Intro to Forest Entrepreneurship - Nevada City
This tuition-free course led by business experts provides entrepreneurs with skills to help launch exciting new forest career pathways.
Location
Nevada City
420 Providence Mine Road Nevada City, CA 95959Agenda
8:30 AM - 4:00 PM
First Day of Class is Saturday, April 26
8:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Second Day of Class is Sunday, April 27
About this event
- Event lasts 1 day 7 hours
- Free venue parking
Calling all Forestry Entrepreneurs!
Get ready to dive into all aspects of launching or expanding your business.
Join Sierra Business Council and Sierra Commons in beautiful Nevada City, California for a tuition-free two-day bootcamp designed to create sustainable forest-based jobs and wood products businesses.
With increasing pressure on our forests from climate change and wildfires, the demand for forest-based businesses is growing every year in rural communities throughout the Sierra Nevada.
Have you ever dreamed of being a business owner? Or maybe you have a business and want to take it to the next level. This course is for you!
This two-day course is geared toward businesses in forest thinning and management, defensible space, prescribed fire application, small mass timber product manufacturing, small diameter timber utilization, biofuel, bioenergy, home hardening, plant restoration, other non-timer-related businesses, and forestry logistics.
About the Bootcamp
Robert Trent, founder of Sierra Commons, and Ruby Beauchamp, a seasoned climber and cone collector, will lead the course. Throughout the weekend, guest presenters will provide valuable information and resources.
Students will learn the basic foundations of good business, from finance, pricing, and cash flow to research, marketing, and sales and the complex world of government contracts and permits. With a weekly accountability group and one-to-one advising, students will expand their knowledge and gain access to resources.
Each participant is eligible for personalized technical assistance at no cost through the SBDC program.
The curriculum is designed to provide:
- Technical assistance to launch small businesses
- Entrepreneurial development focused on a broad range of forest and wood-based businesses
- Training and guidance for transforming businesses
- Opportunities to showcase emerging business opportunities
- Guidance on the benefits of wildfire reduction and economic development; at the nexus of wood product development and outdoor recreation in rural forested communities
Funding for this program was provided by a Good Jobs Challenge EDA-funded grant through the Foundation for California Community Colleges to conduct forestry and fire-mitigation training programs in the Sierra Nevada region of northeastern California.
Frequently asked questions
Yes! Once registered on Eventbrite, participants will receive a survey that must be completed to finalize their enrollment. After the course, participants will receive a follow-up communication from the organizers to check on their business progress.
This course is ideal for anyone interested in launching or expanding a business in forest-related industries, including land stewardship, wildfire mitigation, timber utilization, biochar production, ecological restoration, and more.
The course is an in-person training with a mix of expert-led instruction, hands-on exercises, and networking opportunities. Each session is designed to provide practical, actionable insights to help participants build successful forest-related businesses.
No prior business experience is required! The course is designed for both beginners and those with existing businesses looking to expand into the forest sector.
Yes! Join our optional social meetup on Friday before class, 5:30 – 7:30 PM, at a local venue. It’s a casual chance to connect with fellow students, and family members are welcome! Location details will be sent to registered students one week before class.
The Forest Entrepreneurship course is a training program designed for individuals looking to start or grow businesses in forest-related industries. It covers essential business foundations, industry-specific insights, and networking opportunities with experts and peers.
Absolutely! The course is designed for both aspiring entrepreneurs and those looking to expand their existing businesses into forest-related industries.
The course is led by industry experts, experienced entrepreneurs, and business educators with real-world insights into forest-based businesses. Presenters may join in person or via videoconference, ensuring access to top professionals, regardless of location. Whenever possible, we feature local prof
A web-enabled device for interactive sessions (not required) A notebook for notes and ideas A bagged lunch and water bottle (or plan to visit nearby restaurants during breaks)
Organized by
Sierra Commons is committed to creating a more sustainable and resilient local economy by helping people turn their passions into jobs with a purpose.
Reach us at (530) 265-8443 or email info@sierracommons.org.