The Woodland Advisor Program trains master volunteers to provide education to Minnesota citizens on forest ecology, wood products, and agroforestry issues. The program offers learning and leadership opportunities through a 45-hour training program and annual conference. It provides research-based, standardized curriculum delivered locally. Partners include private woodland councils, the Minnesota Forestry Association, and the MN DNR. The program aims for financial self-sufficiency and has impacts such as more education for landowners and a healthier forest land base.

1. Vital Forests and the Woodland Advisor Program Eli Sagor Regional Extension Educator [email_address] (612) 624-6948 Extension Citizens’ Advisory Committee

2. Public value Healthy, vibrant ecosystems Recreation and culture Economy: $7 billion from wood products

3. Woodland Advisor A master volunteer program offering learning and leadership opportunities around forest ecology, forest products, and agroforestry issues to the citizens of Minnesota.

4. Woodland Advisor 45 hours of training annual conference volunteer projects

5. Woodland Advisor Master Volunteer program 45 hours on: Forest ecology Wood products Agroforestry Woodland management

6. REE locations

7. 2001

8. 2002

9. 2003

10. 2004

11. REE locations

12. LEE REE Campus specialist

13. Extension’s unique role Research-based content: curriculum Standardized and local

14. Partner roles Local private woodland councils Minnesota Forestry Association MN DNR

16. Financial self-sufficiency Direct delivery expenses are fully paid through fees and contracts Working toward partial salary offset

17. Program impacts More education and information for landowners Citizen engagement More productive, healthy forest land base

18. Question : We’re trying to reach a huge and dispersed audience. Relationships and quality of instruction are paramount. How can we grow without sacrificing quality?