Developing the Thinking Sawyer – Chainsaw Recertification in the Eldorado NF
SORP · July 16, 2025
By Don Amador
Trail volunteers and USFS staff gathered at Elkins Flat OHV Area in June for a chainsaw recertification class hosted by PWORA and Eldorado National Forest. Aligned with the Forest Service’s updated National Saw Policy, the course emphasized safety, situational awareness, and the development of “thinking sawyers.”
Led by experienced instructors—including USFS veterans and volunteer leaders—the training reflects new national standards that prioritize complexity-based certification and risk management. As PWORA’s Don Amador puts it, “The goal is getting you and your crew home safely at the end of the day.”
With volunteer demand rising due to staffing shortages and new trail initiatives, programs like this remain vital for public land stewardship.