Students at Rutland Secondary School (RSS) were carving up a good time while learning about forestry.
On May 29, Tyler Welfing of Carvewell Creations stopped by RSS to teach about the industry and specifically to show the keen forestry students the tools of the trade.
Students gathered around while Welfing taught the art of chainsaw carving.
“We spent most of the day learning to do by doing,” said RSS forestry teacher Marshall Corbett.
After demos and learning, the students were able to gather hands-on experience with the carving equipment.
The RSS forestry program is a dual credit program that aims to teach students about forestry-related careers. It is focused on having students develop the practical hands-on skills required to work in the field – including how to yield a chainsaw.
In addition to course-based material, the program places an emphasis on developing practical knowledge in the outdoors.
Corbett works to ensure that forestry students obtain hands-on experience in the outdoors through trial and error. The skills garnered in the forestry program will transfer to a successful career in the industry, or whatever a student chooses to do in the future.
By the end of the program, the students are comfortable operating equipment like chainsaws and have experience in various aspects of forestry including problem tree removal, fuel mitigation and tree planting, explained Corbett.
The skills developed in the program will help students transition into forestry-related post-secondary programs or into a career in the industry which includes wildland firefighting, tree planting and working as a landscaper or arborist.
Students with an interest in forestry or who are keen on developing practical skills are invited to learn more and apply to the program at rss.sd23.bc.ca/rss-forestry-programs.
The program is open to students in Grades 11 and 12 across the Central Okanagan.
For more information, contact Marshall Corbett at Rutland Senior Secondary, 250-870-5110 or email Marshall.Corbett@sd23.bc.ca.
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