Panhandle area forestry
Panhandle area forestry
Over 83% of Boundary, Bonner, Kootenai and Benewah counties are forested. UI Extension offers classes, workshops and other educational resources on forests for the Idaho Panhandle. Join our email list to receive up-to-date information on current forestry topics
Contact Chris Schnepf
Forest stewardship programs
UI Extension provides an annual series of workshops, field days and other educational activities titled Strengthening Forest Stewardship Skills offered at various locations and times. Visit the forestry programs website for more information.
Register online for UI Extension Panhandle Forestry programs. You can also print and mail the registration brochure associated with the desired event.
Related resources
Idaho Master Forest Stewards
The Idaho Master Forest Stewards (IMFS) program is a certified volunteer program and peer to peer learning community that provides educational assistance to help forest owners and others learn more about Idaho forestry. Visit the IMFS website to learn more.
Natural resource professionals
UI Extension provides local continuing education opportunities for foresters, loggers, teachers and other professionals. Individual programs may be developed specifically for professionals or simultaneously for advanced forest owners such as Idaho Master Forest Stewards. These activities usually offer Society of American Foresters’ CFE credits, Idaho pesticide credits, Idaho pro-logger credits or University of Idaho teacher credits, as appropriate.
Related resources
Family forests
Family forests are those owned and managed by individual families rather than the U.S. Forest Service, the State of Idaho or forest product companies. They are vital to the Idaho Panhandle for low elevation wildlife habitats, water quality, supply for local lumber mills, recreation and many other shared benefits.
Benewah County
- Total forested land: 485,460 acres (96% of county)
- Family forest land: 252,000 acres
- Number of family forest owners: 2,503 owners (more than 5 acres)
- Average annual family forest timber harvest: 34,669,806 bd. ft.
- Value of annual family forest timber harvest: $13,867,922 mill delivered, $20,801,884 milled products
Boundary County
- Total forested land: 636,861 acres (78% of county)
- Family forest land: 109,110 acres
- Number of family forest owners: 2,432 owners (more than 5 acres)
- Average annual family forest timber harvest: 23,576,207 bd. ft.
- Value of annual family forest timber harvest: $9,430,483 mill delivered, $14,145,724 milled products
Bonner County
- Total forested land: 911,288 acres (82% of county)
- Family forest land: 360,281 acres
- Number of family forest owners: 9,215 owners (more than 5 acres)
- Average annual family forest timber harvest: 55,997,451 bd. ft.
- Value of annual family forest timber harvest: $22,398,981 mill delivered, $33,598,471 milled products
Kootenai County
- Total forested land: 614,767 acres (77% of county)
- Family forest land: 260,264 acres
- Number of family forest owners: 9,513 owners (more than 5 acres)
- Average annual family forest timber harvest: 52,946,534 bd. ft.
- Value of annual family forest timber harvest: $21,178,614 mill delivered, $31,767,920 milled products