FIT-Focus: Fall 2024 Session Information
🌲Are you FIT Graduate or first-time participant?
🌲Want to learn more about the many aspects of forestry in California?
🌲Connect with the FIT community and further your forestry learning with FIT-Focus!
🌲Want to learn more about the many aspects of forestry in California?
🌲Connect with the FIT community and further your forestry learning with FIT-Focus!
FIT-Focus offers California educators the opportunity to dive deep into key ecological and management concepts through direct engagement with a team of natural resource specialists and instructors who facilitate unique field explorations. Participants will receive materials and targeted support to design a personal Curriculum Project related to the topics covered in each session.
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Plumas FIT-Focus | September 27-29
The Plumas FIT-Focus session is hosted at UC Berkeley's Forestry Camp and Baker Forest in Meadow Valley, CA.
This session is hosted in the Sierra Mixed conifer forest of Plumas County. Get familiar with the tools, techniques and metrics that foresters employ to assess forests and make informed stewardship decisions. Learn how to collect foundational forestry data using a range of tools, techniques and sampling methods, then work together to analyze and interpret the results. Make DIY forestry tools on a shoe-string budget for use with students and gain insight into forestry career paths. On-site lodging is provided in rustic bunkhouses and open-air cabins, each with rooms that accommodate up to two people. Bathroom and shower facilities are separate from sleeping quarters. Additional, space is available for tent/car/RV camping (these lodging options are limited). 
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Mendocino FIT-Focus | October 25-27, 2024
The Mendocino FIT-Focus session is hosted at the UC Hopland Research and Extension Center in Hopland, CA.
This session is hosted in the oak woodland and rangeland communities of Mendocino County. Explore the disturbance ecology and current issues facing these critically important ecosystems, and what land managers are doing to conserve them. Learn how natural resource professionals work to support watershed health and resilience, through field observation and data collection techniques related to fire, insects, disease and other disturbances. Make DIY forestry tools on a shoe-string budget for use with students and gain insight into forestry career paths. On-site lodging is limited to a main dormitory facility, with a communal kitchen and lounge area and two separate bunkroom spaces, each with multiple beds. Bathroom and shower facilities are located in main dormitory. Additional space is available around the dormitory for tent/car/RV camping. 
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FIT: 2025 Session Information
As of 2021, the Plumas FIT session is on hiatus.
Each FIT session is hosted at a unique forest setting for hands-on study of forest ecology and natural resources. Presenters and staff include science and environmental education curriculum specialists, public and private forest resource specialists, and forest activists.
Education curriculum is aligned across all four sessions with natural resource curriculum locally adapted to match each region's ecology.
Education curriculum is aligned across all four sessions with natural resource curriculum locally adapted to match each region's ecology.
El Dorado
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Tuolumne
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Shasta
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Humboldt
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Session Natural Resources Director
Ariel Roughton Berkeley Forests Research Stations Manager |
Session Natural Resource Director
Glenn Gottschall US Forest Service Forester (retired) |
Session Natural Resources Director
Christian Jordan UC Cooperative Extension Forest Advisor |
Program Natural Resources Director
Yana Valachovic UC Cooperative Extension Forest Advisor |
FIT Graduate Feedback
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"First off, I heartily appreciate that FIT exists. The extensive background information presented, in addition to the teaching tools that were shared. made for a comprehensively visual experience. I am inspired by the staff, fellow participants, and the forest, to teach and continue learning about forestry."
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"I feel FIT is a wonderful program. I can tell that a lot of time, thought and consideration has gone into how the program is structured. My knowledge and understanding of issues surrounding our forests has increased dramatically. I appreciated hearing from people in the field (loggers, forest service, researchers, environmentalists, park service people, forester, industry people, etc.). I feel better prepared to share what I know and to bring forestry to my students."
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"Loved seeing “forestry in action” (thinning, sawmill, managed plots). Also really enjoyed the facilitator led activities from PLT...I will hopefully use a lot of those. Also liked the networking and location."
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"I have never enjoyed a professional development like I did FIT. It was an amazing experience that nurtured me professionally and personally! Thank you!"
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"Forest Institute for Teachers is an amazing week-long training that will send you home with a plethora of information (I presented the materials they provide at the workshop) and the confidence to teach in-depth forest and Wet Projects to your students. At first, I questioned my choice of signing up for this conference during my summer break and was so glad I followed through with the decision. I am willing to wager a dinner to anyone from the GRS Workshop who attends FIT and doesn't feel it was a great learning experience. The total cost was $25 and they fed us the most delicious food. I tell people who have been on cruise ships that this is like a cruise in the forest. I would suggest that you sign up with the Sonora site only as I have not visited the others. Five stars for the hospitality and knowledge of instructors."