Over the past couple of years, WPEFC has delivered training for consultants, field staff and others involved in whitebark and limber pine restoration. These courses provide field training and reference material tailored to whitebark and limber pine recovery.

Previously, these have been organized as two-day workshops, with a limited number of participants per session due to robust Covid-19 health and safety protocols. This year, maximum enrollment is up (we will continue to follow health and safety guidelines), and for non-profit training, there is an option of either one or two days. With the first day covering a general knowledge overview, and the second day for those interested in collecting detailed field data.

Participants will gain competency and a certificate issued by WPEFC demonstrating a consistent level of knowledge and technical skills required to support endangered whitebark and limber pine recovery.

Training and field experience directed by experts is essential to be able to collect accurate data that meets the requirements of recovery; without this competency, inaccuracies lead to ineffective, costly actions and decisions with negative long-term consequences for these keystone ecosystems. Two of these sessions will be tailored to professionals providing consulting services, one will be tailored to non-profits managing one or both of these species on their lands. Whichever one you choose, you will cover material such as:

• Understanding the impacts of threats on these species and ecosystems
• Overview of recovery program including regulatory information
• Differentiating Whitebark and Limber pine in the field
• Identifying white pine blister rust and mountain pine beetle damage on five-needled pines
• Learning why rust ID is a key part of endangered species recovery
• Learning how to select plus trees in the field based on potential rust resistance
• Recording complete and accurate data in the field for trees or long-term monitoring plots
• Learning about collecting, handling, and transporting cones

Last year, we scheduled two professional and one non-profit training session. These were very well-received, despite conditions that made the field season quite challenging. So for 2022, we are offering an additional 3 field-training sessions: 1 in SW Alberta in June, and 2 in British Columbia, one in May and one in July. We are also considering additional sessions or taking names for next year’s courses, if there is demand.

Training Sessions will be held in:

Alberta – Crowsnest Pass or Porcupine Hills

• June 20/21 (non-profits) — one day June 20, or both

British Columbia – Rocky Mountains (TBD, dependent on weather), likely Kimberley and McBride areas

• May 30/31 (consultants/professionals)
• July 18/19 (indigenous/government – TENTATIVE)

Registration fees:

Professional = $650 / Members $575

Non-profit = $300 / Members $250 (2 days)

Non-profit = $200 / $150 (1 day)

Indigenous & Government = Contact Us for rates