INCREASING CONCERN FOR NATIONWIDE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING, AND INCREASED DEMAND FOR MODERNIZED FOREST OPERATIONS CURRICULUM AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO INDICATE EDUCATION, EXTENSION, AND TRAINING GAPS FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE FOREST OPERATIONS PROFESSIONALS. THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO ADDRESS THESE GAPS AND INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITIES BY PROVIDING A PROOF OF CONCEPT FOR A FOREST OPERATIONS EDUCATION AND EXTENSION SPECIALIST POSITION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ENHANCED FOREST OPERATIONS CURRICULUM AND EXTENSION RESOURCES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IDAHO. THE FELLOW'S WORK TO DEVELOP AND DELIVER FUNDAMENTALLY AND TECHNOLOGICALLY RELEVANT CURRICULA FOR STUDENTS AND STAKEHOLDERS WILL ENSURE OUR FOREST OPERATIONS WORKFORCES ARE EQUIPPED WITH THE SKILL SETS REQUIRED TO MAXIMIZE COMPETITIVENESS IN THE TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCING FOREST RESOURCE SECTOR NOW AND INTO THE FUTURE. THE INCREASED KNOWLEDGE AND USE OF WEARABLE TECHNOLOGIES, ADVANCED MECHANIZATION, UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS (UAS), REMOTE SENSING, AND OTHER TECHNOLOGIES PROVIDED BY THESE CURRICULA WILL SUPPORT THE ACCELERATED RECOGNITION AND INTEGRATION OF INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES IN CURRENT FOREST OPERATIONS PRACTICES AND ULTIMATELY RESULT IN INCREASED SAFETY, PRODUCTIVITY, EFFICIENCY, AND SUSTAINABILITY OF OUR FORESTLANDS MANAGEMENT. THIS IS NECESSARY GIVEN THE INCREASING GLOBAL POPULATION AND SOCIETY'S CONTINUED NEED FOR SUSTAINABLE FOREST PRODUCTS. LONG TERM, RURAL COMMUNITIES DEPENDENT ON LOGGING AND FORESTRY WILL ALSO BENEFIT FROM AN EFFECTIVE EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND DEVELOPMENT PIPELINE FOR THESE WORKFORCES AND THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE FOREST OPERATIONS INDUSTRIES.