SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon Board of Forestry welcomed two new members at its June 6 meeting.
Bob Van Dyk, of Forest Grove, and Heath Curtiss, of Silverton, were appointed by Gov. Tina Kotek to complete the terms of two departing board members, Chandra Ferrari and Karla Chambers, which run through March 2025. The Oregon Senate confirmed their appointments on May 31.
Van Dyk has been involved in forest policy since 1997, first as a private citizen and later while employed by a fisheries conservation group. His work includes participation in smaller planning efforts, such as that for the Forest Grove Watershed; medium planning efforts, such as that for the Elliott State Forest; and statewide efforts, such as the Private Forest Accord, a process which he co-chaired for the conservation community. He taught at Pacific University for 20 years after completing an undergraduate degree in history from Duke University and a doctorate in political science from the University of Washington.
"Oregon's is blessed with awesome forests that make our state a great place to live,” Van Dyk said. “But too often we've taken more from our forests than we should have, leaving us with a list of imperiled species. And now climate change and related fires make it even harder to find sustainable policies. Fortunately there seems to be an increased interest in putting aside old battles to find pragmatic solutions, and I look forward to contributing to that effort through service on the board."
Curtiss, of Silverton, serves as General Counsel for Hampton Lumber. Heath grew up in the mountains of northeast Oregon, earned his degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics from Oregon State University, and graduated from Lewis & Clark Law School with a certificate in environmental law. Before working at Hampton, Heath was General Counsel for the Oregon Forest Industries Council and an attorney at Stoel Rives, LLP, specializing in natural resources law and policy. Heath also serves on the Oregon FFA Foundation Board.
“Oregon is home to some of the most sustainably managed forests on the planet” Curtiss said. “Maintaining healthy and productive forests in a way that continues to provide a multitude of environmental and social benefits will require a balanced approach that is informed, inclusive, and reflective of the needs and realities of our forests and the communities that depend on them. I believe most Oregonians want the Board of Forestry to strive for such balance and I’m looking forward to being part of the discussion.”
The Oregon Board of Forestry consists of seven citizens nominated by the Governor and confirmed by the Oregon Senate. Responsibilities include appointing the State Forester, setting management direction for state-owned forests, adopting rules governing timber harvest and other practices on private forestland, and promoting sustainable management of Oregon’s 30-million-acre forestland base.