A two-day course chainsaw safety course designed for women will be held Nov. 3-4 at Hidden Valley Nature Center in Jefferson. Most participants will have little or no experience with a chainsaw, though this course is also an effective refresher for more experienced individuals who have developed some bad habits with a saw. This is the gateway course to learning more advanced practices.

The focus of this course is overwhelmingly on safety: safe posture, safe practices, safe clothing, safe habits. The first half-day session (8 a.m.-noon) will be mostly indoors as the leaders provide some basic information about chainsaws, maintenance, and safety clothing, introduce participants to good practices, and provide relevant background material. Attendees will have time in the afternoon to visit a local saw shop to obtain any safety equipment they may need. The second day (8 a.m.-4 p.m.) is intended to be a full day of practice and application.

The goal is that each student will leave the course being keenly aware of how to evaluate practices, and equipment for safety. It is also a goal that each student will have the opportunity to operate a chainsaw in a controlled and supervised setting. Most students in the course will practice starting a saw, making straight up-and-down cuts (bucking downed wood), felling a tree, and bore cuts. Students’ interests and aptitude always dictate the extent of the course. Some students will practice directional tree felling techniques, if they feel comfortable doing so.

HVNC is not providing overnight accommodations as a part of this workshop, but primitive cabins and camping are available for rent. Students should come prepared with all the food and water they will need. This workshop is co-sponsored by Midcoast Conservancy, the Forest Stewards Guild, and the Women Owning Woodlands network.

The course cost is $50; scholarships are available. Contact Women of the Maine Outdoors, https://womenofthemeoutdoors.com. Register no later than Friday, Oct. 26. The course has room for 13 participants. To sign up, go to https://forestguild.z2systems.com/np/clients/forestguild/eventRegistration.jsp?event=4&. For more information, contact Amanda Mahaffey, amanda@forestguild.org or 207-432-3701.