SALEM, Ore. — The Forestry Program for Oregon Subcommittee will meet virtually on Wednesday, May 15 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. To join virtually, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda.
The subcommittee’s agenda includes:
- Review of current draft for Vision of Oregon’s Forests
Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling ODF’s Public Affairs Office at least 72 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200 or by email at forestryinformation@odf.oregon.gov.
Subcommittee purpose: Collaborative work forum for board and agency leadership to advance efforts to jointly develop a modern Forestry Program for Oregon (FPFO). Read more information about the subcommittee.
(SALEM, Ore.) – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service, is now taking proposals from the nine federally recognized Tribes of Oregon for grants they could receive for urban and community forestry projects and programs.
In 2023, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) awarded ODF’s Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) Program $26.6 million of the $1.5 billion investment in urban and community forestry from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
“The IRA funding Oregon received is intended to promote community and urban forest investment and tree equity for overburdened and underserved communities,” said ODF UCF Program Manager Scott Altenhoff. “Tribal communities in Oregon have a long history of displacement, dispossession and under-investment in their communities. So, a significant proportion of the funds – $10 million – are earmarked to support federally recognized Tribes’ efforts to protect and enhance their urban and community forests. This also includes workforce development in the urban forestry sector.”
Specifically, priorities for the funds earmarked for federally recognized Tribes are to:
- Support community and urban forestry assessment, planning, and prioritization
- Support culturally responsive community and urban forestry education, engagement, recreation, and community-building initiatives
- Build capacity with collective impact through a community and urban forestry network
- Support community forestry and natural resource-related workforce development
- Significantly expand tree production, planting, and maintenance
- Support monitoring, adaptive management, and lesson sharing
The USFS and ODF have also identified projects or programs related to first foods (foods traditionally eaten by Native Americans) and improving community access to greenspaces (e.g., developed parks or natural areas) as priorities for this funding opportunity.
Proposals should address at least one of the above program priority areas, or clearly demonstrate how the proposed project or program supports Tribal community connections to trees and/or forests, said Altenhoff.
He acknowledges that the program areas outlined may not fully reflect each Tribal Nation’s community and urban forestry needs and priorities.
“We recognize that working with Tribes through this federal funding is critical to strengthening relationships and supporting the needs of Tribal communities to enhance cultural, socio-economic, and environmental priorities,” Altenhoff said.
Altenhoff said a further $12.5 million will soon be made available to other eligible entities throughout Oregon. The money will fund competitive, multiyear investments in urban and community forestry programs and projects. Proposals for this second funding opportunity should:
- increase equitable access to urban tree canopy
- broaden community engagement in urban and community forest planning, tree planting, and management activities
- improve community and urban forest health and resilience.
ODF Urban and Community Forestry Program Mission and Vision
The mission of ODF’s Urban and Community Forestry Program is to advance equity, well-being, and resilience for all communities in Oregon by promoting investments in trees and green infrastructure. Our vision is for every community forest in Oregon to thrive with good planning and management, while fostering statewide recognition of trees and forests as vital contributors to the social, economic and environmental well-being of the state’s residents.
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SALEM, Ore. – An Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) state forests advisory group will host a tour of forestland in portions of the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests on May 16 and meet on May 17 in Forest Grove, and the meeting will have a virtual option via Zoom.
The public is welcome at both events, hosted by the State Forests Advisory Committee (SFAC). The meeting agenda will be posted on the SFAC webpage.
Details
Forest Tour: Meets at 8:30 a.m. on May 16 at the Hornshuh Creek fire Station #14 at 49021 NW Sunset Highway in Banks. The tour will visit the Wolf Creek Target Shooting Lanes, a partial cut harvest for habitat development, and a stop at Reehers Camp to hear and see the Salmonberry trail project. RSVP is requested for the forest tour so that attendees can be provided safety equipment. Tour attendees should provide their own lunch, refreshments and transportation suitable for traveling on forest roads. Please RSVP no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 14 to Emily Shook at emily.j.shook@odf.oregon.gov.
SFAC meeting: The committee will meet from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 17, at the ODF Forest Grove District Office at 801 Gales Creed Road in Forest Grove. Topics on the agenda include an update on the FY2025 Annual Operations Plans, a briefing on the draft Western Oregon Forest Management Plan, and State Forests Implementation Plan revision considerations for FY2026-2027. The public will have the opportunity to provide comments virtually or in person at the beginning of the meeting.
SFAC’s role
The State Forests Advisory Committee (SFAC) includes citizens and representatives of timber, environmental and recreation groups. SFAC provides a forum to discuss issues, opportunities and concerns, and offer advice and guidance to ODF on the implementation of the Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan. The plan provides guidance for managing 616,000 acres within the Tillamook, Clatsop and Santiam State Forests, and several scattered state-owned forest tracts in Benton, Polk, Lincoln and Lane counties through a balanced approach to generate revenue while prioritizing environmental and social benefits.
Friday’s meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Questions about accessibility or special accommodation for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at (503) 983-3761
Salem, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry and Department of Forestry are inviting public comment on the final draft of their new shared strategic plan, the Vision for Oregon’s Forests, through May 24.
The board and department have been working together on this plan—which will replace the Forestry Program for Oregon—for the past two years. The Vision for Oregon’s Forests will provide the strategic direction that will guide both the board and department’s work for the next several years.
Comments can be submitted online or by mail to: ODF Public Affairs, 2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310. Comments will be shared with the board prior to their June 7 vote to adopt the plan.
Throughout the remainder of 2024 and into 2025, the board and department will continue to build upon the foundation provided by the Vision for Oregon’s Forests through developing associated progress measures. ODF will also build out its process for development of action plans to achieve the goals identified in the Vision for Oregon’s Forests. Engagement with department and board advisory committees, Tribes, key state and federal agencies, stakeholders, other partners, and local communities to identify actions will be a core component of the planning process.
ST. PAUL, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) contracted Kevin Barnes, grafting specialist, to propagate improved Douglas fir, western hemlock, western larch, and ponderosa pine trees for the J.E. Schroeder Seed Orchard. Barnes plays a crucial role in propagating improved tree varieties that will produce seeds for replanting clearcuts and areas affected by fire in Oregon.
At the J.E. Schroeder Seed Orchard, geneticist Don Kaczmarek uses traditional breeding methods to develop trees for Oregon with characteristics such as increased growth rates, climate adaptability, and resistance to insects and disease. Barnes grafts material from parent trees to a rootstock that provides water and nutrients for growth. “It’s a specialized profession and not a lot of people do what we do,” Barnes said.
“Our hope here at Schroeder is that we can continue to provide a reliable seed source that can help keep Oregon’s forests thriving,” Seed Orchard Manager Casara Nichols said.
Barnes uses a grafting technique that ensures the cambium layers of the plant material align. This alignment is vital for the successful growth of the grafted tree. "When you have an old growth tree that's 200 ft. tall, cambium acts like a ladder. No matter how tall that tree is, the water and nutrients go up the tree cell by cell from the root system clear to the top of the tree," Barnes explained. The graft is secured with a 100% natural rubber strip, called a budding strip, which is then sealed with water-based asphalt to protect the union.
“We try to shorten the time from orchard establishment to first cone crops. Trees planted this fall will produce their first cone crops in six to seven years dramatically shortening the time to production of advanced seed compared to trees grown in natural stands,” Kaczmarek said. Trees are grafted in the winter to early spring and orchards are planted in the fall of the same year. It takes roughly seven to 10 months for trees to become established following grafting.
A rich family history in the field backs Barnes’ knowledge of tree grafting. His father, Gerald Barnes, previously managed the Dorena Tree Improvement Center. Through a school trade-learning program, he introduced Kevin and his brother Shawn Barnes, who works for ODF doing seed processing, to the craft. The Barnes family has been instrumental in the development and success of modern orchards across Oregon. They have worked for the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and private timber companies for over 30 years.
The J.E. Schroeder Seed Orchard is celebrating its 50th anniversary through May. To find more information about the seed orchard, visit https://www.oregon.gov/odf/working/pages/seed.aspx.
The annual training required for journalists to gain unescorted access natural disaster scenes is now available. The free, one-hour online training course is provided by the Oregon Department of Forestry. Training credentials need to be renewed every year by completing the training.
New for this year: Training credentials will be generated automatically after passing the quiz at the end of the course and available immediately. Journalists are encouraged to print two copies of their credentials—one to display in their vehicle and another to keep in their wallet—and to save an electronic copy to their phone or computer, just in case.
House Bill 4087 (2022) granted journalists access to certain natural disaster scenes even if a public safety organization escort is unavailable. The bill’s access provisions apply specifically to natural disaster scenes on non-federal public lands that are also closed to the public due to the disaster. The HB 4087 guidelines created by a joint committee of public safety and media representatives provide additional important information including personal protective equipment requirements and circumstances when access may be denied.
For more information about HB 4087 and media access to natural disasters in Oregon, check out these resources from the Safe Media Access to Disaster Sites Committee and the Oregon Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.
If you have problems accessing the training or questions about media access, contact Joy Krawczyk, ODF’s Public Affairs Director, at joy.p.krawczyk@odf.oregon.gov or April Ehrlich with OPB at aehrlich@opb.org.
SALEM, Ore. – May is Wildfire Awareness Month. Oregon experiences its heaviest wildfire activity during the summer months, but fires occur all seasons of the year including spring. Keep Oregon Green, in partnership with federal, state, tribal and local fire agencies, will be spreading the word about the steps we all can take to prevent the start of careless, unwanted wildfires this summer, and encouraging Oregonians to create defensible space around homes and outbuildings.
At stake: lives, property and scenic beauty
Each year, over 70% of Oregon’s wildfires are started by people. Many are a result of escaped debris burn piles or gas-powered equipment and vehicles casting sparks or catching fire.
During the 2023 fire season, the Oregon Department of Forestry reported that people were directly responsible for sparking 823 wildfires that burned 6,197 acres. Any spark can gain traction in dry vegetation, spread quickly and impact lives, personal property, and the many benefits provided by Oregon’s scenic natural areas.
Before heading outdoors this summer, contact the agency or landowner who manages the land at your destination for an update on current fire restrictions or bans. Any visitor to Oregon’s natural areas should be familiar with these restrictions before building campfires or using equipment that could ignite a wildfire.
Put Your Smokey Hat On
Smokey Bear is celebrating his 80th birthday this year. Smokey is a beloved and trusted American icon that has educated the public on preventing human caused wildfires since 1944. His timeless and important message celebrates people who take responsibility and prevent wildfires. Smokey’s hat is the driving force behind Keep Oregon Green’s 2024 summer wildfire prevention campaign. “Put Your Smokey Hat On” is a call to action, encouraging the public to predict the outcome of their actions and do everything they can to prevent wildfire ignitions. Campaign artwork, PSAs, and additional wildfire safety tips can be found at keeporegongreen.org and its various social media platforms.
Coming soon: More Wildfire Awareness Month tips
During May, a new wildfire prevention topic will be shared each week to help homeowners and recreationists learn how to prevent their outdoor activities from sparking the next wildfire. For more information, visit the websites for Keep Oregon Green at www.keeporegongreen.org, the Oregon Department of Forestry at www.oregon.gov/odf, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal at https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/pages/prevent-wildfires.aspx
Follow Oregon wildfire news and prevention updates on social media: Twitter @keeporegongreen, @ORDeptForestry and @OSFM
SALEM, Ore. — The Adaptive Management Program Committee will hold a virtual meeting Monday, May 6 at 3 p.m. To join virtually, please use the Zoom video conference information found on the agenda.
The committee’s agenda includes:
- Finalize responses to clarifying questions from the IRST re: Roads questions package (Substantial decision item)
- Refresher on Eastern Oregon Steep Slopes questions package
The meeting is open to the public to attend online via Zoom. Public comments will be accepted near the start of the meeting. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours before the meeting by emailing adaptivemanagementprogram@odf.oregon.gov.
The 13-member committee The Adaptive Management Program Committee helps determine if forest practices are meeting their goals to protect natural resources through a science-based and transparent process. The committee sets the research agenda that the Independent Research and Science Team (IRST) implements. View more information on the AMPC webpage.
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada — The Northwest Wildland Fire Protection Agreement (NW Compact) is excited to announce the addition of the State of Hawaii as its newest member.
The NW Compact was created in 1998 and is one of eight forest fire fighting Compacts currently operating across North America. The purpose of the NW Compact is to promote effective prevention, suppression, and control of forest fires in the Northwest wildland region of the United States and Western areas of Canada. It provides an efficient way for member states, provinces, and territories to cope with wildland fires that might be beyond the capabilities of a single member agency, through information sharing, technology and resource distribution.
The NW Compact is operated by member states, provinces and territories, who include:
- Alberta
- Yukon Territory
- Saskatchewan
- Northwest Territories
- British Columbia
- Alaska
- Idaho
- Washington
- Oregon
- Montana
And now, Hawaii.
Despite being a sub-tropical island chain with lush tropical forests, wildfire in the State of Hawaii is an increasing problem, especially with climate change affecting temperatures, rainfall patterns and extreme events like the powerful winds that led to the catastrophic fires in August 2023. In Hawaii, the proportion of land area burnt on an annual basis is comparable to that in western states.
Hawaii also has a unique biota that evolved without the frequent occurrence of wildfire, which today is often fueled by land use changes and introduction of invasive species. The compact will be another way for Hawaii to address this increasing threat to its environment and communities.
Hawaii’s decision to join the NW compact was due to the need for additional firefighting resources in the state. The compact enables the exchange of resources with other compact members to improve wildfire response capacity in Hawaii. It will allow Hawaii-based wildland firefighters to gain experience by assisting with wildland firefighting efforts on the North American continent while also allowing the state to call on assistance from other members in the compact, thereby benefiting all compact members.
WHEN: Wednesday morning, April 24, 2024
WHERE: Forest Grove and Cornelius, Oregon
WHAT: State agencies in Oregon and their local and federal partners are trying a two-pronged approach to slowing the spread of the destructive tree-killing insect pest emerald ash borer (EAB) in urban areas. The first involves felling and chipping ash trees already infested with the pest. The second involves treating healthy ash trees in good condition with a systemic insecticide to protect them from infestation. A third phase this fall will involve the planting of different tree species that are not at risk from EAB.
First Stop - Forest Grove: Matt Mills, Oregon Dept. of Agriculture’s Project Manager for the Slow Ash Mortality (SLAM) strategy will be on site and available for interviews as a contractor fells ash trees infested with emerald ash borer (EAB) and feeds debris into a chipper.
TIME: 9:30 a.m.
MEET AT: 1218 Emily Street, Forest Grove, Oregon (Park on Emily Street)
VISUALS: Workers with chainsaws felling ash street trees infested with EAB in a residential neighborhood and chipping the wood to destroy larvae.
SOUNDS: Chainsaws, crashing noise as trees come down, grinding noise as debris is fed into chipper.
Second Stop – Cornelius: Oregon Dept. of Forestry’s Urban Assistance Forester Alison Herrell will be on site and available for interviews as she works with local officials to identify healthy urban ash trees that will later be treated later with an insecticide to protect them from EAB.
TIME: 10:45 a.m.
MEET AT: Intersection of Alpine Street and 23rd, Cornelius, Oregon
VISUALS: Alison walking down residential street examining street trees, including measuring their size with a diameter tape and inspecting them for health and any signs of EAB. Alison will also have along the systemic injection equipment to demonstrate how it works to protect trees.
RSVP: Please let Public Affairs Officer Jim Gersbach know if you plan to attend one or both stops. He will be on site with local colleagues to help with interviews, filming and recording.
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ASTORIA, Ore. — A giant 208-foot tall and estimated 200-year-old grand fir tree in Clatsop State Forest was inducted into the Oregon Heritage Tree Program in a ceremony April 12. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and the Travel Information Council and its volunteer Oregon Heritage Tree Committee held the ceremony at the base of the tree which is part of ODF’s Northrup Creek Horse Camp Big Tree Trail at Northrup Creek Horse Camp. The grand fir became the 84th Oregon Heritage Tree.
“A heritage designation recognizes trees with statewide or national significance,” said Craig Leech, Chair of the Oregon Heritage Tree Committee. “The Oregon Heritage Tree Program is the first state-sponsored heritage tree program in the country. It was established in 1995 to increase public awareness of the important contribution of trees to Oregon’s history and the significant role they play in the quality of our daily lives.”
ODF created the Big Tree Trail in 2012 when they identified numerous large conifer and deciduous trees near one another.
“Inducting the Big Tree Trail as an Oregon Heritage Tree helps honor this special trail of trees that are believed to be among the top five largest in the state,” said Dan Goody, ODF’s District Forester for the Astoria District. “Visiting an Oregon Heritage Tree is a chance to learn localized Oregon history and honor the vital role Oregon’s forests plays in our lives. In addition to viewing a sample of exceptional trees, The Big Tree Trail’s connection to the creation of Oregon’s modern forestry program makes it particularly notable.”
The Northrup Creek Horse Camp Big Tree Trail is located inside what used to be The Northrup Creek Grazing Experiment. The Experiment started in 1936 to study the seeding, fertilizing, grazing, and management of logged-off and burned-over timberlands and the effects of grazing on reforestation. The goal was to make burnt-up land profitable again. The project was overseen by the John Jacob Astor Experiment Station outside of Astoria and continued until the early 1950s.
The Experiment ultimately “failed” as it determined grazing was not the solution for burned over timber lands. However, in 1939 Governor Charles Sprague gave a stump speech in the area at the time he was actively promoting the State Forest Acquisition Act. The legislation included conservation requirements for loggers to re-seed the forest by leaving seed trees and reforestation efforts for burned areas, particularly those affected by the repeated Tillamook burns of 1933, 1939, and 1945.
Former Clatsop County Judge Guy Boyington, one of the original framers of the state forest arrangement, envisioned that the foreclosed lands could be made productive if forest land management was available. Clatsop County became the first county to participate.
You can visit the Big Tree Trail inside the Northrup Creek Horse Camp, located between Jewell and Birkenfeld four miles north of Highway 202. The trail is just under one mile and is open year-round for hiking. Hikers must start at the gate during the seasonal closure of the camp, which adds two miles. The horse camp will open May 17. The address is 87644 Northrup Creek Road, Clatskanie, Oregon.
For more information regarding the Heritage Tree program visit www.oregontic.com/oregon-heritage-trees.
For more information on recreation opportunities in Oregon’s state forests visit Oregon Department of Forestry : Recreation : Recreation : State of Oregon
BURNS, Ore. — The Oregon Department of Forestry recently hosted the 2024 Rangeland Fire Protection Association Summit in Burns, Oregon. The annual summit provides a forum for the 28 Rangeland Fire Protection Associations (RFPAs) to meet with each other and partners in the spirit of helping each other be more effective at fighting wildfire on Oregon’s range.
RFPAs are an integral part of the complete and coordinated wildfire protection system in Oregon. Oregon’s 28 rangeland associations across eastern Oregon provide initial attack response to wildfires on nearly 17.5 million acres of public and private ownership. Association members have a unique interest in suppressing wildfires since the lands they protect impact their livelihoods and those of their neighbors.
During the summit the rangeland associations share information such as current membership, planned prevention and mitigation strategies, and lessons learned from the previous year’s wildfires.
“The summit is an invaluable resource for association members and partners to advance wildfire suppression capability on Oregon’s rangeland, cropland, sage grouse habitat, and livestock forage that are crucial to the local economy,” said Allison Rayburn, ODF’s Rangeland Fire Coordinator.
An important part of the summit is the presentation of the Outstanding Neighbor Award, given to association members who are instrumental in supporting and growing their association. This year’s Outstanding Neighbor Award was presented to John O’Keeffe, president of the Warner Valley RFPA. O’Keeffe has represented local land interests and worked on ecological issues locally as a member of Oregon’s Wildfire Programs Advisory Council and the Oregon Cattleman’s Association, and nationally as a member of the Public Lands Council and National Wildland Fire Mitigation Management Commission.
“The people in this room are what makes this work. We want to have another generation, and another generation after that on the landscape and advocacy in far-away places is a large part of making that happen. I’ve been fortunate to have the local support to participate,” said O’Keeffe.
The history of RFPAs in Oregon started with legislation enacted in 1963 that allowed the formation of associations. In 1964, the Ironside RFPA was formed in northern Malheur County. For many years they were the lone association in the state. However, in 1998, a new era of RFPA interest emerged. Between 1998 and 2001, five additional RFPAs were formed and new associations have continued to form since then. There are currently 28 associations with over 1,200 volunteers. Association partner agencies include ODF, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon’s Office of the State Fire Marshal, Oregon State University Extension Service, county emergency managers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Natural Resources Conservation Service.