Like in our farming and food systems, our post-modern and increasingly
localized southern mountain region is demanding a more sensitive and
sustainable approach to forest harvesting. A long time leader
in the struggle for equitable forest management in the Southern
Appalachians is the Healing Harvest Forest Foundation (HHFF).
Since 1999 HHFF has trained and supported hundreds of forest workers in
the practices of Restorative Forestry, with many achieving full
certification as Biological Woodsmen. The 501c3's newly
formed Restorative Forestry Institute (RFI) is furthering the way in
which the ground-level practitioners of community-based forest
restoration are educated and supported. In correspondence
with the interest in their communities', regional colleges and
universities also have sought to make available the information and
skills necessary to practice environmentally sensitive forest
management. Through collaborative partnerships RFI courses
range from introductory to advanced and credit hours are available with
several area schools. Instructors represent the best in the
field of hand crafted forestry and strive to make each student's
experience a life changing one. In conjunction with the
development of instructional courses Restorative Forestry Institute is building a
multi-disciplinary research faculty from around the region.
By combining instruction and research RFI is emerging as a world leader
in bio-cultural forest management.
Costs: $900
for instruction, lodging, meals and equipment
Schedule: Each
Friday for 17 weeks beginning January 16th.
Location:
Various instructional sites in the NC/VA High Country
Course Description:
This ground breaking and highly intensive offering from the Restorative
Forestry Institute of the Healing Harvest Forest Foundation seeks to
provide students initial exposure to the ground level work and
principles of restorative forestry. No experience is
necessary and scholarships are available. We will survey the
numerous approaches to forest management practiced in our bio-region
while familiarizing ourselves with the classic tenants of small scale
forest development. Building on these concepts we will delve
into the hard and soft skills of the daily work in progressive
forestcraft; such as eco-awareness, personal fitness, teamwork, tool
use and maintenance, tree selection and harvesting, work animal
husbandry, processing lumber and direct marketing Draftwood forest
products. Through a progression of readings,
lecture/discussion, laboratory observation and instruction and finally
student lead practicums we will provide each participant the
opportunity to gain personal hands on experience in the most vital role
of sustainable ecosystem development. Additional topics
include backcountry medicine, forest/farm interaction, and the forest
as art.
***If completed with merit this course will certify the participant as
an Apprentice Woodsmen with the HHFF/C and therefore preferred
eligibility for a Journeyman stay with a practicing Biological
Woodsman. Additional certifications include Wilderness First
Aid and CPR from S.O.L.O. Wilderness Medicine.***
Instructors include:
Jason Rutledge, Titled
Forester, Virginia Department of Forestry
President and Biological Woodsman, Healing Harvest Forest Foundation
Master
Horseman, farmer, and father of four
Eustace Conway, Director, Turtle Island Preserve
Master
Horseman, Long Rider, educator, woodsmen and woodworker
Ian Snider, M.A., Appalachian State University
Biological
Woodsman, Healing Harvest Forest Foundation
Wilderness
First Responder, SOLO Wilderness Medicine
Brent T. Cochran, M.B.A., Appalachian State University
Wilderness
Emergency Medical Technician, SOLO Wilderness Medicine
Farmer,
outdoor leader and instructor
***For a course application and syllabus email mtnworks@gmail.com
or call 828-266-3379 for more information.***
