Southern Research Station Releases Online Upland Hardwood Silviculture Course
Asheville, NC
Southern Research Station (SRS) Director Jim Reaves today unveiled a new online course, titled “Upland Hardwood Silviculture,” for foresters and other natural resource professionals interested in the field of upland hardwood management. The course is available at: http://conted.warnell.uga.edu/online-courses/upland-hardwood-silviculture/.
"The Southern Research Station is pleased to offer this opportunity to share the wealth of information captured in this course,” said Reaves. “This is an exciting way for us to reach new audiences and meet the needs of existing and new customers."
The course, conducted by the SRS Upland Hardwood Ecology and Management unit, provides practicing foresters with information about current silvicultural practices and emerging issues based on research and applied techniques that affect managing upland hardwoods. Based on the face-to-face course offered at the Bent Creek Experimental Forest near Asheville, NC since 1991, the online course is designed for professional foresters working in upland hardwood ecosystems. It will also benefit wildlife professionals, natural resources managers, and educators.
”Upland Hardwood Silviculture” features seven modules with 16 topics presented by university and Forest Service leaders, including David Loftis, who has led U.S. Forest Service research on oak regeneration for over a quarter of a century. Modules include management objectives, site classification, stand management, regeneration, forest health, restoration of American chestnut, and wildlife. Certified foresters who successfully complete modules are eligible to earn 15 category 1 Society of American Foresters continuing forestry education (CFE) credits.
“As budgets continue to tighten at many agencies, the need for distance learning increases,” said Katie Greenberg, project leader at the Upland Hardwood Ecology and Management research unit. “While the value of hands-on learning in the classroom and in the woods can never be fully replaced, this online upland hardwood course can provide important information to private and public foresters who cannot attend in person. The course extends the reach of Forest Service and university scientists and managers to new audiences.”
The course is free of charge. To register, go to http://conted.warnell.uga.edu/online-courses/upland-hardwood-silviculture/. The introduction section provides information about earning CFEs, which will be managed through the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.
For more information, contact Claire Payne at cpayne@fs.fed.us or by phone at 828-257-4392.
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