Source:  NCDA&CS, 7/23/19

The N.C. Forest Service is partnering on ForestHer NC, a new initiative created by conservation organizations in North Carolina, to provide women who are forest landowners with tools and training to help them manage their lands and become more engaged in forest stewardship. 

While 65 percent of private forestland In North Carolina is jointly owned by women, statistics indicate that women are significantly less likely to attend conventional landowner programs and participate in management activities. ForestHer NC aims to reverse this trend by offering programing tailored to women.

“Our goal is to create an opportunity for women to come together and learn not only from the offered programming, but also from each other,” said Jennifer Roach, district 11 forester with the N.C. Forest Service.

Women landowners and natural resource professionals interested in learning more are invited to attend one of three ForestHer NC workshops which will be held across the state in August. During the workshops, participants will learn about North Carolina’s forest ecosystems, identify the types of forests they own and/or manage, and understand the role their woodland plays in the greater landscape. Other topics include defining and balancing multiple land management objectives, obtaining a forest management plan, reading aerial photographs and topo maps and identifying resources available locally to help with land management. These three events in August are the first in a series of quarterly workshops offered regionally. 

“More women are making the primary decisions about their family farm and forest lands. Partnerships like ForestHer NC are an excellent way to engage these women landowners,” said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. 

ForestHer NC is sponsored by conservation organizations including the N.C. Forest Service, U.S Forest Service, N.C. Tree Farm Program, N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission, Audubon North Carolina, Wild Turkey Federation, N.C. State Extension, and the Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project. The August workshops will run from 9:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. and cost $25 per person. Pre-registration is required.

Workshops will be held on the following dates/locations:
• Aug. 8, 2019
Chatham County Center
1192 US 64 W Business
Pittsboro, NC
Register: https://aug8fhnc.eventbrite.com

• Aug. 22, 2019
Lenoir County Center
1791 Hwy 11/55
Kinston, NC
Register: https://aug22fhnc.eventbrite.com 

• Aug. 29, 2019
Burke County Center
130 Ammons Drive
Morganton, NC
Register: https://aug29fhnc.eventbrite.com