Idaho Master Forest Stewards program accepting applications

University of Idaho Extension is seeking additional candidates for the Idaho Master Forest Stewards program.

The Idaho Master Forest Stewards program was co-designed with forest owners to increase participants’ forestry knowledge and skills; enable them to provide educational assistance to forest owners and other groups; and provide a forum for richer peer to peer learning among forest owners.

Idaho Master Forest Stewards receive over 70 hours of training, much of which consists of selected existing UI Extension programs many Idaho forest owners may have already completed (credit is given for previous attendance). But the program also includes new indoor and outdoor educational experiences designed to take participants to the next level of managing their forest and helping other forest owners to do the same. These four one-day “IMFS core sessions” are held at forested sites throughout northern Idaho to expose participants to a range of forest ecosystems.

In return for their training, Idaho Master Forest Stewards provide 70 hours of volunteer service helping forest owners and other groups learn more about research-based information on Idaho forests and forestry. A variety of volunteer service activities are possible, including outreach to forest owners, helping with forest owner associations, or teaching youth about forests. Idaho Master Forest Stewards function as University of Idaho Extension volunteers, similar to Idaho Master Gardeners.

Those interested in becoming an Idaho Master Forest Steward should contact the UI Extension Office in Kootenai County at 208-446-1680 for program details and an application. These materials can also be downloaded atuidaho.edu/extension/forestry/panhandle/programs/master-stewards. Enrollment is limited to 20 people per training cohort. Idaho Master Forest Stewards applications are accepted continually, but for possible inclusion in the 2018 cohort of trainees, applications are due April 1.

For questions about the program, call Chris Schnepf at 208-446-1680.