The USFS Volunteer Sawyer Instructor Program (VSI) was established in 2016 by act of congress and became a real thing
in 2017/2018 when several pilot programs were started by different forest service regions with some local volunteer organizations.
In 2023 the Developing Thinking Sawyer program material was released and the VSI program really took off.  For highly experienced
"B" level sawyers in a Trail Volunteer Organization who are interested in making the commitment to be a VSI there are a couple of paths.
In the Crosscut world, the best approach is to attend a Wilderness Skills Institute  which is a week long program held in a number
of different locations around the country.  The Northern Rockies WSI is held at the Powell Ranger stations in the Nez Perce-Clearwater
National Forest of central Idaho in May of each year.  In the Chainsaw world periodic Train-the-Trainer workshops are held around the
country by individual organizations with help from the USFS.  The Stanley Advance Workshop Day is another opportunity for highly
experienced "B" sawyer to be evaluated for "C"-bucker certification.  The ONLY reason that a trail volunteer needs a "C" card
is to teach.  Once you have your "C" card the next step is to be evaluated for an Instructor/Evaluator Endorsement.  This typically 
requires you to participate in one or more sawyer workshop teaching different modules and performing field days evaluations with  
USFS and VSI instructors & Evaluators.   "C" level Nomination Form (zip)

October 2-3-4, 2026   Registration Form (PDF)  &   "C" level Nomination Form (zip)

Registration Closes 09/01/2026 – Slots for new instructor candidates limited.

Questions:  DTS.Stanley.Idaho@gmail.com

SAMPLE APPLICATION