2nd National Extension Nat Res Conference-Abstract 7

George D. Kessler and Larry Nelson; Extension Forest Resources, 272 Lehotsky Hall, Clemson University, Clemson, SC.; 864.656.4836; gksslr@clemson.edu.

In 1997 Clemson Extension Forest Resources initiated a two-prong educational effort to provide additional options to landowners for the management of their pine resources. While there was an interest by landowners for additional options, there was almost no interest from foresters to provide any options other than clearcutting followed by artificial regeneration or clearcutting followed by natural regeneration. Prior to the initiation of a training program, partnerships were developed with the State Forestry Commission and the Tree Farm Committee to be joint promoters of the training effort. The first phase of the effort was to educate foresters on uneven-age management. After a 3-day workshop we realized the problem was more than education. There was a need for practical field training in the application on uneven-age management. Additional partnerships were established with the U.S. Forest Service and 2 consultants to develop field training sessions. Two field training sessions have been held in the past 2 years. While forester training is one phase of this effort, an equally important but less emphasized option is landowner education about uneven-age management. A graduate student was employed to work with landowner associations to determine how to move landowners from interest in uneven-age management to actual application. Interviews with 100 landowners provided the background for a brochure addressing landowner concerns. We will cover problem identification, partnership development, reasons for each partnership, program development, program results, and plans for the future in what has become an increasingly important project in South Carolina. There are likely to be applications for all states.