Low Impact Forestry Certificate for Veterans Offered at Sterling College

STERLING COLLEGE ANNOUNCES LOW IMPACT FORESTRY CERTIFICATE FOR VETERANS

—Vermont’s Environmental Stewardship College to Train Veterans in Sustainable Forestry—

Veterans face significant challenges in entering the civilian workforce, especially in natural resource based businesses. Both unemployment and underemployment remain high among New England’s veterans. To help solve this issue, Sterling College is offering a comprehensive certificate program in low impact forestry that will teach woodlot management from an ecological perspective.

“Sterling College is honored to be able to support veterans, and is committed to helping them achieve their educational and career goals,” said President Matthew Derr. “We look forward to working with veterans as they learn to manage woodlots sustainably, while giving them the tools they need to enter the forestry business sector and become environmental stewards.”

The certificate consists of four hands-on sessions taught throughout 2015 and 2016; two of those sessions are each one week long, and the second two will be completed over two weekends. Veterans will learn chainsaw safety and productivity, basic business skills and USDA compliance, draft horse management, tractor skills, and more.

Those who enroll in the course will be taught by practitioner faculty with extensive sustainable agriculture and forestry experience on the Sterling College campus. The College’s Rian Fried Center for Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems has nearly 400 acres of forested land. The Center also includes the Alfond Draft Horse Barn, hoop houses, and a sugar house for maple syrup production. All work is guided by a forest management plan and written by a forester.

As part of the certification process, students will also have the opportunity to complete a job shadowing session with professional loggers and woodlot managers throughout New England.

“It is critical that New England ensure that veterans have the opportunity to find fulfilling employment, as well as continued development and growth opportunities,” said Derr. “We look forward to welcoming more veterans on our campus to learn sustainable forestry.”

The cost for the certificate is $2300. All meals are included; however, participants are responsible for their own housing. Scholarships are available for veterans and veterans’ benefits may apply. The course is limited to ten students, so early application is encouraged. The deadline for registering is May 7. For more information, visit www.sterlingcollege.edu/academics/forestry-for-veterans-certificate.

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ABOUT STERLING COLLEGE

Founded in 1958 in Craftsbury Common, Vermont, Sterling College is the leading voice in higher education for environmental stewardship. The College was among the first colleges in the United States to focus on sustainability through academic majors in Ecology, Environmental Humanities, Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems, and Outdoor Education. Sterling College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges and is one of only seven federally recognized Work Colleges in the nation.

MEDIA CONTACT

Christian Feuerstein, Director of Communications, Sterling College

802.586.7711 x164 • cfeuerstein@sterlingcollege.edu