Click here to view the 2008 MLEP Workshop Brochure (.pdf document). If you need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader, click this link.

Workshops with current openings will have a register link by the title. If you have any questions about individual training requirements, review them here or contact the MLEP office.

Biomass Harvesting Guidelines register
This workshop will introduction participants to Minnesota’s new Biomass Harvesting Guidelines.The training will address specific biomass harvesting guidelines in the areas of wildlife habitat and biodiversity, water quality, riparian management zones, and soil productivity.Planning, design and operational considerations will also be covered.
June 3 - Cloquet
June 10 - Grand Rapids
June 12 - Bemidji

Silviculture register
This workshop will provide a working knowledge of silviculture practices by forest cover type to improve timber harvesting practices in Minnesota. Each workshop will begin with an introductory indoor session presented in an interactive lecture format through a PowerPoint presentation. The remainder of the morning will be spent visiting one cover-type in the field where a class field exercise will be conducted. Following lunch, the afternoon will begin with a visit of a different cover-type where a separate class field exercise will be conducted. Exercise topics include evaluating forest regeneration in a stand and the assessment and marking of a stand. Participants may register for either one or both workshops.
May 28 - Cloquet (Even aged management)
May 29 - Cloquet (Uneven aged management)

Timber Stand Improvement register
Timber Stand Improvement includes a variety of strategies to make the best of your woodland better.  Despite the name, TSI can be used to improve wildlife habitat, grow big trees faster, or many things other than improving timber quality.  This workshop, offered in partnership with the Minnesota Logger Education Program, will cover four different approaches to TSI in Minnesota.  The workshop includes classroom presentations, field site visits, two hands-on field exercises where small groups design their own TSI prescriptions, and a classroom exercise on economic and operational considerations.
May 6 - Cloquet COMPLETED
June 3 - Grand Rapids

Timber Cruising for Loggers register
This workshop will provide a working knowledge of how to cruise timber to determine how much standing volume is in a given woodlot. The workshop will include an introductory presentation, a data collection exercise and an analysis of the data findings.
July 15 - Grand Marais
August 14 - Grand Rapids

Timber Marking register
This classroom and field workshop will present key principles of marking Minnesota timber in a practical, straightforward format. Participants, loggers and foresters, will gain a sense of the many factors to consider when choosing trees to mark and harvest. At the end of the workshop, participants will: be familiar with common terminology and concepts related to timber marking in Minnesota as well as the common, constant tradeoffs and decisions when marking timber, know more about the benefits of carefully marking timber and how to balance efficiency vs. attention to details when marking timber; have considered and discussed ways that their particular companies might be able to integrate more timber marking into their operations; and feel more confident communicating with landowners, foresters, and other loggers about marking timber.
August 19 - Bemidji/Hackensack area
August 20 - Aitkin/Hill City area

LogSafe register
Participants can choose between two tracks on the day of the workshop:
Track 1- CPR and first aid certification and recertification.
Track 2 - Body mechanics, ergonomics, ladder safety, slip & fall protection, fatalities, landing/woodyard safety. Each seminar is 8 AM– 4:30 PM with registration at 7:30 AM. Workshops will be held at the following locations:
March 26 - Rochester - Best Western Apache COMPLETED
April 1 - Baudette - Sportsman Lodge COMPLETED
April 2 and 3 - International Falls - Holiday Inn COMPLETED
April 9 - Tower (MLEP conference) - Fortune Bay Resort COMPLETED
April 15 - Two Harbors - Grand Superior Lodge
April 17 - Bemidji (MLEP conference) - Hampton Inn COMPLETED
April 22 and 23 - Grand Rapids - Sawmill Inn COMPLETED
April 24 - Cloquet - Forestry Center COMPLETED
April 29 - Biwabik - Giant's Ridge COMPLETED
April 30 - Bemidji - Hampton Inn COMPLETED
May 1 - Brainerd - Red Roof Inn COMPLETED
Sept. 30 - International Falls - Holiday Inn
Oct. 1 - Bemidji - Hampton Inn
Oct. 2 - Cloquet - Forestry Center
Dec. 9 - Chisholm - Iron World

Skilled Driver - DOT Audit Training register
The DOT audit – how to prepare and what to expect. Pamela DeGrote, a Transportation Program Specialist with the Minnesota Department of Transportation will provide a complete review of applicable Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations and the DOT audit process. Topics to be covered include: selection; driver qualifications; drug and alcohol use, testing and programs; hours of service, inspection, service and maintenance, hazardous materials and more.

The 2008 Skilled Driver Workshops are being co-sponsored with the Minnesota Timber Producers Association. Class size is limited, so register early!
June 10 - Bemidji CLASS IS FULL
Oct. 9 - Grand Rapids

Forest Management Guideline Training (2 days - for new members) register
This two-day training is required of new MLEP members, both provisional members and applicants, as well as those reapplying for MLEP membership.

Day One - Introduction to Forest Management Guidelines
Forest Management Guideline Education is part of the on-going introductory training on “Sustaining Minnesota Forest Resources: Voluntary Site-Level Forest Management Guidelines”. This session will provide an overview of the Guidelines and participants will receive a copy of the Guidelines manual. Topics include: cultural resources, forest soils, riparian areas, and wildlife habitat in the context of timber harvesting and forest road building. Field exercises will explore ways to apply Guidelines to achieve landowner objectives.

Day Two - Protecting Site Quality
This one-day training session will provide participants with opportunities to better understand and further assist implementation of the site-level Guidelines within Minnesota. The workshop begins with indoor presentations including an overview of pressures and performance standards facing the timber industry, why protecting site quality is important, and guideline monitoring results. Participants will then travel to a field-site where demonstrations and group exercises will be held, with a focus on stream and wetland approaches & crossings, water diversion structures, and spill prevention & clean-up.
Sept. 9 - Cloquet
Sept. 10 - Cloquet

GPS For Loggers, Foresters, and Landowners register
This hands-on workshop provides a brief overview of the basics of Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and will include detailed instruction for customizing settings, marking a location, mapping a boundary, and calculating acreage. In addition, participants will create & navigate waypoints, tracks and routes. The workshop is a hybrid of the Introduction and Intermediate GPS classes we have offered in the past. The curriculum has been overhauled and updated for use with the Garmin GPS MAP 76csx receivers that we will use in the workshop.
April 21 - Brainerd COMPLETED
April 24 - Sandstone COMPLETED
July 18 - International Falls

Accessing Aerial Photos, Topo Maps, & Other Planning Tools register
This is an introductory workshop, designed primarily for individuals with little to no experience using digital geographic information. This workshop will not address geographic information systems - it will only cover sources of information and software that are simple to use and free or low-cost. After completing this workshop, participants will be comfortable finding, obtaining, and using a variety of kinds of geospatial information about potential Minnesota timber harvest sites.
March 18 - Brainerd COMPLETED
April 5 - Grand Rapids COMPLETED
Oct. 16 - Rochester

Hydraulic & Hydrostatic Service Seminar register
This workshop will focus on normal servicing and field troubleshooting of hydrostatic transmissions and hydraulic systems. Topics to be covered include: unit and component description, function trouble shooting, control adjustments, repair procedures, understanding the Beta and Micron ratings of filters. The training is classroom based, using working models and provided by representatives from SunSource Hydraulic Service and Repair.
May 7 - Grand Rapids CLASS IS FULL
Sept. 11 - Bemidji

At the Water's Edge: Current State of Riparian Forest Management Research in Minnesota register
This one day workshop will provide results and interpretation from recent riparian monitoring studies, seasonal pond studies, and Riparian Science Technical Committee conclusions. A discussion panel will respond to questions and inquire about future research and education neeeds. Information will help natural resource professionals and loggers make informed decisions when managing forested riparian areas.View brochure for this class
May 20 - Grand Rapids
May 21 - Grand Rapids
May 22 - Grand Rapids

Timber Cruising for Loggers register
This workshop will provide a working knowledge of how to cruise timber to determine how much standing volume is in a given woodlot. The workshop will include an introductory presentation, a data collection exercise and an analysis of the data findings.
July 15 - Grand Marais
August 14 - Grand Rapids

Timber Marking register
This classroom and field workshop will present key principles of marking Minnesota timber in a practical, straightforward format. Participants, loggers and foresters, will gain a sense of the many factors to consider when choosing trees to mark and harvest. At the end of the workshop, participants will: be familiar with common terminology and concepts related to timber marking in Minnesota as well as the common, constant tradeoffs and decisions when marking timber, know more about the benefits of carefully marking timber and how to balance efficiency vs. attention to details when marking timber; have considered and discussed ways that their particular companies might be able to integrate more timber marking into their operations; and feel more confident communicating with landowners, foresters, and other loggers about marking timber.
August 19 - Bemidji/Hackensack area
August 20 - Aitkin/Hill City area

2008 Logger Conferences
These conferences are part of our efforts to provide “one-stop shopping” for logger education. The conference format should reduce the need to travel to several cities on different dates in order to fulfill training requirements. The conference will offer the required MLEP training on Day One. During Day Two, LogSafe training will be offered. 
Participants can either register for Day One, Day Two, or both days. Group rates are available at the facilities for hotel rooms if necessary. Please view our brochure or call us for details.

April 8 - 9- Fortune Bay Resort, Tower COMPLETED
April 16 - 17- Hampton Inn & Suites, Bemidji COMPLETED

Truck Weight Compliance Training
This workshop is ideal for those trucking entities that want to load to the maximum legal weight possible and need to understand and comply with Minnesota's legal weight limits.
Participants will review the laws governing gross weights, road-restriction weights, axle weights, and seasonally increased weights. The workshop will also address the differences between the state and local systems, road damage issues, reading weight charts, and the advantages and reasons for proper tire sizes, axle spacing, and axle configurations. Professional and easy to understand classroom and “take home” materials will help you identify potential concerns with your own trucks and assist you in optimizing your own configurations and options.
This workshop is being funded by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The instructor is retired State Patrol Lieutenant Greg A. Hayes. During the last 16 years of his career, Greg supervised the commercial vehicle enforcement in northwestern Minnesota. Class size is limited, so register early!
Shoreview - Jan. COMPLETED
Alexandria - Jan. 29 COMPLETED
East Grand Forks - Feb. 5 COMPLETED
Detroit Lakes - Feb. 26 COMPLETED
Mankato - Mar. 4 COMPLETED
Marshall - Mar. 11 COMPLETED
St. Cloud - Mar. 27 COMPLETED
Bloomington - Apr. 1 COMPLETED
Duluth - Apr. 22 COMPLETED
Rochester - Apr. 29 COMPLETED

"Nortrax University" - Risley Training & Safety Program
Nortrax Equipment’s Grand Rapids store will be holding a day-long Risley Delimber Training Event. The agenda will include daily, weekly and long term service of Risley models 2000 & 2100, spring break machine refreshments, annual flow check from carrier to delimber, adjustments, calibrations, cable tension, bearing services, life expectancies of components, operation tips and safety procedures.

You can choose to receive either one day of MLEP credit, or one day of LogSafe crecit.

Limited seating. Please register by March 21, 2008 by calling Nortrax– Grand Rapids at (800) 450-9427, or register online and MLEP will forward your registration to Nortrax.
April 1 - Grand Rapids Nortrax office, 34316 US Hwy. 2 COMPLETED

USFS Stewardship Contractor Training
The Forest Service Eastern Region is planning to host Stewardship Contractor Training for USFS partners (interested communities, counties, tribes, state agencies, contractors, and interest groups). This is held via video conference from the Chippewa and Superior National Forest offices below. In addition to getting an overview of Forest Service Contracting, the participants will be able to hear from some contractors working current stewardship projects in the Eastern Region. These speakers will include a county official, a logger, and interest group representatives.

View USFS brochure on this training here.

We ask that interested loggers register through MLEP to ensure that we give you credit for attending.
April 9- 8:15 AM - 11:45 AM- Superior Nat'l Forest Office 8901 Grand Ave. Pl Duluth
April 9- 8:15 AM - 11:45 AM- Chippewa Nat'l Forest Office 200 Ash Ave. NW Cass Lake