Queer Forestry and Fire Program

The application period is now closed for Queer Fire and Forestry 2026. Thank you for your interest. Please check this page for announcements about future programs and one-day opportunities. In the meantime, please check the opportunities on our Calendar to get outside with us!

Click here to read a blog post and see photos of the Fall 2025 QFFP session.

Details 

Program Description: The Queer Forestry and Fire Program is a free training course for LGBTQIA+ identifying folks from all backgrounds and experience levels to cultivate a greater understanding and skillset in basic forestry practices and hands on practice with pile and patch burning. It will be a safe space to come together to work towards restoring a forest/grassland ecosystem and return good fire to the land.

Dates: Saturdays, February 28 – April 4, 2026

Time: 9am to 4pm

Location: Ocean Song- Myers Preserve, Occidental

Cost: Free

Highlights 

  • Basic forestry skills using hand tools  
  • Discussion of Indigenous stewardship throughout Sonoma County
  • An understanding of Slow Restoration  
  • Stewardship for the promotion of ecological restoration and biodiversity  
  • Fuel reduction for wildfire mitigation and preparing a prescribed burn unit  
  • Proper tree felling, limbing up, and burn pile formation and implementation in different ecosystems  
  • Basic plant identification and ecology  
  • Grass ID and seed collection  
  • Burn pile and patch burn experience (learn more about LandPaths’  Good Fire Program here)   
  • Hands-on lessons in forestry and fire ecology  

What You’ll Need to Participate

  • You will be expected to provide your own transportation to/from Ocean Song-Myers Preserve, which is off of Coleman Valley Road in Occidental.
  • Basic gear such as boots, backpack, water bottle, lunch (some simple snacks will be provided)  
  • Plenty of water for drinking (up to one gallon a day) 
Five people stand watching as someone does a forestry demonstration. They wear hard hats and hold forestry tools and look like they are waiting for more information.
Two people stand in front of a forest of trees at Riddell Preserve. They are both smiling and wear work gloves.
A person with dark hair and a gray shirt holds a big pile of French Broom which they are carrying over to a burn pile.

All photos on this page by Miranda Carreño

Additional Helpful Info

  • Tools, gloves, cotton t-shirt for burning and snacks will be provided for the duration of the workshop  
  • This course is taught in English. 
  • Each Saturday project session will focus on a specific project site with a focus on developing skills at the site.  
  • Carpooling is encouraged and we can help support participants to arrange carpools.  

Questions?

Contact Lara O’ Herlihy at lara@landpaths.org or (707) 544-7284. Check out the FAQ sheet below for answers to commonly asked questions about the program.

FAQ

Queer Forestry and Fire Program FAQ-2Download
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