What kind of commitment is involved?
Apart from an investment in time and a commitment in spirit, there is no charge for the training. Upon completion of the program, you will be encouraged to take these four actions:
- With the help of a natural
resource professional, develop and implement a Forest Stewardship Plan or other type of forest management plan for your
woodlot.
- Maintain, for at least three
years, an up-to-date set of reference materials (provided by the project) and be
available to answer landowner questions or make referrals to natural resource
professionals.
- In conjunction with other
stewardship volunteers, make an active effort to reach out to landowners in your
community. This may include using your woodlot as a stewardship demonstration
area or visiting forest landowners to foster an interest in stewardship plans
for their properties.
- Work closely with a mentor, for example, a local Bureau of Forestry service forester, to help design and implement an outreach program reflecting your skills and interests. Submit an annual summary of stewardship outreach activities to the PA Forest Stewards Volunteer Program coordinator.
Volunteers will be able to attend periodic training sessions for appropriate technical and program updates. Hundreds and, ultimately, thousands of others can learn about good forest management through this network of informed woodland owners.
