Description

Course description

Whether you own property with woodlands, steward woodlands, or are looking to buy wooded property and wish to learn more about forest management, the Minnesota Woodland Steward program can help you on your journey. Family forest owners and forest caretakers will learn the ins and outs of forest health, timber harvesting, management for recreation and wildlife, estate planning, tax incentive programs, and more.

This course offers a flexible design with both in-person and virtual learning. You can expect:

• 1 - 2 hours of self-paced reading and assignments each week. Fourteen online modules contain pre-recorded videos, exercises, and group discussions.
• 3 online meetings on Zoom. Gain direct access to Extension and local forestry experts, and share your own knowledge and experience with your peers.
• 3 in-person field tours. See woodland stewardship projects firsthand, where instructors and natural resource professionals will guide your visit and answer your questions.

Minnesota Woodland Steward covers a comprehensive range of woodland topics. After completing the course, participants will be able to:

• Consider the different reasons and ways to manage woods and wildlife.
• Identify common native trees and invasive plants.
• Select appropriate trees for a woodland and know how to plant them.
• Map a woodland and conduct a tree inventory.
• Meet and talk with local natural resources professionals.
• Discuss financial considerations of land ownership (including timber marketing, tax incentives and estate planning) with family and financial/tax advisors.
• Develop specific actions that will provide a path to leaving the land in a better condition for future generations.
• Serve as a mentor to other private woodland owners and stewards.

Registration waiver for Tribal Members

University of Minnesota Extension acknowledges we have an obligation to Tribal nations and their citizens to reduce barriers to participation in our programs and access our services. We are committed to strengthening our relationships with Tribal nations and their citizens and continue to take meaningful actions toward meeting our responsibility. Therefore, we are waiving the fees associated with the Minnesota Woodland Steward program for Tribal Members.

Sliding scale pricing

The Minnesota Woodland Steward program is deeply committed to the well-being and flourishing of all communities. To make our programming accessible to a broader audience, we have implemented a sliding scale fee structure.

The registration fee for this program is $295. We also offer a scholarship rate of $150, and a supporter rate of $395 for those who would like to contribute toward making this programming accessible to all.

We do not want cost to be a barrier to participating in our programming. If you are not able to pay one of the listed registration fees, please reach out to us at stock523@umn.edu. We will arrange for you to participate in the program at a reduced fee or at no cost.

Family participation

If participating as a family, only one member from each family needs to register, and you will gain one account to access Canvas.

Need help?

Get help with online learning

Review our self-help guide for registration and online course access questions.

Event Contact

Emily Dombeck, edombeck@umn.edu, 612-624-8165

Registration questions

Extension Registration, ext-reg@umn.edu

If you experience difficulties logging in

Contact the University of Minnesota IT Help Line at 612-301-4357. Please mention you are using a "guest account," to register for a non-credit Canvas course.