| Successes and Current Activities: |
Mr. Brooks is one of two Extension Educators who focus on forestry education in Extension District 1. The target audiences for Mr. Brook’s programs include professional foresters, loggers, and family forest owners in Latah, NezPerce, Clearwater, Lewis, and Idaho Counties. He provides subject matter training through workshops, short courses, hands-on tours, by being a guest speaker for on-campus classes, and through newspaper and newsletter articles. Almost 300 people attend at least one of Mr. Brook’s classes/workshops annually. Currently, a number of the lumber mills in northern Idaho purchase their logs only from loggers who have received certification through the Idaho Sustainable Forests Act. They earn recertification credits by attending Mr. Brooks’ Forest Stewardship classes. Mr. Brooks also focuses on youth natural resources education. Through workshops and camps such as the Clearwater Forest and Farm Tour, the Teachers’ Forestry Tour (teachers can earn academic credits), and the 6th Grade Forestry Tour, Mr. Brooks has taught hundreds of children, parents, and teachers about forestry, water quality, and sustainable use of Idaho’s natural resources. In partnership with the Idaho County Community Development Extension Educator he secured $43,000 in Craig-Wyden funding to enhance these efforts. |
