Queer Forestry and Fire Program '26

02/28/2026 09:00 AM - 04:00 PM PT

Description

Queer Forestry and Fire Program 2026

Saturdays, February 28th - April 4th, 2026

Ocean Song-Myers Preserve

in West Sonoma County

*Applications close January 20th

The Queer Forestry and Fire Program is a six-week training course in the basic skills, practices and implementation of hand tool focused forestry. This community-oriented opportunity will allow participants from all backgrounds and experience levels to cultivate a greater understanding and skillset in basic forestry practices, tree and other plant identification, proper hand tool use and maintenance, forest thinning protocols, knowledge of grassland ecosystems and their importance, proper burn pile formation and implementation, and prescribed burn unit preparation.

The program is designed to create a safe space for queer identifying persons to come together in a safe space for a project to restore a forest/grassland ecosystem and return good fire to the land.

Please see below for more specific program details!

Apply Here!

Through this community-centered opportunity, whatever your background or experience with forestry and fire, you will gain greater understanding and skills in the following:

Basic forestry practices
Tree and other plant identification
Proper hand tool use and maintenance
Forest thinning protocols
Knowledge of grassland ecosystems and their importance
Proper burn pile formation and implementation
Patch burn unit preparation
Seed and monitoring of units post-burn

Important Details

Dates: Saturdays, February 28 - April 4, 2026
Time: 9am to 4pm
Location: Occidental, California at Ocean Song-Myers Preserve
On the ancestral homeland of the Kashia Band of Pomo Indians and Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria - currently owned and stewarded by LandPaths. More specific details about location will be sent to confirmed participants.
Enrollment for this free training course closes on January 20th!

What You’ll Gain

Basic forestry skills using hand tools
An understanding of Slow Restoration
Stewardship for the promotion of ecological restoration and biodiversity
Fuel reduction for wildfire mitigation and preparing a prescribed burn unit
Proper tree felling, limbing up, and burn pile formation and implementation in different ecosystems
Basic plant identification and ecology
Grass ID and seed collection
Burn pile and patch burn experience (learn more about LandPaths’ Good Fire Program here)
Hands-on lessons in forestry and fire ecology
Discussion of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)/Indigenous science, including discussion of cultivation of culturally significant plants
Tools, gloves, cotton t-shirt for burning and snacks will be provided for the duration of the workshop
Community resources
Opportunity to apply for the 2026 Queer/BIPOC chainsaw training hosted in collaboration with Fire Forward

What You’ll Need to Participate

Transportation to and from the project site in Occidental
Basic gear such as boots, backpack, water bottle, lunch (some simple snacks will be provided)
Plenty of water for drinking (up to one gallon a day)

Things to Know

You must apply for this program. It is expected that you attend all 6 dates if accepted, and reach out asap if you must cancel registration as this program has an attendee limit.
This course is taught in English.
We do expect that you have basic wilderness skills including the ability to hike up to 5 miles, the ability to lift heavy logs and use tools, situational awareness, punctuality, and a willingness to learn.
Each Saturday project session will focus on a specific project site with a focus on developing skills at the site.
Application submissions close on January 20th.
You will be expected to provide your own transportation to/from the preserves, which are located west of Occidental.
Carpooling is encouraged and we can help support participants to arrange carpools.

For Questions:

Please email lara@landpaths.org with any questions. We hope to see you out on the land soon!