Sixth Grade Forestry Days Media Opportunity Sept. 25 (Photo) - 09/19/25

Sixth graders from Clatsop County get hands-on experience in possible forestry careers. Anticipate approximately 400 students from area schools will rotate through 10 different stations.

What: Watch students from Knappa, Seaside, Jewell and Anchor Christian Academy participate and rotate through 10 different stations: tree planting, plant identification, wildland fire fighting, wood products, fisheries, recreation, wildlife rescue, restoration, fungi in the forest and tree measurements.

Visuals: See students receive hands-on training on how to plant trees, use a fire hose to hit a target, learn about on-site local fish, take a hike, ID plants and much more.

People on-site available to interview: Students and teachers, experts from the Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon State University Extension Service, Oregon Parks and Recreation, Clatsop County Fisheries, Lewis and Clark National Historic Park, Wildlife Center of the North Coast, Oregon Women in Timber, Hampton Lumber, Nuveen Natural Capital, North Coast Watershed Association as well other local volunteers.  

When: Sept 25

Time: 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Best visuals and station rotations occur 9 a.m.–noon. Note: This is a two-day event but photo release and coordination for spokespeople are for Sept 25 only, NOT the first day, Sept. 24.

Where: ODF’s Demonstration Forest and Arboretum adjacent to the Clatsop County Fairgrounds and ODF’s district offices. Address for ODF office: 92219 OR-202, Astoria, OR 97103

Please send an RSVP by end of the day Sept. 23 so we can plan to have people available for interviews. All stations are outdoors so dress for the weather that day. RSVP to tim.l.hoffman@odf.oregon.gov. For more information contact: Tim Hoffman, ODF public affairs, (503) 983-3761 (cell phone good for day of the event too). If your schedule changes, we can accommodate last-minute coverage.

Fast facts background and purpose:

• The event has been hosted by the Clatsop County natural resource community since 1960.
• More than 400 students attend each year.
• Top goal is to get students interested in exploring and learning about the broad career opportunities in forestry and natural resources.
• Highlights the partnerships it takes to manage forests for all Oregonians.

List of stations: