Exploring the Forest Operations Specialist Role andOpportunities in Forestry

Get ready for a deep dive into the world of forestry andworkforce development with Ryer Becker, a passionate advocate for the industry and a Forest Operations Specialist at the University of Idaho. In this episode, Ryer shares his journey into forestry, detailing how his career path led him to this impactful role. From his early inspirations to the unique challenges he has faced and his successes , Ryer provides an inside look at what it takes to bridge academic expertise with boots-on-the-ground forestry operations.

We explore the opportunities within the forestry sector and how programs like Ryer’s at the University of Idaho are paving the way for the next generation of industry professionals. Ryer discusses the disconnect between workforce development programs and how industry leaders can better engage with young minds to showcase rewarding careers in forestry and logging. Additionally, we examine the broader narrative around education and how forestry can emerge as a compelling alternative to traditional college pathways.

Thinking regionally, we ask Ryer about the potential toreplicate the program in other states and what lies ahead for his work in Idaho. Finally, Ryer shares how listeners can support his mission, connect with his work, and inspire the future of forestry. Don’t miss this insightful conversation packed with actionable ideas and inspiration for anyone passionate about education, sustainability, and the great outdoors.

Tune in and join the conversation!

Email: rbecker@uidaho.edu

LinkedIn

Instagram

https://www.uidaho.edu/cnr/departments/forest-rangeland-and-fire-sciences

https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry

Marie Price is the Director of Learning and Development forthe Idaho Forest Group (IFG). Marie is considered by many to be the 'Champion for Workforce Development' in Idaho's forest products sector. She is working with many others in Idaho to expose and recruit young people to the numerousgreat jobs available in the sector. In this episode of The Stump, Marie joins us to talk about some of the various workforce development events and projects underway in Idaho.

To connect with Marie on workforce issues, her email is marie.price@ifg.com

To learn more about Idaho Forest Group: https://ifg.com/

Other Resources:

Blake Manley and Manley Jobs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-manley-4a1201253

North Idaho College: https://www.nic.edu/apprenticeship/logging-equipment-operator-/

University of Idaho: https://www.uidaho.edu/cnr/departments/forest-rangeland-and-fire-sciences

Blake Manley returns to the stump to discuss his latest efforts on workforce development. He discusses the new North Idaho College Logging Equipment Operator Apprenticeship Program, which is available for students age 18 and older. Blake also shares with us some of the other efforts he is working on, such as "Workforce Unfiltered," which can be found on Facebook and TikTok.

Logging Equipment Operator Apprenticeship Program

Manley Jobs on YouTube

Manley Jobs on Instagram

Please remember to like and rate the podcast. It helps us reach a wider audience and promote the forest management and forest products sector.

Hilary Franz, the former Commissioner of Public Lands for the state of Washington, joins The Stump to discuss her time leading the Department of Natural Resources. Hilary was elected to the Office of Commissioner in 2016 and served from January 2017 to January 2025. During this time, she worked on a variety of issues, from forest health and wildfire prevention and suppression to completing the Long Term Conservation Strategy for the Marbled Murrelet on DNR-managed state trust lands and overseeing the Forest Practices program, and advocating in the state legislature for a variety of initiatives from carbon to aquatics. Hilary did not run for re-election in 2024 and is taking some time to reenergize.

If you enjoyed this episode of the podcast and want to hear more from Hilary, please like this episode and drop us a comment on one of our social media platforms.

To learn more about DNR, you can visit https://dnr.wa.gov

To learn more about The Stump please visit https://thestump.io

Blake Manley of Manley Jobs joins The Stump in this episode to discuss his work and advocacy for workforce development in the forestry sector. Widely known for his Manley Jobs videos on YouTube, he has been featured on Fox and Friends and many other media outlets. He started this endeavor in 2020 when he was a teacher at Sweet Home High School in Oregon. Remote learning led to the need to find a new way to engage with students.

You can connect with Blake through the following links:

YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@Manleyjobs

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/manleyjobs

TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@manleyjobs2

Season 2 is finally here.

In this episode of The Stump, Jim Petersen joins us. Jim is a co-founder of the non-profit Evergreen Foundation and publisher of Evergreen, the Foundation’s periodic journal.

The Mission of the Evergreen Foundation is "Our mission is to advance public understanding and support for science-based forestry and forest policy by providing clear and concise facts and commentary. We endorse long term, active forest management for healthy forests and productive communities. Our approach is to engage opinion leaders, decision-makers, community leaders, and community members in the discussion and support of healthy, productive, resilient forests."

Listen in on how Jim got involved in this project and his thoughts about the need for sustainable forest management.

You can support Jim's work by subscribing to the magazine or donating to the foundation. Links can be found on the website linked below.

Connect with Evergreen and Jim :

Website:https://evergreenmagazine.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/EvergreenMagazine

X:https://x.com/evergreen_fnd

Ken Bevis is a Stewardship Fish and Wildlife Biologist with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. A self-proclaimed “nature troubadour”, he is also a musician known for using songs to tell stories and educate on forestry and wildlife management.

Ken joins The Stump to discuss his career, the work he does with small forest landowners, and his music. Ken has over thirty years of experience in forestry and wildlife management. Over that time, he worked for the Virginia Division of Forestry, the US Forest Service, and the Yakama Indian Nation. Much of that work was related to the Northern Spotted Owl.

Today, he works for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and travels the state to teach landowners how to improve wildlife habitats on their properties. Much of his work is focused on the more fire-prone areas of Eastern Washington. He has a wealth of knowledge and energy, and his trusty guitar is usually found nearby.

To contact or to learn more about Ken’s work and music, please visit:

Ken.Bevis@dnr.wa.gov

WA DNR Small Forest Landowner Office (SFLO): https://www.dnr.wa.gov/sflo

WA DNR Small Forest Landowner Assistance Portal: https://www.dnr.wa.gov/LandownerAssistancePortal

Ken’s Music and Shows: https://kenbevis.com/

krbevis@methownet.com

Oak Rankin, Executive Director of Glacier Peak Institute, joins The Stump in this episode. Also referred to as GPI, the organization is based in Darrington, Washington. Volunteers and community organizations formed the Darrington Youth Outdoor STEM Pilot Project after the deadly 2014 Oso Landslide. This grew into the Glacier Peak Institute.

Today, GPI continues to work with youth through their "innovative, action-based education programs integrating Science, Technology, recreation, Engineering, art, Mathematics, and skill-building." A program they refer to as STrEaMs.

Oak and I discuss GPI and the challenges and opportunities that rural natural resource-dependent communities like Darington face. Like many Pacific Northwest communities, Darrington, was negatively impacted by the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) adopted in 1994. The NWFP brought significant socio-economic harm to these communities, many of which are still trying to recover today. Programs like Oak's are a critical tool for providing education, mental health support, and a sense of future for many of the youth they work with.

You can connect with Oak and the Glacier Peak Institute via the links below:

Website: https://www.glacierpeakinstitute.org/

Email: info@glacierpeakinstitute.org

Mail: PO Box 225 Darrington, WA 98241

Phone: (360) 436 6445