From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Mar 1 08:52:04 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2011 08:52:04 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Oregon Roundtable on Sustainable Forests meets on March 4 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601E2D3EA3A@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry News Brief Released: February 28, 2011 Oregon Roundtable on Sustainable Forests meets on March 4 WHAT: Engaging Oregonians through collaborative efforts to advance understanding, assessment, and reporting of forest sustainability. The Roundtable is an open, participant-driven network and a forum for discussion and action; a gathering place for anyone who is interested in Oregon?s forests ? to share information, evaluate and discuss forest conditions and trends, build common ground, and help shape a common understanding and vision for the future of Oregon?s forests. During this meeting, the Roundtable will close out initial discussion on indicators of sustainable forest management on the biologic integrity of forest streams, tree mortality, and invasive species trends. The Roundtable will also review and evaluate indicators relating to sustainable forest management knowledge and ability to measure and report on all other indicators, forest ecosystem services contributions to society, forest road risks to soil and water resources, and forest fuel conditions related to wildfire risks. WHO: The Oregon Roundtable on Sustainable Forests. WHEN: 9 a.m. ? 3:30 p.m., Friday, March 4, 2011. WHERE: Tillamook Conference Room ? Building C, Oregon Department of Forestry, Salem Campus, 2600 State Street, Salem. WHY: The Roundtable creates the opportunity to promote forest resource management in a manner that integrates environmental, economic, and social considerations, using the goals and objectives of the Forestry Program for Oregon and the Oregon Indicators of Sustainable Forest Management as common state frameworks. MORE INFORMATION: More information about the Roundtable, including the March 4 meeting agenda, is available on the Roundtable?s website at: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/indicators/roundtable.shtml. Contact: David Morman, Oregon Department of Forestry, at 503-945-7413 or dmorman at odf.state.or.us. ### -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: image001.jpg Type: application/octet-stream Size: 2620 bytes Desc: image001.jpg URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Mar 1 16:24:23 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 1 Mar 2011 16:24:23 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] State Forests Advisory Committee meets March 11 in Forest Grove Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601E2CDBC24@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE For immediate release: March 1, 2011 Contact: Kevin Weeks, 503-945-7427 State Forests Advisory Committee meets March 11 in Forest Grove An advisory group to the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) regarding state-managed forestland in northwest Oregon will meet on Friday March 11 in Forest Grove to discuss implementation plans on state forestland within ODF's Forest Grove and Astoria districts. The State Forests Advisory Committee will meet at the Forest Grove Community Auditorium, 1915 Main Street from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Members of the public are invited to attend and participate in the meeting. Public comment is scheduled to be heard at 2:00 p.m. The full agenda for the meeting is available on the ODF web site at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/STATE_FORESTS/docs/SFAC031111agenda.pdf The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodation for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-945-7427. ODF's State Forests Advisory Committee is made up of citizens and interest group representatives from timber, environmental and recreational groups. The committee provides a forum to discuss issues, opportunities and concerns, and offer advice and guidance to ODF on the implementation of the Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan (NW FMP). The plan provides guidance for managing 616,000 acres within the Tillamook, Clatsop and Santiam State Forests, and several scattered state-owned forest tracts in Benton, Polk, Lincoln and Lane counties. The NW FMP calls for the Forestry Department to actively manage the state forestlands for economic, environmental and social resource benefits. The plan provides a balanced approach to generate revenue while also placing environmental and social resource benefits as a priority. The Oregon Department of Forestry provides land management of 818,000 acres of forest within Oregon, concentrated in six large State Forests and numerous small forest tracts in 15 Oregon counties. Two-thirds of the revenue generated from timber sales goes to the counties that deeded these lands to the state. ODF retains one-third of revenues to manage the forestlands and protect these public assets from fire. Additional information is available on the ODF web site, www.oregon.gov/ODF ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer ODF Agency Affairs (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Mar 4 15:12:26 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2011 15:12:26 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Board meeting, pesticide workshop scheduled March 9, 10 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601E2CDC16A@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Dept. of Forestry issued this news release today. Forestry Board meeting, pesticide workshop scheduled March 9, 10 For immediate release Major media distribution March 4, 2011 Contact: Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425, rnichols at odf.state.or.us Dan Postrel, 503-945-7420, dpostrel at odf.state.or.us Management of state-owned forests and general development trends on forestland are among topics on t the agenda for the Oregon Board of Forestry at its regular business meeting on March 9 in Salem. The Board will hold a workshop the following day on forest pesticide policy. BOARD MEETING MARCH 9 The meeting agenda includes the following topics: "Forests, Farms and People" report - The board will receive results of the 2009 update of this report, which examines land-use change on non-federal land in Oregon from 1974 through 2009. Some of the key findings include: * Ninety-eight percent of all non-federal land that was in forest, agricultural and rangeland uses in Oregon in 1974 remained in those uses in 2009; * A significant shift occurred on private land, with more than a half-million acres changing from forest, agricultural and range uses to low-density residential or urban uses; * Development of resource lands declined after land-use plans were implemented in the mid-1980s. The report also notes that resource lands in western Oregon are being developed at much slower rates than resource lands in western Washington, even when differences in population growth rates are considered. Biological diversity conservation - The board will receive a paper addressing biological diversity in Oregon's forests. An advisory committee to the board recommended that Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) scientists cooperate with other public- and private-sector experts to develop the paper. The aim is to acquaint board members with contemporary knowledge of biological diversity and current efforts to conserve it in Oregon. The document answers such questions as: ? What is biological diversity? ? What is being done to assess, protect and manage biological diversity in Oregon forestlands? ? What knowledge about biological diversity at regional and watershed scales can be gained from a set of indicators of forest sustainability, developed by a broad-based group, that the board has endorsed? State Forests draft rule concepts - As part of its ongoing discussion of two administrative rules central to the management of Oregon's state forests, the board will review draft narrative statements for: ? the "Greatest Permanent Value" rule, which defines the purpose of lands under board jurisdiction, and, ? the rule that provides structure and process for state forest planning activities. The narratives are intended to serve as the basis for further work that could result in proposals for rule changes. Gilchrist State Forest carbon project - The board will receive an update on development of a carbon project for the Gilchrist State Forest located in Klamath County. An international market exists in which businesses seeking to mitigate their carbon footprint can purchase credits from other entities whose activities - such as the growing of trees remove carbon from the atmosphere. The young forest growing on the Gilchrist tract has high potential to store carbon. Board executive session - At the completion of the public agenda, the board will enter into executive session to consult with legal counsel, as provided by state law, to discuss current or potential litigation. PESTICIDE WORKSHOP MARCH 10 The workshop is part of an ongoing exploration of board authority, roles, responsibilities and relationships regarding pesticide policy. The workshop will address areas such as legal and policy framework, strategies for interagency coordination, the federal Clean Water Act, and state toxics reduction strategies. The half-day workshop will conclude with a period for questions and discussion. The board meeting and workshop will begin at 8 a.m. at Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in the Tillamook Room, Building C, 2600 State St., in Salem. The March 9 meeting is open to the public, and comments will be received on forestry-related items not included in the agenda during a general comment period shortly after 8 a.m. Members of the public wishing to comment on specific agenda items will have an opportunity to address the board during the time each item is scheduled. The March 10 workshop is also open to the public, but public comment on the subject will be taken at a later date. Accommodations for people with disabilities, and special materials, services or assistance can be arranged by calling the department's Agency Affairs Office at least 48 hours before the meeting, 503-945-7200, text telephone 503-945-7213. More information on the Board of Forestry can be found at: www.oregonforestry.gov. Background information on the March 9 meeting and March 10 workshop is available through the 2011 "Meeting Schedules" link on the website. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Sat Mar 5 14:53:17 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Sat, 5 Mar 2011 14:53:17 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] 'Forests, Farms and People' report chronicles land-use change in Oregon Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601E2D3EA4F@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Dept. of Forestry NEWS RELEASE ?Forests, Farms and People? report chronicles land-use change in Oregon For immediate release Major media distribution March 4, 2011 Contact: Gary Lettman, 503-362-7171, or Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425 ?Change is all around? is more than a throwaway line to researchers who recently published the updated ?Forests, Farms & People? report: It is the focus of intense study to measure evolving land use across Oregon. Compiled by the Oregon Department of Forestry and U.S. Forest Service from detailed analysis of thousands of aerial photographs, the 74-page report examines changes in activity on non-federal lands between 1974 and 2009. First, the good news: Ninety-eight percent of all non-federal land that was in forest, agri?cultural and range land uses in Oregon in 1974 remained in those uses in 2009. Unlike many other states, Oregon has held onto almost all of its resource land during recent decades of rapid economic growth and population expansion. Recession slows development However, the rate at which structures were being built on land in these three categories remained at a relatively high level until recently. With the start of the recession in 2007, the rate declined to its lowest level in the 35-year study period. Regional differences Private land in western Oregon was developed at a faster rate than on the eastside, with notable hotspots in the Portland area and Josephine County. The Bend area stands as the lone exception east of the Cascades, where a veritable land rush transformed the community into a construction zone from the 1980s on, finally stalling with the housing crash of the past several years. Land-use laws effective Highlighted in the report are trends in land use before and after the implementation of comprehensive land-use plans in the mid-1980s. Conversion of private land in forest, agricultural, and range uses to more developed uses slowed dramatically after the 1974-1984 period as the county plans, mandated by a 1973 state law, were implemented widely. The effect has proved long-lasting. Nearly all private land designated as non-developable zones by the counties remained in forest, agri?culture and range in the years following implementation of the plans in the mid-1980s. Conversion of land in resource uses to low-density residential or urban uses has occurred mostly on other private land zoned for development in the plans. The full text of the ?Forests, Farms & People? report, including a list of 11 key findings, will be posted soon to the Oregon Department of Forestry website - www.oregon.gov/odf. ### From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Mar 8 12:28:04 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 8 Mar 2011 12:28:04 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] New trend maps about Oregon forests available on the Web Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601E2CDC4C5@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY - News Release New trend maps about Oregon forests available on the Web March 7, 2011 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 New map data presentations released this month by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) tell the story of how the state's forest economics, conservation laws, insect or disease damage and wildfire impacts on forests have shaped Oregon during the past few decades. Seven presentations have been added to the on-line Oregon Forest Atlas [2010 Edition] on the Oregon Department of Forestry web site. The new presentations include: * Declines in the Number of Oregon Forest Product Mills, 1980-2010 * Forest History: Oregon's North Pacific Coast, 1850-1940 * Major Insect and Disease Outbreaks on Oregon Forestland, 1986-2009 * Oregon Coast Range Forestlands: Swiss Needlecast Detection, 1996-2010 * Oregon Congressionally Withdrawn Forestlands, 1960-2010 * Oregon Forestland: Severity of Large Wildfires, 1984-2008 * Sudden Oak Death Impacts on Oregon's South Coast Forests, 2001-2009 The Oregon Forest Atlas [2010 Edition] project was released last year by ODF as a way to visualize current conditions in Oregon's forests statewide. With this week's release, the atlas now shows how some key forest trends have shaped the past and future of a state where one-half of the land is forest: 30.5 million acres, making Oregon the second-most forested state by acreage in the country (behind Alaska). The map presentations form an ideal education tool, either for personal interest and awareness about Oregon forests or for more in depth studies such as school science projects, community presentations, supporting information for conservation projects in local communities or technical data for public discussions about managing forest ecosystems and habitats. The Oregon Forest Atlas [2010 Edition] can be found at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/RESOURCE_PLANNING/forestatlas.shtml Maps developed for the Oregon Forest Atlas [2010 Edition] use Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data obtained from several sources, including the U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Research Station, Oregon State University and the Oregon Department of Forestry. The Forest Atlas was created by ODF as a public education product of the Statewide Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy, which was commissioned to identify Oregon's current forest resources, develop a strategy for managing forests that are identified as priority areas in the state, and report on the effectiveness of how federal resources were used. Data contained within the Oregon Forest Atlas maps do come with limitations, including some data models relying on site information at least one year old and even in instances where satellite imagery is used, maps do not necessarily reflect conditions at a fine-detail level. Forest Atlas maps are not intended for legal, engineering or surveying purposes. The Oregon Department of Forestry provides a diverse range of services to Oregon's public, including regulations providing natural resource protection on 12 million acres of private and state-owned forest, management of 818,000 acres of State Forests and fire protection on 15.8 million acres of forest land, most of it privately owned. 2011 marks both the 100th anniversary of the Oregon Department of Forestry and the International Year of Forests recognized by the United Nations. ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry Agency Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Mar 10 15:44:16 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:44:16 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] New maps from ODF on web Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601E2DFBEA2@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News subscribers: New maps are available on the Oregon Department of Forestry web site. Information from the 2010 Statewide Aerial Survey - including maps, GIS Data, and Summary Reports - are available and Swiss Needle Cast Survey Maps, GIS Data, and Trends are available on the Forest Health page: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/privateforests/fhMaps.shtml There is also an update on the current distribution of Sudden Oak Death in southwest Oregon on the Private Forests website: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/privateforests/fhInvasives.shtml Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry Agency Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Mar 11 09:10:27 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 11 Mar 2011 09:10:27 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Shellburg Falls reopens to access March 18 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601E2D3EA65@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Dept. of Forestry issued this news release today. Shellburg Falls reopens to walk-in access on March 18 For immediate release Major media distribution March 11, 2010 Contact: Russ Lane, 503-859-4325, or Rod Nichols, 503-945-7425 Shellburg Falls Recreation Site southeast of Salem will reopen to walk-in access on March 18. The area has been closed for several months due to thinning operations. ?We appreciate everyone?s patience with the closure while forest management operations were underway,? Oregon Department of Forestry?s Russ Lane said. ?The closure was important to protect public safety during those activities.? The assistant district forester said the popular recreation area two miles north of Lyons in the Santiam State Forest will open to drive-in access and camping on the usual date of May 21. More information may be obtained by calling the department?s North Cascade District office, 503-859-2151. ### - Photo available From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Mar 14 10:45:16 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 14 Mar 2011 10:45:16 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Small-woodland owners earn seat on Committee for Family Forestlands Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601E2DFC12F@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE Small-woodland owners earn seat on Committee for Family Forestlands March 14, 2011 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 Small-acreage forest owners in Oregon will have an additional voice in forest policy following a decision made by the Oregon Board of Forestry. The Board of Forestry, at its March 9, 2011 meeting, adopted an Oregon Department of Forestry recommendation to add a non-voting seat on the Committee for Family Forestlands designated for the Oregon Small Woodlands Association (OSWA), a membership association representing Oregon landowners with between one acre and 5000 acres of forest ownership in the state. The Committee for Family Forestlands advises the Oregon Board of Forestry and the State Forester on ways to improve the vitality of Oregon's family forestlands, evaluate the impact of forest policy and regulatory changes on family forest owners, and expand opportunities for landowners to manage and market their timber, forest product and other economic resources. Twelve positions, seven voting members and five seats in non-voting roles, currently form the Committee. Voting members include family forest owners, an environmental community representative, a representative of Oregon's forest products industry and a citizen-at-large representing the public. Representatives of the Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon State University, forestry-related industry associations and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute serve in a non-voting capacity. The Committee will add a thirteenth seat with the addition of OSWA. "It is great for OSWA to have the opportunity to be an ex-officio member of the Committee," said Jim James, executive director of the Oregon Small Woodlands Association. "OSWA's Board has also approved that a member of the Committee for Family Forestlands be an ex-officio member of our Board. I believe this will bring additional small-acreage landowner representation to the Committee, and better communication to the Board of Forestry about issues of concern to OSWA members. With the many challenges facing small-woodland owners in Oregon, I see this as a win-win for helping achieve the objectives of both groups." The next meeting of the Committee for Family Forestlands is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Thursday March 31, 2011 at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in Salem. OSWA was started in 1960 when a group of Oregon small-acreage forest owners in Lane County formed a Small Woodlands Association to advocate on issues of concern to small forest owners. Landowners in other counties joined the group, which was renamed the Oregon Small Woodlands Association in 1966. Additional information about the Committee for Family Forestlands is available on the Oregon Department of Forestry's web site, www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/CFF/cff.shtml # On the Web - Oregon Small Woodlands Association, www.oswa.org ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry Agency Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Mar 16 13:04:39 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:04:39 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Mid-March Update from Doug Decker Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601E2DFC435@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> State Forester Doug Decker provided this message to Oregon Department of Forestry employees this week- ******************************************************************** During last week's Board of Forestry meeting I began what I hope will become a tradition, a brief report to the Board about what I've been hearing and working on during the preceding few weeks. You might think of it as a postcard from my travels through our organization and the broader landscape in which we work. I thought I'd share that postcard with you. My emphases during the past six weeks fall into two broad categories: discovery mode and outreach mode. Some themes from discovery mode: * As a department, we've moved through the leadership transition and are well into the next chapter. Our long-time traditions of pride, accomplishment and service remain strong and are worthy of note in this centennial year. The Governor's budget proposal, in particular with its restoration of some of our lost capacity in field foresters and technical specialists, is a welcome affirmation of the value of our work. * On the business side - and this was a theme across external interests as well - there's a strongly expressed need to focus on the Forest Practices Act, with an eye toward doing the most effective and credible job possible with available resources. * At the leadership level, we're focusing in some vital areas, including succession management; shaping our agency's role - and the state's role - on biomass; and increasing the strength and efficiency of our business practices. * I'm beginning to make some organizational changes, clarify roles, and think strategically about our long-term direction. In my last message, I shared some thoughts about our need to strengthen executive capacity by reinstating the Deputy State Forester position and filling the currently vacant Division Chief position in Private Forests. We're continuing to work toward those changes. Some themes from outreach mode - as you may recall, a central part of my assignment from the Board: * I've begun to inventory where the lines of communication are down, to explore new ways of staying in touch with our constituencies, and to broaden the circle of those constituencies. I've met with a large group of conservation interests, as well as one-on-one with specific conservation leaders. I've also met in several venues with landowner groups and individual leaders of the landowner community. * I have heard frustration in many of these conversations, including difficulties in understanding some of the choices we've made in the past, and concern about how best to be heard and understood by the agency and Board. * At the same time, virtually everyone I talk to appreciates being asked how they feel, and understands the complexity of our work. Perhaps most encouraging of all, I hear a broad and strong interest across the constituencies in seeing all of us be successful. * I've spent many days meeting with legislators at the Capitol. I continue to feel that relationships there are strong and that ODF is well regarded, due in large part to the quality of the work that you do. But legislators have very full plates, and there's an ongoing need to familiarize them with our agency and our work. * Building on the outreach theme, I've asked our Leadership Team to think about how they connect with and serve the communities where they live and operate. ODFers' involvement in the civic life of their communities can further nurture our tradition of close community ties. In the weeks ahead, I'll continue my work around discovery and outreach. In particular, at the executive level, we'll continue to respond to legislative needs, and to prepare for our budget presentation before the Ways and Means Natural Resources Subcommittee. That's now scheduled for late April. We'll also move ahead with the executive-level changes that I've mentioned, and with consideration of other changes that best position us for long-term success. I plan to participate in many of our spring fire protection association meetings, and to continue my relationship-building with our many interest groups. Along the way, I look forward to visiting with as many of you as I can. I'm proud of your work and committed to doing my part in carrying forward the tradition of accomplishment and service that you have created. Best wishes, ____________________________________________ Doug Decker, Oregon State Forester Director, Oregon Department of Forestry Office: 503-945-7211 Oregon Department of Forestry 2600 State Street, Salem OR 97301 http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Mon Mar 21 08:32:57 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Mon, 21 Mar 2011 08:32:57 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] OFRI - Melanie Kirk to speak at World Forestry Center April 7 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601E2DFC6A0@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> OREGON FOREST RESOURCES INSTITUTE News Release March 17, 2011 Contact: Dave Kvamme, OFRI (971) 673-2948 For Immediate Release Urban forest expert, Dr. Melanie Kirk, to speak at World Forestry Center, April 7 OSU Starker Lecture Series: Connecting People and Forests: A Global Perspective on Urban Forestry PORTLAND, Ore. - Urban forests are more than city parks, says a noted expert, Dr. Melanie Kirk, on trees and community forests. They can sustain humanity. In a rapidly urbanizing world, people everywhere are managing their city forests in a myriad of innovative ways that benefit residents and the forests themselves. In some African countries, for example, she says that communities own forests that generate revenue designated to go directly back to individual residents. Dr. Kirk will be a guest lecturer for the 2011 Starker Lecture Series, the Oregon State University College of Forestry's annual lecture series. The Starker Lectures have been sponsored since 1985 by the Starker Family in Honor of T.J. and Bruce Starker and is supported by the OSU College of Forestry and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute. The theme for this year's series is "Oregon's Place in World Forests and Forestry." That theme acknowledges the important role that Oregon's forests play in addressing global forestry issues, and increasingly, for how forestry is practiced in Oregon. The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2011 as International Year of Forests to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests. Dr. Kirk is Assistant Professor and Extension Urban Forestry Specialist with Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Dallas, Texas, an agency of the Texas A&M University system. The lecture is Thursday, April 7, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. in Miller Hall of the World Forestry Center near the Oregon Zoo in Portland. The lecture is free to the public. Dr. Kirk partners with various entities in planning, conducting and evaluating education and applied research programs centered around urban and community forests. She says, "We are taking this large world and shrinking it down a bit, connecting people and helping them move forward." In these days of budget cuts, her work includes creative use of all avenues of new media to share workshops, training and information about urban forests with communities around the globe. The lecture will be recorded and available for subsequent viewing on the Starker Lecture Series website. For more information on the lecture series or to access this and other recordings, visit: http://starkerlectures.forestry.oregonstate.edu/. -30- -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Mar 23 09:00:06 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 23 Mar 2011 09:00:06 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Committee for Family Forestlands meets March 31 in Salem Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601E2DFCA13@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE Committee for Family Forestlands meets March 31 in Salem March 23, 2011 Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 The Committee for Family Forestlands advises the Oregon Board of Forestry and the State Forester on ways to improve the vitality of Oregon's family forestlands, evaluate the impact of forest policy and regulatory changes on family forest owners, and expand opportunities for landowners to manage and market their timber, forest product and other economic resources. The next meeting of the Committee for Family Forestlands is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on Thursday March 31, 2011 at the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters in Salem, 2600 State Street - Operations Building D, Santiam meeting room. The agenda for the meeting is under development. Twelve positions, seven voting members and five seats in non-voting roles, currently form the Committee. Voting members include family forest owners, an environmental community representative, a representative of Oregon's forest products industry and a citizen-at-large representing the public. Representatives of the Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon State University, forestry-related industry associations and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute serve in a non-voting capacity. A thirteenth seat, a non-voting member representing the Oregon Small Woodlands Association, is being added to the Committee. Members of the public are invited to attend and participate in the meeting. The meeting location is accessible to persons with disabilities. Requests for an interpreter for the hearing impaired or other accommodations for persons with disabilities should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting. Questions about accessibility or special accommodations for the meeting can be directed to the Oregon Department of Forestry at 503-945-7502. Oregon's forests are among one of the state's most valued resources, providing a balanced mix of environmental, economic and social benefits. Additional information about the Oregon Department of Forestry is available on ODF's web site, www.oregon.gov/ODF. ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer ODF Agency Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Mar 24 06:54:47 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:54:47 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] OFRI and Portland Timbers partnership brings forestry to new fans Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601E2E644F8@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Private Forests News subscribers: Here is information about how O F R I gets a 'kick' out of a new partnership with the MLS Portland Timbers soccer franchise. Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry Agency Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 *************************************************************** OREGON FOREST RESOURCES INSTITUTE News Release Contact: Dave Kvamme - 971-673-2948 March 23, 2011 For immediate release . Portland Timbers sponsorship gives forestry messages a boot toward OFRI's goal PORTLAND, Ore. - This year, there's an extra kick to the Oregon Forest Resources Institute's annual educational advertising efforts. OFRI signed on as a limited sponsor of the Portland Timbers for the soccer club's 2011 season. Known for their enthusiastic fans, the Timbers make their Major League Soccer home-field debut on April 14. Season tickets for the inaugural MLS season have already sold out. The Timbers' name and icons - double-bit axes, two-hand cross-cut saws and a chain-saw-toting mascot - evoke the Northwest's forest products legacy. They also offer a unique opportunity for OFRI to educate the public on modern forestry practices. Fans will see OFRI-developed forestry messages on signs at JELD-WEN Field - the Timbers' remodeled and renamed Portland home pitch - in team literature and radio broadcasts, on the team's website and on the big "Timbervision" screen at the stadium. Educational advertising is a key component of OFRI's mission. In addition to its Timbers sponsorship, OFRI continues communicating to Oregonians through traditional advertising media. Thanks to higher revenues in 2010, OFRI will boost its ad campaign by 33 percent in 2011, extending its reach with more television and Internet ads, as well as its Oregon Public Broadcasting radio network sponsorship. Whether in the media, on the soccer pitch or on the OFRI website, the educational advertising focuses on reforestation and resource protection - top concerns identified in OFRI's most recent public opinion research. "The public wants to know there are effective laws requiring replanting after harvest, and protections for water resources and fish and wildlife habitat," says Paul Barnum, OFRI executive director. "Our educational advertising is one of the principal ways we reach the public at large to help them retain those messages." Already on the air, OFRI is using the popular TV spots created in 2009 showing generations of Oregon forestland owners and workers. One spot features a family forestland owner and her daughter touring the forest planted by the girl's grandfather. Another spot features third- and fourth-generation father-and-son loggers Bob and Kirk Luoto talking about how they care for the forest. The Oregon Forest Resources Institute was created by the Oregon Legislature in 1991 to improve public understanding of the state's forest resources and to encourage environmentally sound forest management through training and other educational programs for forest landowners. OFRI is funded by a dedicated harvest tax on forest products producers. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Mar 30 11:53:00 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 30 Mar 2011 11:53:00 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Spring brings volunteer opportunities in the Tillamook State Forest Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601E468E8D4@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> The Oregon Department of Forestry issued this news release today... Spring brings volunteer opportunities in the Tillamook State Forest March 30, 2011 News Media Contact: Kevin Weeks (503) 945-7427 -- (program specialists listed for each event will have detailed information about their specific volunteer event) The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has a variety of events planned in April and May to provide vital maintenance of public facilities in the 364,000-acre Tillamook State Forest. Members of the public who would like to contribute their time to help keep their largest State Forest accessible for recreation are welcome to help out at several projects scheduled for the next few weeks: Saturday April 9 Motorcycle & ATV Trail Project Day in the Tillamook District Volunteers will be installing concrete grid blocks on trail tread approaches leading to the two new 24-foot Off-Highway Vehicle trail bridges recently donated by the Oregon Motorcycle Riders Association (OMRA). OMRA obtained an Oregon State Parks ATV Grant to fund purchase of the materials, acquired Tillamook County permits and supervised the contractor responsible for construction of these two new trail bridges to ODF standards. OMRA volunteer labor provided the match for the grant. A volunteer recently donated a truck load of concrete grid blocks to harden the trail approaches to these two bridges; hardening those approaches will help prevent potential stream sedimentation caused by the bridge trail tread leading to the bridges and protect the bridge deck thresholds from wear. Volunteers with quads and the proper racks or tie-downs are welcome to assist with transporting grid blocks from the trail heads to the bridge sites. The necessary hand tools to perform that work will be provided by the ODF. ODF personnel will also assist with transportation of the grid blocks to the bridge sites as necessary and supervise proper installation. Worksites are within walking distance (a quarter-mile to one mile) from the trail head, and volunteers are welcome to use their motorcycles or quads to reach the work sites. Volunteers are asked to gather and park at the Smith Homestead Trailhead lot, just east of the Tillamook Forest Center on Oregon Highway 6, between 8:30 and 9:00 that morning to register for the project. Project Coordinator: Dave Hiatt - ODF Tillamook Off-Highway Vehicle specialist, 503-815-7024 -- dhiatt at odf.state.or.us for more details. Assistance provided by OMRA - http://www.omraoffroad.com/ Saturday April 16 SOLV (Stop Oregon Litter and Vandalism) Annual Forest Clean-up Day Help mark Earth Day by cleaning up litter and dump sites within the Tillamook State Forest. On Saturday, April 16th the Tillamook State Forest will participate in the annual SOLV IT! Earth Day Event by sponsoring a clean-up project. ODF staff and volunteers will work together to remove garbage and invasive plant species from various locations across the eastern portion of the Tillamook State Forest. In 2010, over fifty volunteers assisted ODF with the Earth Day Event by removing twelve tons of garbage in one day from the Tillamook State Forest, including 122 tires and one junked automobile. The Oregon Department of Forestry welcomes these volunteer efforts to keep NW Oregon's public forests open for recreation use. Pre-registration for this work party date is available through the SOLV website at http://www.solv.org/programs/forms/form_VolRegistration.asp?EventID=18673 -- Volunteers should come prepared for a long day, bringing a sack lunch and wear clothing appropriate for messy work such as long pants, long sleeves, closed-toe shoes and work gloves. Registration starts at 8:30 AM at the ODOT sand shed at milepost 33 on Oregon Highway 6. Project Coordinator: Stephanie Beall - ODF Forest Grove recreation coordinator, 503-359-7464 -- sbeall at odf.state.or.us for more details. Saturday May 14 4x4 Trail Project Day @ Browns Camp On Saturday, May 14th the Oregon Department of Forestry will partner with co-host Jolly Jeepers for a day of trail maintenance on a popular four-wheel drive trail in the Browns Camp Off-Highway Vehicle Area. Volunteers should bring hand tools such as shovels, loppers, pruners, hand saws, and rakes. Registration will start at 9:00 AM at the Rogers Camp Trailhead on Oregon Highway 6 at milepost 33. Project Coordinator: Jahmaal Rebb - ODF Forest Grove Off-Highway Vehicle specialist, 503-359-7463 -- jrebb at odf.state.or.us for more details. These three projects will be supervised by ODF staff, and ODF provides tools. Volunteers should bring their own work gloves, eye protection and wear leather boots that come up over the ankles. Personal rain gear is always a good idea for venturing into the Tillamook State Forest. In 2009, the Tillamook State Forest benefitted from almost 13,500 hours of time donated by Oregonians to help maintain and improve public access in their State Forest. There are many ways to get involved and volunteer in the Tillamook State Forest, including the Adopt-a-Trail program, Trail Patrol or Camp Host programs, SOLV Forest Clean-up Day and work parties maintaining both Off-Highway Vehicle trails and non-motorized trails in the forest. Additional information about volunteer opportunities in the Tillamook State Forest can be found at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/tillamookstateforest/volunteerhome.shtml ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry Agency Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Mar 31 14:29:18 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 14:29:18 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Request for Comment - Stewardship Agreements Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601E468EA91@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - REQUEST FOR COMMENT A public comment period opened March 31, 2011 for the proposed stewardship agreement(s) between the Oregon Department of Forestry and (1) Boyer Family Land Company and (2) Petersen Ranch LLC projects, both located in Lane County. The stewardship agreement has been prepared for landowner participation in the Programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement/Healthy Forests Reserve Program coordinated by U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Oregon Department of Forestry. Written comments regarding the draft agreement will be accepted by ODF until the close of business on April 21, 2011. E?mail comments are accepted at: paul.r.clements at state.or.us The text of the public notice has been provided in this message. This message is provided for your information, and please feel free to distribute it to other recipients you deem appropriate. Copies of the draft stewardship agreement are available for review upon request, or for download from the ODF web site at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/AGENCY_AFFAIRS/boyerpetersensha.shtml Please contact me if you have any questions. Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry Agency Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 ********************************************************* OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY REQUEST FOR COMMENTS PROPOSED STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT(s) FOR BOYER FAMILY LAND COMPANY PROPERTY AND PETERSEN RANCH LLC PROPERTY LANE COUNTY, OREGON Published in the Eugene Register-Guard PUBLISHING DATE: March 31, 2011 COMMENTS DUE: April 21, 2011 by 5:00 p.m. PROPOSAL: Pursuant to Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 527.423, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is proposing to adopt two Stewardship Agreements within Lane County for the Boyer Family Land Company forest property and the Petersen Ranch, LLC forest property. Each project is independent and not affiliated with the other proposed project. The Stewardship Agreement shall serve as Certificate of Inclusion in the Programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement for Northern Spotted Owl habitat. This Stewardship Agreement provides the opportunity for the landowner(s) to participate in the Programmatic Safe Harbor Agreement for Northern Spotted Owl habitat authorized by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Approval of the Agreement further allows the landowner(s) to participate in the NRCS Healthy Forests Reserve Program. ODF agrees to audit forest operations conducted by the landowner(s) for compliance with Oregon Forest Practices Act standards every three years. PROJECT NUMBER ONE: Boyer Family Land Company - Township 17S, Range 11W approx. 10 miles north of Florence, Oregon. This Stewardship Agreement is intended to permit Boyer Family Land Company to operate a 357-acre forest tract under habitat conservation goals identified in the landowner?s forest management plan. PROJECT NUMBER TWO: Petersen Ranch LLC - 39188 Upper Camp Creek Road, about 10 miles east of Springfield, Oregon. This Stewardship Agreement is intended to permit Petersen Ranch LLC to operate a 94-acre forest tract under habitat conservation goals identified in the landowner?s forest management plan. HOW TO COMMENT: The project file(s) may be reviewed by appointment at ODF?s Western Lane District office. To schedule an appointment to review the file(s), please contact: Oregon Department of Forestry, Western Lane District 87950 Territorial Highway Veneta, Oregon 97487 (541) 935-2283 Written comments should be received by April 21, 2011 and sent to Paul Clements, ODF Western Lane District at the address provided above. THE NEXT STEP: ODF will consider all public comments received within the public comment period before making a final decision regarding approval of the draft Stewardship Agreement. /s/ Peter Daugherty, Acting Chief of ODF Private Forests Division Salem, Oregon -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Mar 31 16:26:56 2011 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 31 Mar 2011 16:26:56 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Forestry Dept mtg in Prineville April 13 on fire budget Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B601E468EAD1@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Dept. of Forestry issued this news release today. Forestry Department to hold meeting on fire budget April 13, Prineville For immediate release Local media distribution March 31, 2011 Contact: Kevin Benton, 541-447-5658 The Oregon Department of Forestry's (ODF) Central Oregon District will host a public information meeting on its proposed fire protection budget at 6 p.m. on April 13 at the Crook County Library Conference Room in Prineville. The annual budget provides for personnel and equipment to protect 2.2 million acres of private and public forestlands from wildfire across 11 counties in north-central Oregon. At the meeting, ODF will present its proposed budget for the 2012 fiscal year which begins on July 1, 2011. The proposal includes an operating budget of $5.7 million for wildland fire protection services. Forest landowners who pay ODF's annual Forest Patrol Assessment with their property taxes will have an opportunity to review and comment on the level of fire protection and associated fire patrol assessment rates that forest landowners can expect to pay if the proposed fire protection budget is approved by Oregon's Board of Forestry. District staff will be on hand to answer questions regarding the proposed budget. Forest landowners who pay ODF for wildland fire protection services and other interested parties are encouraged to attend. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: