Woodland Academy: Using Hand Tools to Manage Your Woods at Great Mountain Forest

Landowners, conservation practitioners, and woodland stewards can gain practical forest management skills during Woodland Academy: Using Hand Tools to Manage Your Woods on July 28 from 9 am to 4 pm at Great Mountain Forest.

This full-day workshop focuses on the safe and effective use of non-mechanized tools for woodland management. Participants will learn how hand tools can be used for tasks such as thinning small trees, controlling invasive plant species, and improving forest access while minimizing environmental impact. Through a combination of classroom instruction and field demonstrations, attendees will develop skills in tool selection, proper use, maintenance, and safety.

Led by Great Mountain Forest forestry staff, including Forester Emeritus Jody Bronson and Forester Kate Regan-Loomis, the course emphasizes practical stewardship techniques that can be applied to small-scale woodland projects and sensitive natural areas.

The workshop has been approved for two Connecticut Forest Practitioner continuing education credits. Participants should be prepared for extended time outdoors and must be able to walk on uneven terrain, stand for prolonged periods, and perform light physical activities. Outdoor conditions may include heat, insects, and rugged ground.

The course will take place at the historic Yale Camp within Great Mountain Forest, accessed through the forest’s West Gate on Chattleton Road off Canaan Mountain Road in Falls Village, CT. Detailed directions will be provided to registered participants.

Registration is $25 per person.

For registration and additional information, visit https://greatmountainforest.org/tools-to-manage-your-woods/.