[ODF_Private_Forests] Family forestlands advisory group meets October 23

[WEEKS Kevin]

Oregon Department of Forestry
NEWS RELEASE


Family forestlands advisory group meets October 23



October 13, 2009

Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427



Family forestland owners make a significant contribution to Oregon:

•        Small-acreage private woodland owners and forest-owning families manage 4.7 million acres of Oregon’s forests, about 15 percent of the state’s forest footprint.

•        153,000 small forests cover the state ranging from one acre to 500 acres, including 57,000 family-owned forests between ten and 49 acres in size.

•        11 percent of Oregon’s wood products are generated by small-woodland or family forests.



More than half of Oregon’s family forest owners are over 65, with many in their 70’s and 80’s. Many thousands of acres of Oregon’s forest land are poised to change ownership within the next decade, with economic pressures driving both new and long-time forest owners to consider converting their forest to other uses, including residential development or commercial land.



Family forest owners have a voice in Oregon’s forest policy development through the 10-member Committee for Family Forestlands, which serves an advisory role to the Oregon Board of Forestry regarding issues of concern to Oregon’s family-owned forests.



The Committee for Family Forestlands will meet at 9:00 a.m. on Friday October 23, 2009 at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in Salem, 2600 State Street (Operations Building D, Santiam meeting room). The public is invited to attend and participate in the advisory committee meeting.



The agenda for the meeting is currently under development; however committee members will hear reports from ODF staff regarding the impacts to family forest owners of budget reductions in the 2009-2011 budget for the Oregon Department of Forestry.



The membership of the Committee includes family forest landowners, forest industry representatives, environmental community and public members, and staff representing the Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon State University and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute.



Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-945-7427.



Additional information about the Committee for Family Forestlands is also available on the Oregon Department of Forestry’s web site at: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/CFF/cff.shtml



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Kevin Weeks

Oregon Department of Forestry

Agency Affairs Office

(503) 945-7427