STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Describe the influence of local geology and topography on forest ecology.

 II.     Explain successional changes in the forest environment.

 III.    Identify the major overstory and understory plant species in the Rocky Mountain region.

 IV.     Describe the interactions of wildlife species and the forest environment.

 V.      Match terms associated with forest land location to the correct definition.

 VI.     List three reasons land location is a necessary forestry task.

 VII.    Select from a list the three methods of land survey systems found in the United States.

 VIII.   Match a list of subdivisions of the rectangular system of survey to a sketch.

 IX.     Determine the number of acres from a legal description by reading and by sketching.

 X       Match the terms associated with forest surveying to the correct definition.

 XI.     List two methods used to measure horizontal distances.

 XII.    List the types of tapes used in forest surveying.

 XIII.   List five guidelines to follow when reading a compass.

 XIV.    Demonstrate the ability to:  Develop pacing skill, Measure horizontal distance along a slope.

 XV.     Explain the importance of forest sampling.

 XVI.    Describe the advantages and disadvantages of fixed plot sampling and variable plot sampling.

 XVII.   Identify possible sources of bias in forest sampling.

 XVIII.  Describe and correctly use forest measurement tools.

 XIX.    Estimate the total volume and other stand characteristics based upon the forest sample.

 XX      Calculate and schedule the removal of a sustainable wood supply.

 XXI.    Describe the timber harvesting process.

 XXII.   Explain different timber harvesting techniques.

 XXIII.  Describe basic wildland fire behavior.

 XXIV.   Explain techniques used to minimize risk and damage due to wildfire.

 XXV.    Identify the major forest insects and diseases in the Rocky Mountain region.

 XXVI.   Describe techniques to prevent or minimize forest damage from insect and disease epidemics.

 XXVII.  Describe featured species habitat requirements.

 XXVIII. Describe the habitat requirements for species richness.

 XXIX.   Discuss the concerns associated with wildfire populations and the urban interface.

 XXX     Develop a management plan for a given forest area for specific landowner objectives.

 XXXI.   Schedule the activities needed to successfully complete the management plan.

 XXXII.  Identify components of a chain saw.

 XXXIII. Describe personal protective equipment.

 XXXIV.  Discuss maintenance activities.

 XXXV.   Remove and reinstall the bar and chain.

 XXXVI.  Correctly buck a log into sections.

 XXXVII. Correctly make a compression cut.

 XXXVIII.Describe three felling cuts.

 XXXIX.  Cooperate with a team to successfully complete a fuel-wood sale fundraiser.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      The Ecology of Forested Lands

 II.     Forest Land Location

 III.    Forest Measurement

 IV.     Forest Inventory

 V.      Timber Management

 VI.     Wildlife Presuppression

 VII.    Forest Insects and Diseases

 VIII.   Wildfire Habitat Management

 IX.     Forest Management Planning and Implementation

 X       Chain-saw safety and operation