Registration for the Fall 2024 Queer Forestry and Fire session is open!
Details
Who: The Queer Forestry and Fire Program is a free training course for LGBTQIA+ identifying folks between the ages of 18 to 40 from all backgrounds and experience levels to cultivate a greater understanding and skillset in basic forestry practices and slow ecosystem restoration methodology. It will be a safe space to come together to work towards restoring a forest/grassland ecosystem and return good fire to the land.
Dates: Saturdays, October 5 – November 9, 2024
Time: 9am to 4pm
Location: Preserves stewarded by LandPaths in West Sonoma County and Healdsburg, CA.
Registration Closing Date: Enrollment closes on October 1. Upon registration, you’ll be contacted to schedule a brief phone interview/check in with the group facilitator prior to the start date.
Cost: Free
Highlights
- Basic forestry skills using hand tools
- An understanding of Slow Restoration
- Stewardship for the promotion of ecological restoration and biodiversity
- Fuel reduction for wildfire mitigation and preparing a prescribed burn unit
- Proper tree felling, limbing up, and burn pile formation and implementation in different ecosystems
- Basic plant identification and ecology
- Grass ID and seed collection
- Burn pile and patch burn experience (learn more about LandPaths’ Good Fire Program here)
- Hands-on lessons in forestry and fire ecology
- Stewardship experience in tending and harvesting informed by Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)/Indigenous science, including discussion of cultivation of culturally significant plants
What You’ll Need to Participate
- You will be expected to provide your own transportation to/from the preserves, which are located west of Occidental and northwest of Healdsburg respectively.
- Basic gear such as boots, backpack, water bottle, lunch (some simple snacks will be provided)
- Plenty of water for drinking (up to one gallon a day)
Additional Helpful Info
- Tools, gloves, cotton t-shirt for burning and snacks will be provided for the duration of the workshop
- This course is taught in English.
- Each Saturday project session will focus on a specific project site with a focus on developing skills at the site.
- If you are over 40 years old, identify as LGBTQIA+ and feel called to participate, please reach out to [email protected] about applying.
- Carpooling is encouraged and we can help support participants to arrange carpools.
Questions?
Contact Lara O’ Herlihy at [email protected] or (707) 544-7284. Check out the FAQ sheet below for answers to commonly asked questions about the program!
