrollment is limited to 75 participants per session. Those wishing to participate should pre-register as soon as possible, but no later than March 9. A $15 registration fee includes resource materials and refreshments.

For registration questions on the Sandpoint session, contact the University of Idaho Extension office in Bonner county at 208-263-8511. For registration questions on the Hayden session, contact the University of Idaho Extension in Kootenai County at 208-446-1680.

Registration forms can also be downloaded at www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry/calendar. This program is co-sponsored by University of Idaho Extension and the Idaho Department of Lands.