Cornell Cooperative Extension

Steuben County
Master Forest Program

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Master Forest Owner Volunteer Program

  • Tuesday, March 21, 2023, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Tuesday, March 28, 2023, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Tuesday, April 4, 2023, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Tuesday, April 11, 2023, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Tuesday, April 18, 2023, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Tuesday, April 25, 2023, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
  • Tuesday, May 2, 2023, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

The CCE Master Forest Owner (MFO) volunteer program helps woodland owners learn about, manage, and enjoy their woods (www.CornellMFO.info). The MFO volunteers are trained by Cornell University Cooperative Extension to provide non-technical peer-to-peer support for woodlot owners through site visits to the owner’s property. This campus-based program started in 1993 and is administered through 5 CCE educators who serve as regional directors and me, the statewide director. One of the goals is to ensure there are MFO volunteers in each county who can assist other woodland owners.

We seek volunteers who:

  • Have experiences as the owner of wooded land. The ownership experiences of the volunteer are important, and the types of experiences aren’t critical. Parcel size is usually a couple acres up to several hundred acres.
  • Can participate in the 2023 online training from 6:30pm to 7:30pm for Tuesdays March 21 to May 2 (March 21, 28, April 4, 11, 18, 25, May 2). These one-hour discussions follow about three hours per week of online self-study. Volunteers should plan to attend a regional one-day field session in May-June on dates/locations TBD.
  • Have a commitment to volunteerism and willing to travel within the county to visit other woodland owners. Volunteers optionally work in pairs when they visit another landowner.
  • Can effectively communicate by email to receive and respond to visit requests and provide summary reports in a timely manner.

Please note that proficiency or technical skill in “forestry” is not a requirement. We provide a foundation of basic technical content through the online training (https://canvas.cornell.edu/courses/40112), field sessions, and annual refresher training events. 

The fee is $35 per person and $50 per couple which includes the full training and supplies and resources provided at the field session. Previously trained volunteers are also welcome at $18/person and $25/couple.

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Last updated March 9, 2023