UNIVERSITY PARK  — “Woodland Stewardship: Guided Engagement with Your Land” is an instructor-guided synchronous online course offered through Penn State Extension for woodland owners looking to deepen their forest-care knowledge.

This course is intended to help participants create a healthy, sustainable forestland aligned with their values, whether for enjoyment, wildlife, hunting or timber harvesting. The course is designed for woodland owners or anyone interested in understanding forests and stewardship practices.

Live virtual sessions will be held every two weeks from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. starting Sept. 24 and ending Nov. 19.

In Pennsylvania, private forest landowners own 11.5 million acres, almost 70% of the state’s forests. Yet private lands are not necessarily well managed. Research shows that while woodland owners overwhelmingly want to do the right thing when it comes to taking care of their land, they often lack the knowledge and information to do so. Although this course focuses on Pennsylvania woods and landowners, much of the information applies to land in other states, particularly those in the Northeast.

The course includes educational videos, short readings and questions alongside printable handouts. Participants will interact with fellow learners and instructors through discussions and create a detailed map of their woodland property with guidance from educators over the course of five live sessions. Recordings will be available for those who miss live discussions.

Participants will learn practical, hands-on skills, as well as some “big picture” concepts related to woodland management. Topics include forest management techniques, tree identification and measurement, field data, water quality, protecting wildlife habitats, and legacy planning.

The course has eight sections, each ending with a short quiz requiring a 70% score or higher to earn a certificate of completion.

Participants will move through the course with their fellow learners, fostering a community of support and learning. The Penn State Extension forestry and wildlife team will provide expert guidance.

The registration fee is $135. More information is available on the Penn State Extension website. https://extension.psu.edu//woodland-stewardship-course.

For those interested in an asynchronous version of this course without live sessions, Penn State Extension also offers “Woodland Stewardship: Management Practices for Landowners.”