Tillamook Forest Center 20th Anniversary Celebration -- Donor Reunion (Photo) - 09/18/26

PRESS RELEASE                          FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Headline: Donors who helped build the Tillamook Forest Center gather to celebrate the impact of the Forest Center on multiple generations of students and visitors

Dateline: September 18, 2026

Introduction (Lead Paragraph): 

• Who / What:  The State Forests Trust of Oregon (formerly the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust) is hosting a reunion of donors and others who helped build the Tillamook Forest Center in celebration of the Center’s 20^th Anniversary. 
• When:  The event will take place on October 9^th, from 11 am to 3 pm, repeating October 10^th from 11 am to 3 pm. The formal program begins at 11 am each day, with guided backstage tours at 1.  A light luncheon will be served to invited guests, with plenty of time to also socialize and view the exhibits on display in the center.
• Where:   At the Tillamook Forest Center:  45500 OR 6, Tillamook, Oregon 97141.
• Why: Businesses, individuals, philanthropists and government agencies came together to raise $10 million to build the center, with additional funds raised to build the Education Pavillion and the Smith Homestead. It was an incredible outpouring from Oregonians representing every walk of life to realize a vision that was sparked by the massive grassroots efforts that led to the reforestation of the Tillamook Forest after the devastating fires during the mid-late decades of the 20^th century which also led to the creation of the Tillamook State Forest and innovations in logging, forest management, fire management, restoration, and legislation. Since its opening, the center has served nearly 1 million visitors. 

Quotes: 

Katie Hooker, Corporate Giving Manager, Weyerhaeuser Corp  870-584-7074

“We appreciate the opportunity to see the lasting impact of the Tillamook Forest Center and look forward to…the event.”

Virginia Ohler, Executive Director, State Forests Trust of Oregon: The Trust is delighted to host this celebration: to acknowledge the incredible grassroots movement that led to it’s creation, and to recognize and celebrate the work of the Forest Center and it’s staff over the last twenty years. 

ABOUT US:  The State Forests Trust of Oregon is an independent, 501-c-3 charitable non-profit organization dedicated to helping Oregonians and visitors enjoy and appreciate Oregon state forests. The Trust helps fund improved access for anglers, off-road vehicle enthusiasts, hikers, and other people as they experience the wonder of Oregon’s beautiful natural heritage.

In addition, the State Forests Trust of Oregon (SFT) supports programs to deepen Oregonian’s understanding of the many benefits of state forests.

Founded in 1999, SFT (formerly  “Tillamook Forest  Heritage Trust”) brought the community together to build the Tillamook Forest Center, where visitors learn about the Tillamook Forest’s first inhabitants, the disastrous wildfires of early last century, as well as the work of the Oregon Department of Forestry to manage state forests. The Trust helps expand trail systems, promote education and learning about and on state forestlands, and helps restore areas impacted by the 2020 Labor Day fires.  

https://www.stateforeststrust.org/

Media Contact: 

Virginia Ohler, Executive Director, State Forests Trust:  503-310-9585  virginia.ohler@stateforeststrust.org

MEDIA KIT:

https://www.tillamookforestcenter.org/press/mediakit

PHOTO GALLERY:

https://www.tillamookforestcenter.org/press/photogallery

AWARDS:

https://www.tillamookforestcenter.org/press/awards

LINK TO VIDEO:

https://www.youtube.com/@StateForestsTrustofOregon

Resources for fact checking:

https://www.tillamookforestcenter.org/

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