On-line Learning Opportunities
VFLEP provides a number of on-line learning opportunities for forest landowners across the US.
On-line Woodland Options for Landowners
On-line Woodland Options is a 12-week self-paced course (March 5 - May 25, 2012) which teaches the basics of forest management. Upon completion of the program, you will have a draft forest management plan. Natural resource professionals serve as class mentors and the semester winds up with an optional hands-on field trip. The field trip is typically held in an historically significant forest (such as the one at James Madison's Montpelier, or McCormick Farm).
Close to 1,000 landowners across the US have participated in this class.
The 2012 On-line Woodland Options for Landowners class began on March 5, 2012. Registration for 2012 is now closed.
On-line Woodland Options Students identify trees during the hands-on field trip at McCormick Farm in May, 2011.
Virginia's Links to Education About Forests Learning Modules
These on-line training programs are available year-round and free of charge. Each module is approximately 30 minutes long and suitable for landowners, natural resource professionals, Master Naturalists and SHARP Loggers*. Current topics include:
- Laws Affecting Water Quality and Forestry Operations in Virginia
- Protecting Water Quality with Best Management Practices in Virginia
- Virtual Courthouse Tour
- A Search Indeed: How to Conduct a Property Deed Search
- Basic Chainsaw Safety and Directional Felling
- Basic Timber Cruising - Timber Inventory and Assessment
- Ethics in Forestry: History and Current Practices
We are continuously expanding our offerings of on-line training. Some of these have been developed in conjunction with the Virginia SHARP Logger and Virginia LEAF Programs.
*Each module qualifies for 0.25 - 0.5 SAF Category 1 CFE Credits for SAF Certified Foresters (a small fee is required to receive credit). They also qualify for continuing education for Virginia Master Naturalists.