Louisiana Forestry Association > Training

Louisiana Forestry Association - CLE Course Descriptions

Continuing Education Programs
The following are workshops made available by the Louisiana Sustainable Forestry Initiative Committee. Workshops and seminars presented by Louisiana Tech University, LSU Agricultural Center, Northwestern State University, LSU at Alexandria and other universities are accepted for the hours rated by the continuing education departments of those universities.
Reading Your GPS and GoogleEarth
Logging planning and forest management involve many complicated decisions. The use of remote sensing and global positioning system (GPS) receivers can improve the quality of these decisions while saving time. This workshop teaches about some web-based remote sensing programs that are available free of charge, and how a logger can use these programs to learn critical information about a tract of timber before visiting the site. Participants are also taught the fundamentals of GPS and gain familiarity by performing hands-on exercises with GPS receivers (basic GPS receivers are used in the class, but participants are encouraged to bring their own). To encourage learning, exercises are conducted outdoors and are related to recreational activities, such as fishing, hunting and geocaching (for an explanation of geocaching see www.geocaching.com), but the principles are transferred to business applications.
Media Relations
This fast paced workshop presented by LSU Agricultural Center Communications Department recognizes the need for correct responses by the forestry/logging professional in dealing with the media. The workshop covers key message development and responses to queries, along with demonstrations of bad interviews and good interviews. Case assignments are used to develop the responses to queries in various scenarios of forestry operations. (CFE-3hrs in category 2, CLE-3hrs)
Forest of Exceptional Conservational Value
This program meets the need for an awareness level understanding of the global ranking of plant communities and wildlife species. The three hour workshop is presented by the Natural Heritage Program of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. In addition to the discussion of ranking systems, a review of the services offered by the Natural Heritage program, such as statewide inventory and monitoring, information management and distribution, environmental review, conservation review, and endangered species studies. The relationship of the Natural Heritage Program and forest industry is discussed. (CFE-3hrs in category 1, CLE-3hrs)
Special Places
Utilizing the services of the Kisatchie National Forest Archeologist and Public Relations Officer the three hour workshop is an interesting awareness level presentation of cultural and botanical resources found in Louisiana’s forests. Presentations of how to recognize if pre historic or historic artifacts may be present, who to contact for confirmation and directions on how to proceed, and current state and federal laws pertaining to cultural resources. Picture plant bogs, hillside seeps, and indicator plants are just a few of the examples of special places found in our forest that are highlighted by a myriad of slides in this presentation. (CFE-3hrs in category 1, CLE-3hrs)
Special Events
This three hour workshop is usually presented with Special Places but may be part of another workshop. It deals with hazardous chemical spills on the job, pipeline safety, and conducting safe operations around power transmission lines. Utilizing specialist from high pressure pipeline companies, Entergy and CLECO, and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality this workshop is designed to get the latest information on how to avoid or to deal with emergencies when working in the woods on a daily basis. Reporting procedures, prevention, containment, clean up, control and mitigation of spills are dealt with. (CFE-2.5hrs in category 2, CLE-3hrs)
The Management Team
This power packed seminar featuring an attorney, a CPA, a loan officer, and leasing officer is very informing on how to set up and manage a small business. Why do you need an attorney and when? When do you need legal assistance? When is a CPA necessary for your business? When purchasing equipment should you lease or get a loan? What do you need to qualify for equipment or other business loans? These and many more questions are generated and answered in this informal discussion with these business professionals. (CFE-5.5hrs in category 2, CLE-6hrs)
Advanced Logging Safety
The Louisiana Logging Council in partnership with OSHA and the Louisiana OSHA State Consultation Service presents in detail the requirements of a safety and health plan for logging businesses. OSHA logging safety regulations are reviewed and discussed, with input from the attendees that result in a working knowledge of the requirements for a safe work place. Developing a logging contractor’s safety and responsibility statement, company safety rules, analyzing chemicals and developing a hazcom plan, writing a site plan and discussing problem areas that attribute to Louisiana logging accidents make up the agenda to this workshop. (CFE-credit is pending, CLE-6hrs)
Managers, Leaders and Followers
Taught in cooperation with the LSU School of Renewable Resources, this course i will train owners and employees in good business practices. In varying circumstances, people can be followers at times or leaders or managers. Different skills are needed for each role that is required. (CFE-credit pending; CLE – 6 hrs.)
Managing Rare Species/Advanced BMPs
Discussion on the history of forestry and information about the species to look for in complying with endangered species statutes. Also an advanced version of the Best Management Practices.