Public Hearing Scheduled For Repealing Rules Relating To The Administration Of The Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund - 12/11/25

SALEM, Ore. — A virtual rulemaking hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18 to gather public input on repealing rules relating to the administration of the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund (OFLPF). Public comment can be made by joining the Teams meeting.

The proposed repeal of rules was prompted by statute changes made by House Bill 3940 in the 2025 Regular Session. View the notice of proposed rulemaking for draft repealed rule language.

Comments can also be sent to nancy.hirsch@odf.oregon.gov until 5 p.m. on Jan. 1.

For additional information, please visit ODF’s rulemaking activity webpage.

Keynote Speaker Confirmed And Registration Opens For Oregon’s 2026 Urban And Community Forestry Conference (Photo) - 12/10/25

EUGENE, Ore. – The many ways trees protect human health will be the focus of the 2026 Oregon Urban and Community Forestry Conference to be held June 4 in Eugene at Venue 252.

Registration for the conference—We Thrive When Trees Thrive—is now open at https://www.oregoncommunitytrees.org/2026-conference

This annual conference is put on by the non-profit organization Oregon Community Trees in partnership with the Oregon Department of Forestry and USDA Forest Service. It is open to anyone interested in urban tree issues and their impact on people and communities.

Keynote speaker will be Geoffrey Donovan, a natural resource economist with the private consultancy firm Ash and Elm Consulting, LLC. When he was a researcher based at the USDA Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station, Donovan published a ground-breaking study that found each tree planted in Portland by the non-profit Friends of Trees was associated with significant reductions in non-accidental and cardiovascular human deaths. Donovan had access to years’ worth of tree planting data from Friends of Trees. Specifically, he used the planting data from the nearly 50,000 trees that organization had planted in Portland neighborhoods since 1990. Donovan was able to rule out other possible explanations for the lower death rate like race, education, and income, by using the statistical models using data from the American Community Survey. The findings were published in December 2022 in the journal Environmental International.

Donovan’s work has also shown a strong correlation between sudden tree canopy loss and higher death rates using data from the Midwest where ash trees were suddenly killed by emerald ash borer, leaving residents exposed to air pollution, noise, and other stressors. He has also investigated how pregnant women in Portland who live near large shade trees are less likely to give birth prematurely.

Continuing education credits will be available for conference attendees.

Opportunities to be a speaker, panelist or poster presenter are open until Jan. 31. Visit www.oregoncommunitytrees.org/2026-conference to apply.

Early-bird registration pricing remains $150. Students can register for $80. Ticket includes entry, lunch, snacks, and networking social hour following the conference. Scholarships are available for those with an expressed financial need.

About Oregon Community Trees

The mission of this non-profit, Oregon-based organization is to promote healthy urban and community forests through leadership, education, awareness and advocacy. OCT serves as the advisory committee to the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program.

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Oregon Tree Farm System Announces 2026 Oregon Outstanding Tree Farmers (Photo) - 12/04/25

RICKREALL, Ore. - The Oregon Tree Farm System (OTFS) recently honored Roje Gootee from northern Grant County as Oregon’s 2026 Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year. The honor was bestowed at the organization’s annual meeting held Nov. 15^th at the Polk County Fair Grounds in Rickreall.

Gootee, owner of Rush Creek Ranch, was recognized for her 28 years spent restoring and managing her property for a wide range of conservation objectives, as well as for her leadership in promoting the health of forest and rangelands in the Blue Mountains of Northeast Oregon.

Gootee first purchased 1,962 acres of forest and range in 1997.

“As a 17-year-old freshman studying Forestry at Utah State University, I began saving so I could one day own my own forest,” she said.

Over an 18-year period she expanded her ranch to 3,345 acres, of which approximately 2,000 acres are forested, the rest in range.

She has restored ponderosa pine forests that were over-harvested by the previous owner, restored abandoned farm fields to forests, improved water quality through restoring riparian habitat and protecting upland springs, controlled invasive weeds, reduced the risk of wildfire, and removed invasive Western juniper encroaching on rangeland and forests.

Gootee has done much to improve the long term health of her property and its watershed. She said, ”For me it’s just such joy to see the land respond.”

Beyond her own property, she has helped neighbors develop stewardship plans for their properties and has played key roles in promoting the management of all private and public lands in Oregon’s Blue Mountain region.

In 1976, Gootee earned a B.S. degree in Forest Resource Management with a minor in Range Management from Utah State University, and in 2009, a PhD in Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences from Washington State University.

Through her natural resource academic studies, USDA Forest Service career in forest and range management, and managing her own property, Gootee has developed invaluable insights on how best to manage Oregon’s dryland forests.

She continues to share her insights through serving on numerous local, state and national private and public natural resource-related boards and commissions. She also works with local landowners and resource professionals.

“Roje is so humble for a person that has done so much for our forests,” reported Bob Parker, the local forester who recommended that she be honored for her land management and community accomplishments.

In addition to honoring Gootee, OTFS awarded Dell and Linda Jensen a Silver Award for management of their 185-acre John Downing Tree Farm near Marcola in Lane County. While the property has been in the family since 1908, the Jensens took charge of its management when inheriting it in 2022. They have spent a tremendous amount of time and energy in developing a sustainable timber harvest, improving its road system for active management, and converting brushy areas back to Douglas-fir forest.

Others who were recognized include:

Additional County Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year

•     Laird-Shepherd Family of Columbia County, and

•     Allan and Kathleen Crandall of Yamhill County

Oregon Inspector of the Year – Tim Gurton

            Oregon Tree Farm inspectors are volunteer foresters who visit family forest landowners providing insights on how they can meet their forestland goals, and to certify that their forest meets the American Tree Farm System’s standards. Gurton visited and certified 25 landowners.

Pollinator Award – Mary Chamness

            This award is given to an individual whose volunteer efforts played a key role in the management of the organization.

Hagenstein Family Forestlands Achievement Award - Steve and Wylda Cafferata

This award is presented to an individual(s) for outstanding contributions in promoting, supporting, and sustaining Oregon’s family owned forestlands.

About the Oregon Tree Farm System

OTFS is a chapter of the American Tree Farm System which operates an internationally recognized forest certification program overseen by and for family forest landowners to promote sustainable forest management through education, recognition, and assistance.

For 59 years, OTFS has recognized family forest landowners who provide forest benefits and products using sound forestry management. Along with the Oregon Dept. of Forestry they work to promote sustainable forestry in Oregon.

For more information on the Oregon Tree Farm System, visit www.otfs.org

                                                          # # #

Oregon Tree Farm System Names Laird-Shepherd Family As Columbia County’s Outstanding Tree Farmer Of The Year (Photo) - 12/04/25

RICKREALL, Ore. - The Oregon Tree Farm System (OTFS) recently honored the Laird-Shepherd Family as Columbia County’s Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year. The family owns and manages 115 acres of forestland near Vernonia in Columbia County. The honor was bestowed at the organization’s annual meeting held Nov. 15^th at the Polk County Fair Grounds in Rickreall.

Honored at the same meeting with statewide Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year for Oregon was Roje Gootee from northern Grant County. Gootee owns the 3,345-acre Rush Creek Ranch, about 2,000 acres of which are forested. She was recognized for her 28 years spent restoring and managing her property for a wide range of conservation objectives, as well as for her leadership in promoting the health of forest and rangelands in the Blue Mountains of Northeast Oregon.

Gootee has restored ponderosa pine forests that were over-harvested by the previous owner, restored abandoned farm fields to forests, improved water quality through restoring riparian habitat and protecting upland springs, controlled invasive weeds, reduced the risk of wildfire, and removed invasive Western juniper encroaching on rangeland and forests.

Beyond her own property, Gootee has helped neighbors develop stewardship plans for their properties and has played key roles in promoting the management of all private and public lands in Oregon’s Blue Mountain region.

Through her natural resource academic studies, USDA Forest Service career in forest and range management, and managing her own property, Gootee has developed invaluable insights on how best to manage Oregon’s dryland forests.

She continues to share her insights through serving on numerous local, state and national private and public natural resource-related boards and commissions. She also works with local landowners and resource professionals.

In addition to honoring the Laird-Shepherd Family and Gootee, OTFS awarded Dell and Linda Jensen a Silver Award for management of their 185-acre John Downing Tree Farm near Marcola in Lane County. While the property has been in the family since 1908, the Jensens took charge of its management when inheriting it in 2022. They have spent a tremendous amount of time and energy in developing a sustainable timber harvest, improving its road system for active management, and converting brushy areas back to Douglas-fir forest.

Others who were recognized include:

Additional County Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year

•     Allan and Kathleen Crandall of Yamhill County

Oregon Inspector of the Year – Tim Gurton

            Oregon Tree Farm inspectors are volunteer foresters who visit family forest landowners providing insights on how they can meet their forestland goals, and to certify that their forest meets the American Tree Farm System’s standards. Gurton visited and certified 25 landowners.

Pollinator Award – Mary Chamness

            This award is given to an individual whose volunteer efforts played a key role in the management of the organization.

Hagenstein Family Forestlands Achievement Award - Steve and Wylda Cafferata

This award is presented to an individual(s) for outstanding contributions in promoting, supporting, and sustaining Oregon’s family-owned forestlands.

About the Oregon Tree Farm System

OTFS is a chapter of the American Tree Farm System which operates an internationally recognized forest certification program overseen by and for family forest landowners to promote sustainable forest management through education, recognition, and assistance.

For 59 years, OTFS has recognized family forest landowners who provide forest benefits and products using sound forestry management. Along with the Oregon Dept. of Forestry they work to promote sustainable forestry in Oregon.

For more information on the Oregon Tree Farm System, visit www.otfs.org

                                                          # # #

Oregon Tree Farm System Honors Lane County Couple With Silver Award For Managing Their Family Forestland (Photo) - 12/04/25

MARCOLA, Ore. - The Oregon Tree Farm System (OTFS) recently honored Dell and Linda Jensen of Lane County with a Silver Award for management of their 185-acre tree farm near Marcola. The honor was bestowed at the organization’s annual meeting held Nov. 15^th at the Polk County Fair Grounds in Rickreall.

While the Jensen property has been in the family since 1908, the Jensens took charge of its management when inheriting it in 2022. They have spent a tremendous amount of time and energy in developing a sustainable timber harvest, improving its road system for active management, and converting brush areas back to Douglas-fir forests.

In addition to honoring the Jensens, OTFS named Roje Gootee from northern Grant County as Oregon’s 2026 Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year.

Gootee, owner of Rush Creek Ranch, was recognized for her 28 years spent restoring and managing her property for a wide range of conservation objectives, as well as for her leadership in promoting the health of forest and rangeland in the Blue Mountains of Northeast Oregon.  

Gootee expanded her ranch from 1,962 acres in 1997 to 3,345 acres, of which approximately 2,000 are forested, the rest in range. She has restored ponderosa pine forests that were over-harvested by the previous owner, restored abandoned farm fields to forests, improved water quality through restoring riparian habitat and protecting upland springs, controlled invasive weeds, reduced the risk of wildfire, and removed invasive Western juniper encroaching on rangeland and forests.

Beyond her own property, she has helped neighbors develop stewardship plans for their properties and has played key roles in promoting the management of all private and public lands in Oregon’s Blue Mountain region.

She continues to share her insights through serving on numerous local, state and national private and public natural resource-related boards and commissions. She also works with local landowners and resource professionals.

Additional County Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year

•     Laird-Shepherd Family of Columbia County, and

•     Allan and Kathleen Crandall of Yamhill County

Oregon Inspector of the Year – Tim Gurton

            Oregon Tree Farm inspectors are volunteer foresters who visit family forest landowners providing insights on how they can meet their forestland goals, and to certify that their forest meets the American Tree Farm System’s standards. Gurton visited and certified 25 landowners.

Pollinator Award – Mary Chamness

            This award is given to an individual whose volunteer efforts played a key role in the management of the organization.

Hagenstein Family Forestlands Achievement Award - Steve and Wylda Cafferata

This award is presented to an individual(s) for outstanding contributions in promoting, supporting, and sustaining Oregon’s family owned forestlands.

About the Oregon Tree Farm System

OTFS is a chapter of the American Tree Farm System which operates an internationally recognized forest certification program overseen by and for family forest landowners to promote sustainable forest management through education, recognition, and assistance.

For 59 years, OTFS has recognized family forest landowners who provide forest benefits and products using sound forestry management.  Along with the Oregon Dept. of Forestry they work to promote sustainable forestry in Oregon.

For more information on the Oregon Tree Farm System, visit www.otfs.org

                                                          # # #

Oregon Tree Farm System Names Couple As Yamhill County’s Outstanding Tree Farmer Of The Year (Photo) - 12/04/25

RICKREALL, Ore. - The Oregon Tree Farm System (OTFS) recently honored Allan and Kathleen Crandall as Yamhill County’s Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year. The Crandalls own and manage 40 acres of forestland in Yamhill County near McMinnville. The honor was bestowed at the organization’s annual meeting held Nov. 15^th at the Polk County Fair Grounds in Rickreall.

Honored at the same meeting with statewide Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year for Oregon was Roje Goote from northern Grant County. Gootee owns the 3,345-acre Rush Creek Ranch, about 2,000 acres of which are forested. She was recognized for her 28 years spent restoring and managing her property for a wide range of conservation objectives, as well as for her leadership in promoting the health of forest and rangelands in the Blue Mountains of Northeast Oregon.

Gootee has restored ponderosa pine forests that were over-harvested by the previous owner, restored abandoned farm fields to forests, improved water quality through restoring riparian habitat and protecting upland springs, controlled invasive weeds, reduced the risk of wildfire, and removed invasive Western juniper encroaching on rangeland and forests.

Beyond her own property, Gootee has helped neighbors develop stewardship plans for their properties and has played key roles in promoting the management of all private and public lands in Oregon’s Blue Mountain region.

Through her natural resource academic studies, USDA Forest Service career in forest and range management, and managing her own property, Gootee has developed invaluable insights on how best to manage Oregon’s dryland forests.

She continues to share her insights through serving on numerous local, state and national private and public natural resource-related boards and commissions. She also works with local landowners and resource professionals.

In addition to honoring the Crandalls and Gootee, OTFS awarded Dell and Linda Jensen a Silver Award for management of their 185-acre John Downing Tree Farm near Marcola in Lane County. While the property has been in the family since 1908, the Jensens took charge of its management when inheriting it in 2022. They have spent a tremendous amount of time and energy in developing a sustainable timber harvest, improving its road system for active management, and converting brushy areas back to Douglas-fir forest.

Others who were recognized include:

Additional County Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year

•     Laird-Shepherd Family of Columbia County

Oregon Inspector of the Year – Tim Gurton

            Oregon Tree Farm inspectors are volunteer foresters who visit family forest landowners providing insights on how they can meet their forestland goals, and to certify that their forest meets the American Tree Farm System’s standards. Gurton visited and certified 25 landowners.

Pollinator Award – Mary Chamness

            This award is given to an individual whose volunteer efforts played a key role in the management of the organization.

Hagenstein Family Forestlands Achievement Award - Steve and Wylda Cafferata

This award is presented to an individual(s) for outstanding contributions in promoting, supporting, and sustaining Oregon’s family owned forestlands.

About the Oregon Tree Farm System

OTFS is a chapter of the American Tree Farm System which operates an internationally recognized forest certification program overseen by and for family forest landowners to promote sustainable forest management through education, recognition, and assistance.

For 59 years, OTFS has recognized family forest landowners who provide forest benefits and products using sound forestry management. Along with the Oregon Dept. of Forestry they work to promote sustainable forestry in Oregon.

For more information on the Oregon Tree Farm System, visit www.otfs.org

                                                          # # #

Linn County Logging Firm RDL Northwest Earns Merit Award As Oregon Department Of Forestry Announces State’s Top Forest Operators For 2025 (Photo) - 12/03/25

SALEM, Ore. – Two loggers and a forest road builder have been chosen as Operator of the Year for their respective region of Oregon. Three regional advisory committees to the Oregon Board of Forestry selected the trio earlier this fall. The recipients will be recognized in Salem at the January meeting of the Board. The honorees are: 

• Northwest Oregon—Quality Excavation, Inc., out of Seaside, Ore.  
• Southwest Oregon—Roseburg-based Weber Logging and Construction, Inc. 
• Eastern Oregon—Boulder Ridge, LLC, headquartered in Bend, Ore.

The award recognizes forest operators who, while harvesting timber or doing other forestry work, have an excellent track record of protecting natural resources and improving forest health at a level that consistently meets or exceeds requirements of the Oregon Forest Practices Act *. That law requires people to manage forests responsibly and protect streams and water quality, protect and enhance habitat, and reduce landslide risks. The law also requires landowners to replant forests after harvesting.  

Videos about each of the three Operators of the Year and five Merit Award winners can be viewed on the ODF website at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Working/Pages/default.aspx 

Rick Dennis of RDL Northwest, headquartered in Lebanon, Ore., was one of two logging companies which received the Merit Award for the Northwest Oregon Region. Dennis was honored for his careful planning of units to be logged. Nominators cited how he employs multiple logging methods and different types of machinery on steep units and consistently protects stream buffers and soils from disturbance.

The other Merit Award winner for Northwest Oregon is Emerald Valley Thinning based in Philomath, Ore. That firm earned the Merit Award for harvesting extremely steep slopes in the Coast Range using tethered logging and hand cutting to protect buffer trees along the Siuslaw River. They also succeeded in following new Forest Practice Act rules protecting trees in the harvest unit located in steep slope areas at risk of sliding.

Northwest Oregon Operator of the Year

ODF Stewardship Foresters Craig Sorter and Bryce Rodgers co-nominated Quality Excavation for Operator of the Year for the Northwest Oregon Region. Sorter said, “Small culverts installed in the first half of the 20^th century before current rules were in place often blocked fish passage, preventing fish from spawning in upstream habitat. When landowner Lewis and Clark Timberlands wanted to log a parcel in the Coast Range, they knew they would need to upgrade the road to allow hauling and replace the old culvert beneath it. So their timber management company Nuveen called on the highly experienced firm of Quality Excavation.” 

With an eye toward the future of the company, Quality Excavation’s founder Jay Bergeson entrusted the work of replacing the failing culvert on the North Fork of the Necanicum River in the Coast Range to his 28-year-old son Cole. Cole, who had been learning the business alongside his father from a young age, and a Quality Excavation crew, replaced the culvert with a massive new one. They then rebuilt the logging road over it to allow the landowner to harvest trees beyond that point.

Sorter said Quality Excavation had to divert the stream during the project through hundreds of yards of pipe, then dig out the old culvert, including old-growth logs that it had been placed atop. Cole then had to dig a new bed and place the larger, extra-long new culvert at an angle and level that would allow stream flow and fish passage through it. Then he anchored it in place with stone quarried on site, building the haul road back up to grade.

“Quality Excavation did an excellent job, even hiring a bobcat to lay a natural bed of rock in the pipe to make fish passage easier,” Sorter said. “No sediment got in the stream during the work and now fish are able to get to habitat upstream that was previously blocked.”

Watch a video about the company’s work at Northwest Oregon Operator of the Year for 2025, Winner - Quality Excavation, Inc. 

Eastern Oregon 

Landowner Shanda Asset Management nominated for Operator of the Year Boulder Ridge’s work thinning nearly 2,000 acres of overcrowded ponderosa pine and white fir on the eastern slopes of the Cascades. The selection committee agreed the work was exemplary and chose the firm as this year’s winner for Eastern Oregon.

“This harvest was a challenge because there wasn’t capacity at the one local mill to take all the harvested logs, so Boulder had to schedule 14 different trucks heading to Gilchrist, Sisters, Culver, Christmas Valley, and as far away as Roseburg,” said Aidan Myers, Director of Timber Operations for Shanda.

Besides reducing risk of catastrophic wildfire by reducing overcrowding, Myers also cited Boulder’s improving the health of the forest by carefully removing trees infested with dwarf mistletoe, which can kill or weaken trees, and which spreads more easily in crowded stands.

View a video of the company’s work at Eastern Oregon Operator of the Year for 2025, Winner - Boulder Ridge LLC - YouTube

Southwest Oregon 

Austin Weber and his company Weber Logging and Construction were chosen as Operator of the Year for the Southwest Oregon Region for successfully working under new Forest Practices Act rules requiring him to protect a half dozen stands of trees in especially steep areas at risk of landslides. Leaving trees in those stands served various purposes, including protecting soils from erosion and downstream water from sediments. Trees left standing would also be available when they eventually fell over to deliver woody debris for future fish habitat. To do so, Weber had to set up multiple yarding sites and haul logs up to landings on the side of the road above the harvest unit.

Michael Williams of Roseburg Forest Products, who nominated Weber, said he also protected a fish-bearing stream in the unit, avoiding damage to trees in the stream buffer. Williams noted that Weber has for almost 20 years consistently excelled at protecting natural resources while harvesting in some of the most challenging situations in the region.

View video about Weber’s work at Southwest Oregon Operator of the Year for 2025, Winner - Weber Logging and Construction

ODF Forest Resources Division Chief Josh Barnard said, “the selection committees worked very hard this year when choosing these honors, given the high quality of the nominees.” 

Barnard said nominees showed they could meet the challenge of working under new rules that came into effect this year. The updated Oregon Forest Practices Act rules provide more protection for forest resources, such as protecting trees and soil in especially steep areas at risk of sliding.  

“Many of the harvest sites this year had quite challenging terrain,” said Barnard. “The Operators of the Year showed extraordinary care and diligence to protect slopes and streams, reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire, and improve forest health to meet landowner objectives. We’re proud to recognize those efforts.” 

Merit Awards

Merit Awards were also given to three other companies. 

Eastern Oregon 

• Forestry consultant Jeff Maben earned the Merit Award for his work with private landowners in and around Grant County, helping them improve forest health by removing encroaching juniper and thinning of overcrowded ponderosa pine stands. His work increased water flow in local creeks, rejuvenated aspen groves, and reduced shade on mountain mahogany, an important source of winter browse for elk. It also reduced risk of catastrophic wildfire.
• Staton Forestry received the Merit Award for a thinning operation on the Gilchrist State Forest that included removing overcrowded lodgepole and ponderosa pine trees and brush to improve forest health by reducing drought stress among remaining trees, and improved habitat for deer and elk. It also protected neighboring communities by lowering the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

 Southwest Oregon 

• Dave Wilkerson Logging, LLC, based in Eagle Point, Ore. won the Merit Award for stopping work a number of times during an especially west spring to avoid rutting and soil damage. He was also commended for doing an excellent job protecting young trees in the mixed-aged stand on the western slopes of the Cascades. He also fully protected a fish-bearing stream bordering the harvest unit.

* Oregon enacted the Forest Practices Act in 1971 as a national model for forest management laws. The law focuses on ensuring responsible forest operations and protecting natural resources in forestland. The Act has been updated many times based on new scientific information and values to create a balanced approach to natural resource management. 

                                                         # # # 

Benton County Logging Firm Emerald Valley Thinning Earns Merit Award As Oregon Department Of Forestry Announces State’s Top Forest Operators For 2025 (Photo) - 12/03/25

SALEM, Ore. – Two loggers and a forest road builder have been chosen as Operator of the Year for their respective region of Oregon. Three regional advisory committees to the Oregon Board of Forestry selected the trio earlier this fall. The recipients will be recognized in Salem at the January meeting of the Board. The honorees are: 

• Northwest Oregon—Quality Excavation, Inc., out of Seaside, Ore.  
• Southwest Oregon—Roseburg-based Weber Logging and Construction, Inc. 
• Eastern Oregon—Boulder Ridge, LLC, headquartered in Bend, Ore.

The award recognizes forest operators who, while harvesting timber or doing other forestry work, have an excellent track record protecting natural resources and improving forest health at a level that consistently meets or exceeds requirements of the Oregon Forest Practices Act *. That law requires people to manage forests responsibly and protect streams and water quality, protect and enhance habitat, and reduce landslide risks. The law also requires landowners to replant forests after harvesting.  

Videos about each of the three Operators of the Year and five Merit Award winners can be viewed on the ODF website at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Working/Pages/default.aspx 

Emerald Valley Thinning, based in Philomath, is one of two logging companies which received the Merit Award for the Northwest Oregon Region. Owner earned the Merit Award for harvesting extremely steep slopes in the Coast Range using tethered logging and hand cutting to protect buffer trees along the Siuslaw River. They also succeeded in following new Forest Practice Act rules protecting trees in the harvest unit located in steep slope areas at risk of sliding.

The other Merit Award winner for Northwest Oregon is Rick Dennis, owner of RDL Northwest based in Lebanon, Ore. Dennis was honored for his careful planning of units to be logged. Nominators cited how he employs multiple logging methods and different types of machinery on steep units and consistently protects stream buffers and soils from disturbance.

Northwest Oregon Operator of the Year

ODF Stewardship Foresters Craig Sorter and Bryce Rodgers co-nominated Quality Excavation for Operator of the Year for the Northwest Oregon Region. Sorter said, “Small culverts installed in the first half of the 20^th century before current rules were in place often blocked fish passage, preventing fish from spawning in upstream habitat. When landowner Lewis and Clark Timberlands wanted to log a parcel in the Coast Range, they knew they would need to upgrade the road to allow hauling and replace the old culvert beneath it. So their timber management company, Nuveen, called on the highly experienced firm of Quality Excavation.” 

With an eye toward the future of the company, Quality Excavation’s founder Jay Bergeson entrusted the work of replacing the failing culvert on the North Fork of the Necanicum River in the Coast Range to his 28-year-old son Cole. Cole, who had been learning the business alongside his father from a young age, and a Quality Excavation crew, replaced the culvert with a massive new one. They then rebuilt the logging road over it to allow the landowner to harvest trees beyond that point.

Sorter said Quality Excavation had to divert the stream during the project through hundreds of yards of pipe, then dig out the old culvert, including old-growth logs that it had been placed atop. Cole then had to dig a new bed and place the larger, extra-long new culvert at an angle and level that would allow stream flow and fish passage through it. Then he anchored it in place with stone quarried on site, building the haul road back up to grade.

“Quality Excavation did an excellent job, even hiring a bobcat to lay a natural bed of rock in the pipe to make fish passage easier,” Sorter said. “No sediment got in the stream during the work and now fish are able to get to habitat upstream that was previously blocked.”

Watch a video about the company’s work at Northwest Oregon Operator of the Year for 2025, Winner - Quality Excavation, Inc. 

Eastern Oregon 

Landowner Shanda Asset Management nominated for Operator of the Year Boulder Ridge’s work thinning nearly 2,000 acres of overcrowded ponderosa pine and white fir on the eastern slopes of the Cascades. The selection committee agreed the work was exemplary and chose the firm as this year’s winner for Eastern Oregon.

“This harvest was a challenge because there wasn’t capacity at the one local mill to take all the harvested logs, so Boulder had to schedule 14 different trucks heading to Gilchrist, Sisters, Culver, Christmas Valley, and as far away as Roseburg,” said Aidan Myers, Director of Timber Operations for Shanda.

Besides reducing risk of catastrophic wildfire by reducing overcrowding, Myers also cited Boulder’s improving the health of the forest by carefully removing trees infested with dwarf mistletoe, which can kill or weaken trees, and which spreads more easily in crowded stands.

View a video of the company’s work at Eastern Oregon Operator of the Year for 2025, Winner - Boulder Ridge LLC - YouTube

Southwest Oregon 

Austin Weber and his company Weber Logging and Construction were chosen as Operator of the Year for the Southwest Oregon Region for successfully working under new Forest Practices Act rules requiring him to protect a half dozen stands of trees in especially steep areas at risk of landslides. Leaving trees in those stands served various purposes, including protecting soils from erosion and downstream water from sediments. Trees left standing would also be available when they eventually fell over to deliver woody debris for future fish habitat. To do so, Weber had to set up multiple yarding sites and haul logs up to landings on the side of the road above the harvest unit.

Michael Williams of Roseburg Forest Products, who nominated Weber, said he also protected a fish-bearing stream in the unit, avoiding damage to trees in the stream buffer.  Williams noted that Weber has for almost 20 years consistently excelled at protecting natural resources while harvesting in some of the most challenging situations in the region.

View video about Weber’s work at Southwest Oregon Operator of the Year for 2025, Winner - Weber Logging and Construction

ODF Forest Resources Division Chief Josh Barnard said, “The selection committees worked very hard this year when choosing these honors, given the high quality of the nominees.” 

Barnard said nominees showed they could meet the challenge of working under new rules that came into effect this year. The updated Oregon Forest Practices Act rules provide more protection for forest resources, such as protecting trees and soil in especially steep areas at risk of sliding.  

“Many of the harvest sites this year had quite challenging terrain,” said Barnard. “The Operators of the Year showed extraordinary care and diligence to protect slopes and streams, reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire, and improve forest health to meet landowner objectives. We’re proud to recognize those efforts.” 

Merit Awards

Merit Awards were also given to three other companies. 

Eastern Oregon 

• Forestry consultant Jeff Maben earned the Merit Award for his work with private landowners in and around Grant County, helping them improve forest health through removal of encroaching juniper and thinning of overcrowded ponderosa pine stands. His work increased water flow in local creeks, rejuvenated aspen groves, and reduced shade on mountain mahogany, an important source of winter browse for elk. It also reduced the risk of catastrophic wildfire.
• Staton Forestry received the Merit Award for a thinning operation on the Gilchrist State Forest that included removing overcrowded lodgepole and ponderosa pine trees and brush to improve forest health by reducing drought stress among remaining trees, and improved habitat for deer and elk. The work also protected neighboring communities by lowering the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

 Southwest Oregon 

• Dave Wilkerson Logging, LLC, based in Eagle Point, Ore. won the Merit Award for stopping work a number of times during an especially wet spring to avoid rutting and soil damage. He was also commended for doing an excellent job of protecting young trees in the mixed-aged stand on the western slopes of the Cascades. He also fully protected a fish-bearing stream bordering the harvest unit.

* Oregon enacted the Forest Practices Act in 1971 as a national model for forest management laws. The law focuses on ensuring responsible forest operations and protecting natural resources in forestland. The Act has been updated many times based on new scientific information and values to create a balanced approach to natural resource management. 

                                                         # # # 

Roseburg-based Company Is Among Top Forest Operators For 2025 Announced By Oregon Department Of Forestry (Photo) - 12/03/25

SALEM, Ore. – Two loggers and a forest road builder have been chosen as Operator of is the Year for their respective region of Oregon. Three regional advisory committees to the Oregon Board of Forestry selected the trio earlier this fall. The recipients will be recognized in Salem at the January meeting of the Board. The honorees are: 

• Southwest Oregon—Roseburg-based Weber Logging and Construction, Inc. 
• Eastern Oregon—Boulder Ridge Logging, LLC, headquartered in Bend, Ore.
• Northwest Oregon—Quality Excavation, Inc., out of Seaside, Ore.  

The award recognizes forest operators who, while harvesting timber or doing other forestry work, have an excellent track record of protecting natural resources and improving forest health at a level that consistently meets or exceeds requirements of the Oregon Forest Practices Act *. That law requires people to manage forests responsibly and protect streams and water quality, protect and enhance habitat, and reduce landslide risks. The law also requires landowners to replant forests after harvesting.  

Videos about each of the three Operators of the Year and five Merit Award winners, including Dave Wilkerson Logging, LLC, based in Eagle Point, can be viewed on the ODF website at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Working/Pages/default.aspx 

Southwest Oregon 

Austin Weber and his company Weber Logging and Construction were chosen as Operator of the Year for the Southwest Oregon Region for successfully working under new Forest Practices Act rules requiring him to protect a half dozen stands of trees in especially steep areas at risk of landslides. Leaving trees in those stands served various purposes, including protecting soils from erosion and downstream water from sediments. Trees left standing would also be available when they eventually fell over to deliver woody debris for future fish habitat. To do so, Weber had to set up multiple yarding sites and haul logs up to landings on the side of the road above the harvest unit.

Michael Williams of Roseburg Forest Products, who nominated Weber, said he also protected a fish-bearing stream in the unit, avoiding damage to trees in the stream buffer. Williams noted that Weber has for almost 20 years consistently excelled at protecting natural resources while harvesting in some of the most challenging situations in the region.

View video about Weber’s work at Southwest Oregon Operator of the Year for 2025, Winner - Weber Logging and Construction

Eastern Oregon 

Landowner Shanda Asset Management nominated for Operator of the Year Boulder Ridge’s work thinning nearly 2,000 acres of overcrowded ponderosa pine and white fir on the eastern slopes of the Cascades. The selection committee agreed the work was exemplary and chose the firm as this year’s winner for Eastern Oregon.

“This harvest was a challenge because there wasn’t capacity at the one local mill to take all the harvested logs, so Boulder had to schedule 14 different trucks heading to Gilchrist, Sisters, Culver, Christmas Valley, and as far away as Roseburg,” said Aidan Myers, Director of Timber Operations for Shanda.

Besides reducing risk of catastrophic wildfire by reducing overcrowding, Myers also cited Boulder’s improving the health of the forest by carefully removing trees infested with dwarf mistletoe, which can kill or weaken trees, and which spreads more easily in crowded stands.

View a video of the company’s work at Eastern Oregon Operator of the Year for 2025, Winner - Boulder Ridge LLC - YouTube

Northwest Oregon 

ODF Stewardship Foresters Craig Sorter and Bryce Rodgers co-nominated Quality Excavation for Operator of the Year for the Northwest Oregon Region. Sorter said, “Small culverts installed in the first half of the 20^th century before current rules were in place often blocked fish passage, preventing fish from spawning in upstream habitat. When landowner Lewis and Clark Timberlands wanted to log a parcel in the Coast Range, they knew they would need to upgrade the road to allow hauling and replace the old culvert beneath it. So their timber management company Nuveen called on the highly experienced firm of Quality Excavation.” 

With an eye toward the future of the company, Quality Excavation’s founder Jay Bergeson entrusted the work of replacing the failing culvert on the North Fork of the Necanicum River in the Coast Range to his 28-year-old son Cole. Cole, who had been learning the business alongside his father from a young age, and a Quality Excavation crew, replaced the culvert with a massive new one. They then rebuilt the logging road over it to allow the landowner to harvest trees beyond that point.

Sorter said Quality Excavation had to divert the stream during the project through hundreds of yards of pipe, then dig out the old culvert, including old-growth logs that it had been placed atop. Cole then had to dig a new bed and place the larger, extra-long new culvert at an angle and level that would allow stream flow and fish passage through it. Then he anchored it in place with stone quarried on site, building the haul road back up to grade.

Watch a video about the company’s work at Northwest Oregon Operator of the Year for 2025, Winner - Quality Excavation, Inc. 

ODF Forest Resources Division Chief Josh Barnard said, “The selection committees worked very hard this year when choosing these honors, given the high quality of the nominees.” 

Barnard said nominees showed they could meet the challenge of working under new rules that came into effect this year. The updated Oregon Forest Practices Act rules provide more protection for forest resources, such as protecting trees and soil in especially steep areas at risk of sliding.  

“Many of the harvest sites this year had quite challenging terrain,” said Barnard. “The Operators of the Year showed extraordinary care and diligence to protect slopes and streams, reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire, and improve forest health to meet landowner objectives. We’re proud to recognize those efforts.” 

Merit Awards

Merit Awards were also given to five other companies. 

 Southwest Oregon 

• Dave Wilkerson Logging, LLC, based in Eagle Point, Ore. won the Merit Award for stopping work a number of times during an especially wet spring to avoid rutting and soil damage. He was also commended for doing an excellent job of protecting young trees in the mixed-aged stand on the western slopes of the Cascades. He also fully protected a fish-bearing stream bordering the harvest unit.

Eastern Oregon 

• Forestry consultant Jeff Maben earned the Merit Award for his work with private landowners in and around Grant County, helping them improve forest health through removal of encroaching juniper and thinning of overcrowded ponderosa pine stands. His work increased water flow in local creeks, rejuvenated aspen groves, and reduced shade on mountain mahogany, an important source of winter browse for elk. It also reduced the risk of catastrophic wildfire.
• Staton Forestry received the Merit Award for a thinning operation on the Gilchrist State Forest that included removing overcrowded lodgepole and ponderosa pine trees and brush to improve forest health by reducing drought stress among remaining trees, and improve habitat for deer and elk. It also protected neighboring communities by lowering the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

Northwest Oregon 

• Emerald Valley Thinning based in Philomath, Ore., earned the Merit Award for harvesting extremely steep slopes in the Coast Range using tethered logging and hand cutting to protect buffer trees along the Siuslaw River. They also succeeded in following new Forest Practice Act rules protecting trees in the harvest unit located in steep slope areas at risk of sliding.
• Rick Dennis of RDL Northwest, headquartered in Lebanon, Ore., received the Merit Award for his careful planning of units to be harvested. Nominators cited how he employs multiple logging methods and different types of machinery on steep units and consistently protects stream buffers and soils from disturbance.

* Oregon enacted the Forest Practices Act in 1971 as a national model for forest management laws. The law focuses on ensuring responsible forest operations and protecting natural resources in forestland. The Act has been updated many times based on new scientific information and values to create a balanced approach to natural resource management. 

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Bend-based Company Is Among Top Forest Operators For 2025 Announced By Oregon Department Of Forestry (Photo) - 12/03/25

SALEM, Ore. – Two loggers and a forest road builder have been chosen as Operator of is the Year for their respective region of Oregon. Three regional advisory committees to the Oregon Board of Forestry selected the trio earlier this fall. The recipients will be recognized in Salem at the January meeting of the Board. The honorees are: 

• Eastern Oregon—Boulder Ridge, LLC, headquartered in Bend, Ore.
• Southwest Oregon—Roseburg-based Weber Logging and Construction, Inc. 
• Northwest Oregon—Quality Excavation, Inc., out of Seaside, Ore.  

The award recognizes forest operators who, while harvesting timber or doing other forestry work, protect natural resources at a level that consistently meets or exceeds requirements of the Oregon Forest Practices Act *. That law requires people to manage forests responsibly and protect streams and water quality, protect and enhance habitat, and reduce landslide risks. The law also requires landowners to replant forests after harvesting.  

Videos about each of the three Operators of the Year and five Merit Award winners, including Jeff Maben in Grant County and Staton Forestry for work done on the Gilchrist State Forest, can be viewed on the ODF website at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Working/Pages/default.aspx 

Eastern Oregon 

Landowner Shanda Asset Management nominated for Operator of the Year Boulder Ridge’s work thinning nearly 2,000 acres of overcrowded ponderosa pine and white fir on the eastern slopes of the Cascades. The selection committee agreed the work was exemplary and chose the firm as this year’s top operator for Eastern Oregon.

“This harvest was a challenge because there wasn’t capacity at the one local mill to take all the harvested logs, so Boulder had to schedule 14 different trucks heading to Gilchrist, Sisters, Culver, Christmas Valley, and as far away as Roseburg,” said Aidan Myers, Director of Timber Operations for Shanda.

Besides reducing risk of catastrophic wildfire by reducing overcrowding, Myers also cited Boulder’s improving the health of the forest by carefully removing trees infested with dwarf mistletoe, which can kill or weaken trees, and which spreads more easily in crowded stands.

View a video of the company’s work at Eastern Oregon Operator of the Year for 2025, Winner - Boulder Ridge LLC - YouTube

Southwest Oregon 

Austin Weber and his company Weber Logging and Construction were chosen as Operator of the Year for the Southwest Oregon Region for successfully working under new Forest Practices Act rules requiring him to protect a half dozen stands of trees in especially steep areas at risk of landslides. Leaving trees in those stands served various purposes, including protecting soils from erosion and downstream water from sediments. Trees left standing would also be available when they eventually fell over to deliver woody debris for future fish habitat. To do so, Weber had to set up multiple yarding sites and haul logs up to landings on the side of the road above the harvest unit.

Michael Williams of Roseburg Forest Products, who nominated Weber, said he also protected a fish-bearing stream in the unit, avoiding damage to trees in the stream buffer. Williams noted that Weber has for almost 20 years consistently excelled at protecting natural resources while harvesting in some of the most challenging situations in the region.

View video about Weber’s work at Southwest Oregon Operator of the Year for 2025, Winner - Weber Logging and Construction

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Northwest Oregon 

ODF Stewardship Foresters Craig Sorter and Bryce Rodgers co-nominated Quality Excavation for Operator of the Year for the Northwest Oregon Region. Sorter said, “Small culverts installed in the first half of the 20^th century before current rules were in place often blocked fish passage, preventing fish from spawning in upstream habitat. When landowner Lewis and Clark Timberlands wanted to log a parcel in the Coast Range, they knew they would need to upgrade the road to allow hauling and replace the old culvert beneath it. So their timber management company Nuveen called on the highly experienced firm of Quality Excavation.” 

With an eye toward the future of the company, Quality Excavation’s founder Jay Bergeson entrusted the work of replacing the failing culvert on the North Fork of the Necanicum River in the Coast Range to his 28-year-old son Cole. Cole, who had been learning the business alongside his father from a young age, and a Quality Excavation crew, replaced the culvert with a massive new one. They then rebuilt the logging road over it to allow the landowner to harvest trees beyond that point.

Sorter said Quality Excavation had to divert the stream during the project through hundreds of yards of pipe, then dig out the old culvert, including old-growth logs that it had been placed atop. Cole then had to dig a new bed and place the larger, extra-long new culvert at an angle and level that would allow stream flow and fish passage through it. Then he anchored it in place with stone quarried on site, building the haul road back up to grade.

“Quality Excavation did an excellent job, even hiring a bobcat to lay a natural bed of rock in the pipe to make fish passage easier,” Sorter said. “No sediment got in the stream during the work and now fish are able to get to habitat upstream that was previously blocked.”

Watch a video about the company’s work at Northwest Oregon Operator of the Year for 2025, Winner - Quality Excavation, Inc. 

ODF Forest Resources Division Chief Josh Barnard said, “the selection committees worked very hard this year when choosing these honors, given the high quality of the nominees.” 

Barnard said nominees showed they could meet the challenge of working under new rules that came into effect this year. The updated Oregon Forest Practices Act rules provide more protection for forest resources, such as protecting trees and soil in especially steep areas at risk of sliding.  

“Many of the harvest sites this year had quite challenging terrain,” said Barnard. “The Operators of the Year showed extraordinary care and diligence to protect slopes and streams, reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire, and improve forest health to meet landowner objectives. We’re proud to recognize those efforts.” 

Merit Awards

Merit Awards were also given to five other companies. 

Eastern Oregon 

• Forestry consultant Jeff Maben earned the Merit Award for his work with private landowners in and around Grant County, helping them improve forest health through removal of encroaching juniper and thinning of overcrowded ponderosa pine stands. His work increased water flow in local creeks, rejuvenated aspen groves, and reduced shade on mountain mahogany, an important source of winter browse for elk. It also reduced the risk of catastrophic wildfire.
• Staton Forestry received the Merit Award for a thinning operation on the Gilchrist State Forest that included removing overcrowded lodgepole and ponderosa pine trees and brush to improve forest health by reducing drought stress among remaining trees while improving habitat for deer and elk. It also protected neighboring communities by lowering the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

Southwest Oregon 

• Dave Wilkerson Logging, LLC, based in Eagle Point, Ore. won the Merit Award for stopping work a number of times during an especially wet spring to avoid rutting and soil damage. He was also commended for doing an excellent job of protecting young trees in the mixed-aged stand on the western slopes of the Cascades. He also fully protected a fish-bearing stream bordering the harvest unit.

Northwest Oregon 

• Emerald Valley Thinning based in Philomath, Ore., earned the Merit Award for harvesting extremely steep slopes in the Coast Range using tethered logging and hand cutting to protect buffer trees along the Siuslaw River. They also succeeded in following new Forest Practice Act rules protecting trees in the harvest unit located in steep slope areas at risk of sliding.
• Rick Dennis of RDL Northwest, headquartered in Lebanon, Ore., received the Merit Award for his careful planning of units to be harvested. Nominators cited how he employs multiple logging methods and different types of machinery on steep units and consistently protects stream buffers and soils from disturbance.

* Oregon enacted the Forest Practices Act in 1971 as a national model for forest management laws. The law focuses on ensuring responsible forest operations and protecting natural resources in forestland. The Act has been updated many times based on new scientific information and values to create a balanced approach to natural resource management. 

                                                         # # # 

Oregon Department Of Forestry Announces State’s Top Forest Operators For 2025 (Photo) - 12/03/25

SALEM, Ore. – Two loggers and a forest road builder have been chosen as Operator of the Year for their respective region of Oregon. Three regional advisory committees to the Oregon Board of Forestry selected the trio earlier this fall. The recipients will be recognized in Salem at the January meeting of the Board. The honorees are: 

• Eastern Oregon—Boulder Ridge, LLC, headquartered in Bend, Ore.

• Northwest Oregon—Quality Excavation, Inc., out of Seaside, Ore.  

• Southwest Oregon—Weber Logging and Construction, Inc. of Roseburg, Ore.

The award recognizes forest operators who, while harvesting timber or doing other forestry work, have an excellent track record of protecting natural resources and improving forest health at a level that consistently meets or exceeds requirements of the Oregon Forest Practices Act *. That law requires people to manage forests responsibly and protect streams and water quality, protect and enhance habitat, and reduce landslide risks. The law also requires landowners to replant forests after harvesting.  

Videos about each of the three Operators of the Year and five Merit Award winners can be viewed on the ODF website at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/Working/Pages/default.aspx 

Eastern Oregon 

Landowner Shanda Asset Management nominated for Operator of the Year Boulder Ridge’s work thinning nearly 2,000 acres of overcrowded ponderosa pine and white fir on the eastern slopes of the Cascades. The selection committee agreed the work was exemplary and chose the firm as this year’s winner for Eastern Oregon.

“This harvest was a challenge because there wasn’t capacity at the one local mill to take all the harvested logs, so Boulder had to schedule 14 different trucks heading to Gilchrist, Sisters, Culver, Christmas Valley, and as far away as Roseburg,” said Aidan Myers, Director of Timber Operations for Shanda.

Besides reducing risk of catastrophic wildfire by reducing overcrowding, Myers also cited Boulder’s improving the health of the forest by carefully removing trees infested with dwarf mistletoe, which can kill or weaken trees, and which spreads more easily in crowded stands.

View a video of the company’s work at Eastern Oregon Operator of the Year for 2025, Winner - Boulder Ridge LLC - YouTube

Northwest Oregon 

ODF Stewardship Foresters Craig Sorter and Bryce Rodgers co-nominated Quality Excavation for Operator of the Year for the Northwest Oregon Region. Sorter said, “Small culverts installed in the first half of the 20^th century before current rules were in place often blocked fish passage, preventing fish from spawning in upstream habitat. When landowner Lewis and Clark Timberlands wanted to log a parcel in the Coast Range, they knew they would need to upgrade the road to allow hauling and replace the old culvert beneath it. So their timber management company Nuveen called on the highly experienced firm of Quality Excavation.” 

With an eye toward the future of the company, Quality Excavation’s founder Jay Bergeson entrusted the work of replacing the failing culvert on the North Fork of the Necanicum River in the Coast Range to his 28-year-old son Cole. Cole, who had been learning the business alongside his father from a young age, and a Quality Excavation crew, replaced the culvert with a massive new one. They then rebuilt the logging road over it to allow the landowner to harvest trees beyond that point.

Sorter said Quality Excavation had to divert the stream during the project through hundreds of yards of pipe, then dig out the old culvert, including old-growth logs that it had been placed atop. Cole then had to dig a new bed and place the larger, extra-long new culvert at an angle and level that would allow stream flow and fish passage through it. Then he anchored it in place with stone quarried on site, building the haul road back up to grade.

“Quality Excavation did an excellent job, even hiring a bobcat to lay a natural bed of rock in the pipe to make fish passage easier,” Sorter said. “No sediment got in the stream during the work and now fish are able to get to habitat upstream that was previously blocked.”

Watch a video about the company’s work at Northwest Oregon Operator of the Year for 2025, Winner - Quality Excavation, Inc. 

Southwest Oregon 

Austin Weber and his company Weber Logging and Construction were chosen as Operator of the Year for the Southwest Oregon Region for successfully working under new Forest Practices Act rules requiring him to protect a half dozen stands of trees in especially steep areas at risk of landslides. Leaving trees in those stands served various purposes, including protecting soils from erosion and downstream water from sediments. Trees left standing would also be available when they eventually fell over to deliver woody debris for future fish habitat. To do so, Weber had to set up multiple yarding sites and haul logs up to landings on the side of the road above the harvest unit.

Michael Williams of Roseburg Forest Products, who nominated Weber, said he also protected a fish-bearing stream in the unit, avoiding damage to trees in the stream buffer. Williams noted that Weber has for almost 20 years consistently excelled at protecting natural resources while harvesting in some of the most challenging situations in the region.

View video about Weber’s work at Southwest Oregon Operator of the Year for 2025, Winner - Weber Logging and Construction

Merit Awards

Merit Awards were also given to five other companies. 

Eastern Oregon 

• Forestry consultant Jeff Maben earned the Merit Award for his work with private landowners in and around Grant County, helping them improve forest health through removal of encroaching juniper and thinning of overcrowded ponderosa pine stands. His work increased water flow in local creeks, rejuvenated aspen groves, and reduced shade on mountain mahogany, an important source of winter browse for elk. It also reduced the risk of catastrophic wildfire.
• Staton Forestry received the Merit Award for a thinning operation on the Gilchrist State Forest that included removing overcrowded lodgepole and ponderosa pine trees and brush to improve forest health by reducing drought stress among remaining trees while improving habitat for deer and elk. The thinning also protected neighboring communities from the risk of catastrophic wildfire.

Northwest Oregon 

• Emerald Valley Thinning based in Philomath, Ore., earned the Merit Award for harvesting extremely steep slopes in the Coast Range using tethered logging and hand cutting to protect buffer trees along the Siuslaw River. They also succeeded in following new Forest Practice Act rules protecting trees in the harvest unit located in steep slope areas at risk of sliding.
• Rick Dennis of RDL Northwest, headquartered in Lebanon, Ore., received the Merit Award for his careful planning of units to be harvested. Nominators cited how he employs multiple logging methods and different types of machinery on steep units and consistently protects stream buffers and soils from disturbance.

 Southwest Oregon 

• Dave Wilkerson Logging, LLC, based in Eagle Point, Ore. won the Merit Award for stopping work a number of times during an especially wet spring to avoid rutting and soil damage. He was also commended for doing an excellent job of protecting young trees in the mixed-aged stand on the western slopes of the Cascades. He also fully protected a fish-bearing stream bordering the harvest unit.

ODF Forest Resources Division Chief Josh Barnard said, “the selection committees worked very hard this year when choosing these honors, given the high quality of the nominees.” 

Barnard said nominees showed they could meet the challenge of working under new rules that came into effect this year. The updated Oregon Forest Practices Act rules provide more protection for forest resources, such as protecting trees and soil in especially steep areas at risk of sliding.  

“Many of the harvest sites this year had quite challenging terrain,” said Barnard. “The Operators of the Year showed extraordinary care and diligence to protect slopes and streams, reduce risk of catastrophic wildfire, and improve forest health to meet landowner objectives. We’re proud to recognize those efforts.” 

* Oregon enacted the Forest Practices Act in 1971 as a national model for forest management laws. The law focuses on ensuring responsible forest operations and protecting natural resources in forestland. The Act has been updated many times based on new scientific information and values to create a balanced approach to natural resource management. 

                                                         # # # 

Walker Point Meadow Project Buzzing With Native Pollinators Thanks To Unique Work Partnership (Photo) - 12/02/25

Veneta, Ore.--An energetic work party consisting of volunteers and staff from the Oregon Hunters Association – Emerald Valley Chapter, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Oregon Department of Forestry gathered at the Walker Point meadow habitat project site to remove invasive vegetation, including foxglove and thistle, earlier this year. 

“This is the second year for the meadow, and our summertime pollinator monitoring found the restored meadow was buzzing with native pollinators including five bumble bee species, as well as numerous butterfly and other various bee and insect species,” said Randy Smith, ODF State Forests Wildlife Biologist.

It takes a lot of work to keep the native pollinator plants thriving at the meadow.

“All the partners came together for the day to remove the invasive plant species to reduce competition with the native pollinator plants that we seeded the previous year,” said Smith.  “We removed everything by hand, eliminating the need to spray herbicides within the meadow,” said Smith.  

The four-acre Walker Meadows site is located about 13 miles west of Veneta and is at an elevation of 2,300 feet. It’s at the top of Walker Point, where there are also three communication towers and an ODF smoke detection camera. The 2020 wildfires prompted a timber sale to reduce fire risk and limit potential damage to infrastructure from falling trees from the 84-year-old timber stand on the point. At the same time ODFW was looking for suitable sites for an upland meadow. The two agencies worked together to prepare the site, with ODFW receiving grant funding to remove 4.3 acres of stumps and level the ground to make the area ready for replanting. Last year all the planting of native species was completed.

Now the project is seeing good results in its second year.

“The meadow is not just for pollinators but a wide ranges of wildlife,” said Smith. “Donated nest boxes installed the first year successfully fledged violet-green swallows, and ODFW Conservation Strategy Species including western bluebirds and purple martins this nesting season.”

It also provides good forage for larger mammals like deer and elk and an array of small ones too.

“The Oregon Hunter’s Association—Emerald Valley Chapter was looking for a volunteer project, and this project aligned with both our goals,” said Smith. “Four acres doesn’t sound like a big area until you start pulling those weeds.  They were key in providing enough people to get those invasive plants out.”

Recently after native plants finished flowering, ODFW mowed a large portion of the meadow to promote native plant development, improve forage quality for wildlife, and further reduce invasive plant competition.

“Our goal is to keep this going for years to provided unique habitat and long-term research on species of interest,” said Smith.  “A huge thank you to our partners for continuing work to maintain a unique habitat feature in the Coast Range.”

For more information on ODF’s efforts see the State Forests webpage under the heading of “Conservation and Restoration”  

For more information on ODFW, see their Wildlife Division website. 

For more on the Oregon Hunter’s Association—Emerald Valley Chapter, see their Facebook page. 

Adaptive Management Program Committee Meets Dec. 8 - 12/01/25

SALEM, Ore. — The Adaptive Management Program Committee will meet virtually at noon on Monday, Dec. 8. To join, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Elect co-chair to new two-year term (Substantial decision item)
• 2025 year in review
• 2026 work plan
• Update AMPC charter (Substantial decision item)

The meeting is open to the public to attend online via Teams. 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 in advance of the meeting at 503-945-7200 or by email at 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.

South Fork Forest Camp Crew Cleans Up Large Illegal Dump Site In Tillamook State Forest (Photo) - 11/21/25

Tillamook State Forest—An unusually large illegal dump site in the Tillamook State Forest has been cleaned up thanks to the work of adults in custody (AICs) from South Fork Forest Camp (SFFC).

“It was a big mess and a risk to the public and the environment,” said Zach Rabe, the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Tillamook District Operations Coordinator. “The South Fork crew hauled off 12 dump trailers full of garbage.”

When the SFFC crews work on illegal dump site cleanups it’s typically a one- or two-day task.

“This one site took us a week,” said Chad Powell, Institution Work Programs Coordinator at SFFC. “It looked like someone took the entire contents of their house and put it in the woods. Even though this is dirty and kind of gross work, the AICs took pride in working fast and loading the trailer efficiently to make as few trips as possible.”

While AICs wear basic protective equipment when handling materials, it is important to ensure that more dangerous substances are not present. Before the crew could begin the cleanup, law enforcement swept the camp for hazardous materials.

“Safety is a top concern when we remove any illegal dump site—we just don’t know what is in these sites,” said Rabe. “If any hazardous materials are found, then we must hire HAZMAT contractors who wear full personal protective equipment. Those types of cleanups are very expensive.”

None was found at this site on Fox Ridge Road off State Highway 6, so SFFC crews could do the work. Even so, Rabe estimated it would end up costing $8,000 to remove all the junk.

Illegal dumping in Oregon’s State Forests is a growing and expensive problem. 

“We are not sure why, but since 2021 we have seen a lot more illegal dumping,” said Rabe.  “For example, we would typically find just one or two abandoned vehicles in our district each year. Now we are seeing around 10 a year.”

Those cars and large RVs are expensive and difficult to remove.

“Some are burned out, and most are in remote areas, so it is hard to find towing companies willing to do the work,” said Rabe. “When they are able to be accessed for removal, getting them out of the forest costs around $3,700 for an RV and about $550 for a car.”

Although ODF workers find some dump sites and abandoned vehicles, many are reported by concerned citizens.

“If you see a dump site or abandoned vehicle, take a photo and note the location and contact us,” said Rabe. 

The dumping problem has grown so much and is so difficult to track that ODF just went live with a new mapping system to keep better track of garbage, vehicles and vandalism.

“We just started using the new Vandalism Activity Tracking System last week,” said Rabe.  “It is a field map-based system that allows us to plot points and mark whether it is a garbage, vehicle or vandalism act that we need to take some action to remediate.”

With the new tool and better tracking, the Tillamook district and other ODF districts should be able to budget better for cleanup costs.

“This should allow us to better understand this growing problem and hopefully find more funding, whether through our budget or by applying for grants, to fix these problems.”

Back at South Fork Forest Camp, which is jointly owned and operated by the Oregon Departments of Corrections and Forestry, the AICs do much more for state forests than just cleanups.

“Nearly all of our 120 or so AICs are trained in wildfire suppression—and are assigned to  10-person crews to fight wildfires, we have workshops that supply all the wooden signs for state forests, they are a key part of the recreation program helping to maintain trails and doing building projects at campgrounds, there is a fish hatchery on site and much more,” said Powell.

Not only does SFFC provide cost effective, skilled AICs for state forests, but it gives the AICs a great opportunity to improve their job skills.

“One of our main objectives is to help reduce recidivism by modeling pro social behavior and teach work skills that help adults in custody be productive citizens upon release,” said Powell. “We are doing that here every day and setting these men up for a chance at a successful future.”

Go here for more information about SFFC.

To report vandalism, garbage or an abandoned vehicle in ODF’s Tillamook District call (503) 842-2545.  

To find other ODF district contact info go here.

Go here for more on State Forests.

Improving Habitat, Water Quality Goals Of State Forest Stream Enhancement Projects (Photo) - 11/20/25

Clatsop State Forest—The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) completed a stream enhancement project on Rock Creek in the Clatsop State Forest this summer to improve stream habitat and water quality.

“The goal of this project was to restore natural stream processes and instream complexity by placing large wood into the stream channel to improve spawning and rearing habitat, fish production, and water quality,” said Erik Moberly, Aquatic and Riparian Specialist for ODF’s State Forest Division. “The trees, some with root wads attached, that were placed will help influence the formation of pools, spawning gravels, and provide cover for aquatic species.”

Rock Creek is a tributary to the Nehalem River in Clatsop County and is home to several anadromous fish species—fish that live in saltwater but migrate to fresh water to spawn—including Endangered Species Act-listed Coho salmon, fall Chinook, winter steelhead and Pacific lamprey. Cutthroat trout and other native fish species are also found in Rock Creek.

Trees for the project were selected from an adjacent timber sale based on size and stream characteristics and staged near the placement sites. An excavator operated by Bighorn Logging out of Banks, Oregon, was used to move the trees into the stream.  The placements were originally planned to be implemented with a cable yarder, but Stimson Lumber agreed to provide access to their road network resulting in more precise placement of the logs.

A total of 30 trees were used across five sites, resulting in enhancements to approximately 1,000 feet of stream. Project costs were around $5,000, excluding the staff time to plan and implement the project.

“Mike Morton, a road specialist from the Forest Grove District, administered the contract from a nearby timber sale where the trees originated from and assisted with the project to help keep costs down,” said Moberly.  “With the trees already being felled and operators on-site it’s a commonsense approach.  We also partner with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, private landowners and operators, and in many cases non-profit groups like local watershed councils.”

The goal is to enhance Oregon’s state forests for all its residents.

“State Forest lands are actively managed under forest management plans to provide economic, environmental, and social benefits to Oregonians,” said Moberly. “Projects like these positively impact all three of those goals.”

 For more on Oregon’s State Forests see the ODF website.

Emergency Fire Cost Committee Meets Nov. 26 - 11/19/25

SALEM, Ore. — The Emergency Fire Cost Committee (EFCC) will meet at 10 a.m. on Nov. 26, 2025, in the Tillamook Room, Building C, Oregon Department of Forestry at 2600 State Street in Salem. This is the first meeting of the new EFCC since the passage of HB 3940 in the 2025 Legislative Session that resulted in changes to committee membership, fiduciary responsibilities and purpose. The new law shifts the committee's focus from large fire costs to preparedness (district and association fiscal budgets) but retains strategic investment authority. To join virtually, please use the Teams video conference information found on the agenda.

The committee’s agenda includes:

• Selection of committee chair
• Fire season report
• Discussion of EFCC’s new role in the statewide protection system under House Bill (HB) 3940
• Decisions on policy and Oregon Administrative Rule changes resulting from HB 3940
• 2026 meeting schedule
• Administrator report

The meeting is open to the public to attend in-person or virtually via Teams. Public comments will be accepted near the end of the meeting. Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services, or assistance can be arranged by calling at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting at 503-881-8292 or by email at lorna.m.hobbs@odf.oregon.gov.

The Emergency Fire Cost Committee (EFCC) oversees the Oregon Forest Land Protection Fund (OFLPF), established by the Oregon Legislature as a fund with the purpose of providing funds for fiscal year budgets of forest protection districts, investments in supplemental fire prevention, detection or suppression resources that enhance fire protection in the state and issuing loans to the Oregon Department of Forestry or forest protection associations that relate to wildfire costs. View more information on the EFCC webpage.