The Northwest Illinois Forestry Association (NIFA) and Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation will sponsor four days of Chain Saw Safety and Woods Worker (SAWW) courses in 2025. These courses are designed to teach novice and seasoned saw operators safe use and maintenance of gas and electric powered chain saws. Participants may sign up for any number of the four classes but must have completed previous Levels or equivalent training accepted by instructor before advancing to the higher Level.
Topics to be covered
safety and personal protective equipment (PPE)
saw operation, starting, safety features, and body mechanics
cutter tooth parts, basic saw maintenance, and chain filing
saw reactive forces (push, pull, kickback, and attack)
the 5-step felling plan
the safe cutting of spring poles and limbing and bucking techniques.
Course Schedule
Thursday, August 14 – Level 1
Friday, August 15 – Level 2
Thursday, September 18 – Level 3
Friday, September 19 – Level 4
Location
Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation’s Big Sky Nature Reserve, 6504 E Parker Road, Stockton, IL from 8:00am – 4:30pm.
Cost and Registration
Course cost is $170 per class, $320 for 2 classes, $475 for 3 classes, or $625 to attend all 4. To register, go to http://nifatrees.org and click on “Events”. Contact Tom Arnold for additional information at arnoldfarm@juno.com , call 815-858-2407, or mail to 997 N Salem Rd., Elizabeth IL 61028. To ensure everyone receives hands-on, personal instruction, class size is limited to the first 12 applicants, so register early!
Day of class sign-in begins at 8:00 am with the indoor session starting at 8:30. Course will end at 4:30 pm. Bring your own lunch, chain saw, leather work boots, and gloves. If you have them, bring a safety helmet with face shield and hearing protection and chainsaw chaps. If you do not have any of the aforementioned, indicate so with registration/payment, and they will be provided or shared.
