The Center of Excellence’s education and training offerings focus primarily on the use of pack stock as a minimum impact, traditional tool. Additional emphasis is placed on the Wilderness Act and the use of primitive tools. Courses are taught using a combination of experienced Forest Service packers and resource specialists, as well as expert instructors from wilderness and pack stock partner organizations.

Agency personnel and partners who may benefit from the Center’s learning opportunities include wilderness managers, trail crews, fire personnel, specialists from a variety of natural resource disciplines, safety officers, and volunteers.

Following is a listing of the types of educational and training programs the Center may offer, depending on demand. Basic Horsemanship Training clinics will be announced in the spring and are open to agency employees and partners. Please contact SM.FS.PackStockCOE@USDA.gov for information about how to apply.

• Introduction to the Wilderness Act
• Leave-No-Trace (LNT) and Low Impact Camping with Stock
• Use of Primitive Tools
• Cross-cut Saw Certification
• Fundamentals of Safe Stock Handling
• Basics of Freight: Building Safe and Secure Loads
• Safe Trailering Practices
• Basic Horsemanship
• Basics of Veterinary Care in the Field
• Trail Safety
• Appropriate Behavior Working Near Stock
• Stock Use in Wildland Fire Settings
• Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics Using Stock
• Fire Certification for Packers