With growing pressure to increase pace and scale of forest management and a shrinking pool of forestry professionals, forestry workforce development has become a critical issue in California. Join CLFA and various stakeholders for a workshop to discuss challenges and innovations in resource management workforce development, recruitment, and retention.
Register here: Eventbrite Registration Link and Mail In Registration
Workshop flyer: Flyer
California Licensed Foresters Association Fall Workshop Schedule
Thursday, November 16, 2023
All workshop attendees are welcome to join Thursday afternoon and evening activities. Student participations is especially encouraged.
12:00- 2:00 PM – SPI Mill Tour in Anderson, CA -- New Time
Cohosted by CLFA and the Forestry & Natural Resources Mentorship Program
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM – Student & Employer Mixer at the Gaia Hotel
Cohosted by CLFA and the Forestry & Natural Resources Mentorship Program Brita Goldstein, RPF #3061, CLFA VP & Education Committee Chair, Community Affairs Representative, Green Diamond Resource Company
Allison Erny, RPF #3081, Program Coordinator, Forestry & Natural Resources Career Mentorship Program
Friday, November 17, 2023
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM – Registration & Continental Breakfast
8:30 AM - 8:40 AM – Welcome & Introductions
Brita Goldstein, RPF # 3061, CLFA VP & Education Committee Chair, Community Affairs Representative, Green Diamond Resource Company
Session One – State of the California Forestry Workforce
8:40 AM - 9:30 AM – Introduction to Workforce Development & Forestry Experience Activity
Ricky Satomi, RPF #3121, Forest Advisor, Western Sierra Region, UC Cooperative Extension
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM – Past, Present, and Future of RPF Workforce
Dan Stapleton, RPF #2707, Licensing Officer, California Board of Forestry
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM – Break
Session Two – State of Forestry Education
10:15 AM - 10:30 – Educating Future Foresters in California
Dr. Erin Kelly, R RPF #3001, Forestry Dept Chair & Professor of Forestry, Cal Poly Humboldt
10:30 - 11:45 AM – Forestry Education Panel
Moderator: Dr. Erin Kelly
Panelists: Valerie Elder, Associate Professor of Forestry, College of the Redwoods
Renaldo Arroyo, Professor of Forestry, Bakersfield College
Josh Soderlund, Reedley College
Amber Lennon, Intern Forester & Master of Forestry Student, University of California, Berkeley
Dr. Samantha Gill, Cal Poly SLO
11:45 AM - 12:15 PM – Student Presentation
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM – Lunch
Session Three – Workforce Development Innovations
1:30 PM - 1:45 PM – Addressing Workforce Development Issues with Creative Solutions
Matt Dias, RPF #2773, Executive Director, California Forestry Association
1:45 - 3:00 PM – Workforce Development Innovations Panel
Moderator: Matt Dias
Panelists: Allison Erny, RPF #3081 Forestry & Natural Resources Career Mentorship Program
Courtney Cagle, Manager of Resilient Careers in Forestry, Foundation for California Community Colleges
Justin Britton, RPF #3054, Forester II, Wood Products & Bioenergy, CAL FIRE
Tony Jaegel, Vice President of Human Resources, Sierra Pacific Industries
3:00 PM - 3:30 PM – Innovations in the RPF Pathway (Training and Curriculum)
George Gentry, RPF# 2262, Senior Vice President, California Forestry Association
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM – Workshop Summary and Open Discussion (Q/A)
Brita Goldstein, RPF #3061, CLFA VP & Education Committee Chair, Community Affairs Representative, Green Diamond Resource Company
Ricky Satomi, RPF #3121, Forest Advisor, Western Sierra Region, UC Cooperative Extension
4:00 PM – Adjourn