Forestry herbicide class is being held in Sandpoint

Forestry efforts to manage plants that impede reforestation or degrade forest biodiversity rely primarily on cultural techniques. But sometimes a discrete herbicide application can make all the difference in such efforts, particularly on challenging sites or where invasive species are a serious problem.

A seven-hour workshop titled Safely Using Herbicides in Forestry is designed to give forest owners and natural resource professionals an introduction to when and where herbicides can be considered as part of a forest management strategy and how to safely and effectively use herbicides in a forest environment. Topics to be covered include: herbicides for reforestation, forest brush control/conifer release, spraying for noxious weeds in forest environments, the fate of herbicides in forest environments, reading and interpreting pesticide labels, and Idaho laws related to herbicide applications in forests. The program will conclude with field activities on calibrating and using backpack sprayers and herbicide application safety tools.

Safely Using Herbicides in Forestry will be held on Friday, March 27, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the University of Idaho Sandpoint Center for Organic Agriculture, 10881 N Boyer Road in Sandpoint. The program can accommodate a limited number of people. Those wishing to participate should pre-register at the University of Idaho Extension office in Bonner County by Friday, March 20.

A $20 registration fee ($22 for online registration with a credit card) covers handouts and refreshments. For registration questions, contact the University of Idaho Extension Office in Bonner County at (208) 263-8511. Registration forms can also be downloaded at www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry/calendar. The program is eligible for five Idaho pesticide license re-certification credits, six Society of American Foresters continuing forestry education credits, and seven Idaho Pro-Logger continuing education credits. The program is co-sponsored by University of Idaho Extension, the Idaho Department of Lands, and the U.S. Forest Service.