FIT: 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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Program Contact
Ariel Roughton Berkeley Forests Research Stations Manager E-mail: athomson@berkeley.edu |
Program NR Director
Glenn Gottschall US Forest Service Forester (retired) E-mail: glenngottschall@gmail.com |
Program Contact
Austin Roughton UC Cooperative Extension Forestry Education Coordinator E-mail: airoughton@ucanr.edu |
Program NR Director
Yana Valachovic UC Cooperative Extension Forest Advisor Telephone: 707-445-7351 E-mail: yvala@ucanr.edu |
FIT-Focus: Forest Disturbances
2024 Session Dates TBD
Are you a FIT Graduate?
Did FIT leave you with even more questions about forestry than you started with?
Reconnect with the FIT community and further your forest learning with FIT-Focus!
Did FIT leave you with even more questions about forestry than you started with?
Reconnect with the FIT community and further your forest learning with FIT-Focus!
This 3-day professional learning program for FIT program graduates explores forest disturbance issues (like fire and insects) in redwood and oak woodland ecosystems. Come connect with fellow educators and learn about the complexities of our state's forest ecosystem health and resilience.
FIT-Focus offers an opportunity to dive deeper into core ecological concepts through direct engagement with local experts. Join a team of natural resource specialists in an exploration of several ecosystems in Mendocino county (Anderson Valley & Hopland REC). Over the course of the program, our team of credentialed FIT instructors supports participants' professional learning through activities and pedagogy to cultivate connections between:
FIT-Focus participants are offered a $200 stipend for completion of a Curriculum Project during the school year and receive information about future FIT Teacher-Leader opportunities. |
Hopland Research and Extension Center Mendocino County
Fall 2024 (dates TBD) |
FIT Graduate Feedback
"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."