COOK STATION, Mo. – The Missouri Chapter of Women Owning Woodlands will hold events on chain saw safety in November, says University of Missouri Extension natural resources specialist Sarah Higgins.

Three virtual sessions, 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 7, Nov. 14 and Nov. 21, will be followed by an in-person workshop 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, in which participants can practice what they learned. The in-person session will be at the MU Wurdack Extension and Education Center in Cook Station.

“Women-focused programming aims to create a welcoming, nonjudgmental learning environment where women feel more comfortable to participate and ask questions when surrounded by peers,” says Higgins. “This workshop will leave women feeling more confident and competent with a chain saw to help them achieve their land stewardship goals.”

Attendees will learn about personal protective equipment, chain saw maintenance, field safety and cutting techniques, says Higgins. Topics are covered at the beginner level and curated to address needs of women, like fitting chaps correctly for women and using a chain saw with upper body strength restrictions.

Register at http://bit.ly/wow-chainsaw. For more information, contact Sarah Higgins at 573-458-6252 or sarah.higgins@missouri.edu.