COTA Saw Program

COTA is a Nationally Recognized Saw Training Program, authorized by the USFS.

Saw Classes

Sawyer Training

Sawyer Documents

We provide:

Initial Chainsaw and Crosscut Certification Saw Classes.
Ongoing Sawyer Training and Re-certifications
Evaluations for A-C level sawyers in Chainsaw/Crosscut

Submit a Deadfall Report
Pease send an email to sawyer@cotamtb.com with: Location (GPS coordinates are best), approximate size of trees. Pictures are very helpful!

Get Started
If you’re ready to become a certified sawyer or need recertification:

Contact Joe Myers, COTA Saw Program Coordinator
If you would like to be added to our sawyer or swamper email list, send us a request
Fill out our Sawyer Information Request Form

The COTA Saw Program Goal
COTA is in the process of building up more high-level sawyers to meet both regional and state wide training demands. All classes and re-certifications are conducted by B or C level sawyers qualified as evaluators and instructors. The COTA Saw Program currently has 3 C-Level Chainsaw Evaluators and 3 C-Level Crosscut Evaluators (COTA/SWATS). We have 3 B Evaluators (with 2 more in training) on chainsaw , and 4 B Level Evaluators in training on Crosscut.

Regional support and Collaboration
Our Saw Program goes beyond traditional COTA boundaries and serves the entire Central Oregon region. This is especially important as the Deschutes is suffering from budget cuts and the loss of important trails staff. We are actively building relationships with other volunteer groups within our region so that we can work together on saw operations. With the help of the SWATS (Sawyers with Attitude to Spare), COTA can now offer bucking training on both Crosscut and Chainsaws.