Managing Woodlands Chainsaw SERIES for Women: Part 1

Conservation of wooded lands is rewarding, challenging work. For many women, the intimidating nature of the power tools behind much of the work (read: chainsaws) keeps them sidelined. Marbleseed, Michael Fields Agriculture Institute, and Wisconsin Women in Conservation are teaming up to address this confidence gap. Let’s get women landowners excited about managing their wooded acres! Join us to learn from arborist and educator Rebecca Seibel, and Natural Resources Educator Olivia Kovacs as they lead a two-part event.

The series’ first event is a free webinar held via Zoom on May 7th. This session will introduce participants to chainsaw basics, safe handling of power tools, working with NRCS, and identifying conservation concerns in the woods. This webinar will serve as a launching point to a second hands-on and in-person Field Day in Mount Horeb, WI.

The May 7th webinar is free to all. Due to the nature of the event Registration at the May 21^st field event is limited and will cost $100 per person. Arborist Rebecca Seibel, owner of Tree Spirit Consulting, and Olivia Kovacs, natural resources educator, will lead the trainings. The goal is to introduce women to the tools, skills, and equipment integral to woodland management. Participants will learn how to assess woodland health, identify invasive non-native species, and receive direct instruction on the safe and effective use of power tools, especially chainsaws. 

Please RSVP for the May 7 Free Webinar HERE.

Agenda

9:00 - Why we’re here, how we will engage

9:15 - Landscape Restoration: common resource concerns, practices to implement

9:30 - Legal considerations (private vs public property)

          – Safety, First Aid, Emergency Action plan

          – Zones of the saw

          – Work positioning

          – Looking at the tool and its parts

          – Cutting exercises

          – Precision cutting, intro to tree felling

11:45  - NRCS Info

12:00 - Optional extended time for Q&A

Most WiWiC events are free. To help support the cost of this and other events, please consider giving HERE.   Your generosity keeps WiWiC events accessible for all women who want to learn how to heal and protect the land.

About Wisconsin Women in Conservation

WiWiC s a state-wide collaborative effort led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in partnership with state and federal conservation agencies, local organizations, and other farm advocacy groups. WiWiC brings together Wisconsin's women landowners, farmers, farm workers, urban growers, and conservation professionals to connect and share about conservation practices, resources, and funding opportunities.

About Michael Fields Agricultural Institute

MFAI is a non-profit organization that has been cultivating resiliency through research, education, and policy work since 1984. With a broad coalition of public and private partners, The Institute supports farmers, food systems and communities in the Upper Midwest and beyond through a range of programs and initiatives. We believe agriculture can sustain both human and ecosystem health, while advancing food security, independence, and justice. Follow along on Instagram and Facebook for the latest news and events.

About Marbleseed

Formerly known as the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES), Marbleseed was established in 1995 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to supporting farmers in their transition toward sustainable, organic farming systems that are ecologically sound, economically viable, and socially just.