Working Lands Forestry Educator

Job Summary:

The Forestry Outreach Educator positions will work with family forest owners statewide. This role is housed in the Natural Resources Institute (https://naturalresources.extension.wisc.edu/) within UW-Madison’s Division of Extension (https://extension.wisc.edu/).

The Natural Resources Outreach Specialist designs, promotes, administers, and supports outreach activities, community engagement, and educational programming. This unique statewide role will work with WI Department of Natural Resources and an advisory panel to guide forestry outreach that is intended encourage underserved landowners to adopt and adapt woodland management. Both positions are based on a 2-year contract, renewable pending funding. The two locations available for this position generally include Fox Valley and the western/northwestern part of the state. Initial programming focus for the 2 positions will be split based on the skills of each finalist, and will include:

• Coordinate and deliver outreach programs to underserved landowners with limited management experience and connect landowners to foresters for technical advice, particularly with a climate change perspective.
• Development of a program strategy and outreach plan with advisory panel and Extension team.
• Implementation and evaluation of outreach for landowners to educate them about climate change, adaptation, and mitigation within woodlands.
• Schedule logistics and facilitate communication with DNR and an advisory panel to support the climate project.
• Conduct training programs for DNR and Cooperating Foresters regarding integrating climate actions into management plans.
• Meet with DNR and key partners to evaluate progress, accomplishments, and barriers of the climate project. Provide support to the DNR Private Forestry Program on related projects.
• Evaluate the success of the project and identify any future funding needs or ideas for additional grant opportunities connected to this project.
• Coordinate and deliver working lands outreach programs for landowners and connect landowners to foresters for technical advice.
• Implementation and evaluation of outreach for landowners to educate them about agroforestry, timber products, non-timber forest products (initial focus on maple syrup), and income opportunities.
• Conduct training programs for natural resources managers regarding agroforestry and maple syrup management.
• Meet with DNR and key partners to evaluate progress, accomplishments, and barriers of outreach work.
• Evaluate the success of the project and identify any future funding needs or ideas for additional grant opportunities connected to this project.
• Work with the Regional Natural Resource Educators to fulfill funding partners requirements around other outreach and education.

The Division of Extension has a deep and profound commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values are foundational elements to eliminate disparities and expanding access for all. As Extension, we acknowledge the need for strategic and coordinated actions that help us form a more equitable, anti-racist, non- biased, and inclusive organization. (https://blogs.extension.wisc.edu/oaic/call-to-action/). As such, all Extension employees are expected to foster and promote the values of diversity and inclusion.