Do You Want to Learn More About Your Woodlands?
Let WWOA Show You the Way!
Do you feel like you could get more out of your WWOA membership? Do you miss the time to talk and engage with fellow WWOA members during the winter? Come join our new Woodland Mentor Program, while learning with and talking to other WWOA members from the comfort of your home! Whether you are new to WWOA or are a life member, this is for you. We are so excited to get you started and share with you this special member-only program.
WWOA receives 2020 grant funding
WWOA is proud to have been awarded a grant from the UW Center for Cooperatives in 2020. We were able to increase the number WWOA Forestry Leader scholarships for 2020 – 2021. Traditionally we offered one per academic year, but with the grant we are able to offer TWO additional scholarships.
We were also able to purchase woodland books and publications for all participants for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 programs. These are sent out as welcome and graduation packages. A helpful timber tax workshop was also offered to participants in 2020-21 and 2021-22. Read more about the first year of the program in the Wisconsin Woodlands summer 2021 article. Read more about the second year of the program in the Wisconsin Woodlands summer 2022 article.
WWOA Woodland Mentor Program
WWOA has created a mentor program for new members joining our organization. This program is designed to help new members learn more about the benefits of WWOA, help find options for their woodlands, share information on caring for their land, and inform them of services and programs available to woodland owners. New members will be paired up with an existing WWOA member to help achieve the goals of the program and guide them through important landowner topics. Partners will be able to meet in person for the 2021-22 program, while following WWOA’s and the CDC’s current guidelines. A visit to the mentor’s property by the inexperienced member sometime during the program is encouraged to share what woodland practices have been used and to share hands-on learning experiences. Some mentors and inexperienced members choose to walk each other’s property to learn even more.
Woodland Mentor Program 2021-22 participants Kay Searfoss (Mentor) and Sarah Kubesh (Aspen) had the opportunity to walk Kay and Geary Searfoss’s woodland in Sawyer County at the closure of the 2021-22 program year. Pictured is Kay Searfoss, Sarah Kubesh, and Sarah’s husband Rod standing near a vernal pond on the Searfoss woodland.
Some goals of the program include:
- Help new members feel welcome within WWOA.
- Ensure that new members feel comfortable engaging in the WWOA network and becoming active at the chapter level.
- Engage new members in learning about the variety of resources available to assist them in caring for their woods.
- Encourage new members to consider their long-term goals and objectives for their woodlands.
Deadline to Apply for the 2022-23 program is October 15, 2022!
New members encouraged to Participate!
New members can fill out our fillable Woodland Mentor Program – New member Interest form so we can best match you with a knowledgeable and experienced WWOA Mentor. Get started on your WWOA journey, today!
New Member Interest Form
*If you have specific mentor requirements, state them on the form.
Once you fill out the form, save it and send it to volunteer.wwoa@gmail.com.
If you wish to print the form and mail it to WWOA that is acceptable as well! Address to:
Are you a natural teacher? Come share your woodland experience!
Help another WWOA member learn about their woods. Volunteer mentors will be provided training on the WWOA organization, goals of the mentor program, how to be a good listener, and program parameters. Mentors are encouraged to have a range of experience and knowledge about sustainable woodland management using the WWOA module topics outlined below.
If this sounds like you, fill out the form below!
Mentor Interest Form
Once you fill out the form, save it and send it to volunteer.wwoa@gmail.com.
If you wish to print the form and mail it to WWOA that is acceptable as well! Address to:
What will you be learning about?
WWOA has created 10 landowner topics for mentors and new members to have discussions about and for the new member to learn a little about each topic. Each module will be presented by mentors in a matter of communication that is preferred by the new member and mentor. Below are the topics of each of the 10 modules:
- What is WWOA?
- Safety in the Woods
- Sources of Professional Advice and Financial Assistance
- Assessing your Woodland
- Setting Realistic Goals/Objectives and Establishing a Management Plan
- Other Forest Benefits
- Tax consequences of owning, operating and transferring woodlands.
- Timber Stand Improvement, Harvesting and Afforestation/Regeneration of Forests
- Forest Health
- Continuing Your Legacy