From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Fri Mar 2 10:02:17 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2012 10:02:17 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] State Forests Advisory Committee meets March 16 in Forest Grove Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60208C96EF3@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE State Forests Advisory Committee meets March 16 in Forest Grove For immediate release: March 2, 2012 Contact: Kevin Weeks 503-945-7427 An advisory group to the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will review a range of topics on management of state-owned forests in Northwest Oregon at a March 16 meeting in Forest Grove. The proposed agenda for the State Forests Advisory Committee includes presentations about the development of long-term management implementation plans for forests in ODF's Tillamook, West Oregon and North Cascade Districts. These lands are primarily in the Tillamook and Santiam state forests, and also include various scattered parcels. The committee is also expected to receive reports on a work group studying the long-term financial stability of ODF's State Forests Division, on Oregon Board of Forestry work plans for state-owned forests, and on the development of on-the-ground annual operating plans for ODF districts that manage state forestlands. The operating plans cover the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2012. Members of the public are invited to attend and participate in the meeting. A public comment period is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. The meeting will be in the Conference Room of Burlingham Hall on the Pacific University campus, located on University Avenue (between 22nd and 23rd Avenues) at the intersection with Sunset Drive. Parking is available on-street, or- by permit-across University Avenue from the hall. Additional information regarding parking at the Forest Grove campus is available at: http://pacificu.reachlocal.net/cps/parking/index.cfm 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 ODF at 503-945-7427. ODF's State Forests Advisory Committee consists of representatives from the general public and from timber, environmental and recreational groups. The committee provides a forum to discuss issues, opportunities and concerns, and to offer advice and guidance to ODF on the implementation of the Northwest Oregon State Forests Management Plan. 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. It calls for active management of the forestlands for a balanced mix of economic, environmental and social benefits. ODF manages about 821,000 acres of forestland, in six large state forests and numerous small forest tracts in 15 counties. On most of the lands, two-thirds of the revenue generated from timber sales goes to the counties that deeded these lands to the state, being divided between the county's local taxing districts, the county school fund and the county government general fund. ODF retains the remaining third to manage the forestlands and protect them from fire. The remaining acreage, primarily in the Elliott State Forest near Reedsport, was granted to Oregon at statehood, and by constitutional mandate is managed to maximize revenue to the state's Common School Fund, consistent with sound stewardship. ODF manages these lands under contract with the State Land Board. ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry Public Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Wed Mar 7 14:44:54 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Wed, 7 Mar 2012 14:44:54 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Board of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service leader explore collaborative opportunities for forest restoration Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B605680FAA3C@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY - News Release Board of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service leader explore collaborative opportunities for forest restoration FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 7, 2012 Contact: Dan Postrel (503) 945-7420 12-10 Cell: (503) 881-3453 Building on recent funding that stepped up restoration work on national forests in Eastern Oregon, the U.S. Forest Service welcomes opportunities to join with the state in improving forest resiliency, the agency's top Northwest official told the Oregon Board of Forestry on Wednesday. "National forests are an important part of the landscape in Oregon, and are vital to environmental, economic and community health," Kent Connaughton, the Forest Service's Pacific Northwest regional forester, said. "I look forward to doing all we can, with the Board of Forestry and other partners, in charting the future role of these forests within that broader landscape." Connaughton briefed the board on the recently funded projects, totaling more than $6 million. The funds were awarded in a national competitive process that required collaboration among multiple landowners, communities and interests. The participants in the funded projects made a compelling case, he said. "The thrust of the work will be to accelerate restoration treatments that reduce fuels and increase protection to communities from wildfire," Connaughton said. "The work will continue for 10 years, providing jobs and environmental benefits." Sixty percent of Oregon's 30.4 million forested acres are federally managed, primarily by the Forest Service. Recognizing the importance of federal lands in Oregon's broader forest landscape, the board has proposed a set of actions-at the local, state, and federal levels-to restore the health of these forests and to reinvigorate rural economies. "The Board of Forestry strives for a healthy, sustainably managed forest resource across all ownerships," board Chair John Blackwell said. "As part of that commitment, we'll contribute however we can to the vitality of the federal forests." Governor John Kitzhaber has also identified federal forest issues as priorities, and is working with interest groups, Oregon's congressional delegation, and state and federal agencies on solutions. A long-standing policy of suppressing fire, a natural part of many forest ecosystems, combined with reduced harvests in recent years, has left many acres of federal forestland overcrowded, weak, and susceptible to insect and disease attack and to large, catastrophic wildfires. Increasingly, conservation groups, the timber industry and other interests are finding common ground, working with the Forest Service locally on projects that involve thinning, timber harvest, and other work that provides environmental benefits, as well as much-needed rural economic activity. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Forest Service's parent agency, announced $6 million in grants for such projects in Oregon's Malheur and Fremont-Winema national forests. The collaborative projects are expected to create as many as 350 new jobs. The agency also renewed funding for restoration on the Skyline project in the Deschutes National Forest, allocating $800,000. ### -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Mar 8 07:06:58 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 8 Mar 2012 07:06:58 -0800 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Enjoy the Tillamook Forest Center this weekend Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B605680FAAA5@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> The Tillamook Forest Center on Oregon Highway 6 has re-opened following its winter closure. The Tillamook Forest Center is open Wednesdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Over the next few months, there are lots of special events scheduled for all ages, and admission to the Tillamook Forest Center is always free. Activities include the Center's annual Arbor Week Celebration on April 7, 2012 and tree planting activities, a special program on Logging Railroads of the Pacific Slope in April, and learning more about what you can do to help your home survive a wildfire during Wildfire Awareness Week in May (where Smokey Bear always stops by to help!). In addition to these special events, enjoy the variety of nature and history programs that are usually offered on Saturdays and Sundays. Visit the Tillamook Forest Center today and "Find yourself in the forest." http://www.tillamookforestcenter.org/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Mar 20 13:48:20 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 20 Mar 2012 13:48:20 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Eastern Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee meets April 4 in La Grande In-Reply-To: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B327489B8@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> References: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B327489B8@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B327489BF@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE Eastern Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee meets April 4 in La Grande March 20, 2012 Contact: Kevin Weeks, ODF Public Affairs, (503) 945-7427 The Eastern Oregon Regional Forest Practices Committee has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday April 4 at the La Grande Public Library, 2006 Fourth Street in La Grande. The meeting is tentatively scheduled to run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a public comment period scheduled near the start of the meeting. Regional Forest Practices Committees are panels of citizens - mandated under Oregon law - that advise the Oregon Board of Forestry on current forestry issues and forest management approaches. Three Regional Forest Practices Committees, serving the Northwest, Southwest and Eastern regions of the state, were created within the Oregon Forest Practices Act in 1971. Under Oregon law, the committees are comprised of citizens qualified by education or experience in natural resource management. A majority of Regional Forest Practices Committees members are private forest landowners, their representatives or persons regularly engaged in forest operations. The proposed agenda for the meeting is scheduled to include an update on the restoration work within the Private Forests program including hiring of stewardship forester and technical specialist positions, an update on implementation of an audit to measure Forest Practices Act compliance and discussion about the reintroduction of ODF's Forest Practices Operator of the Year awards. Members of the public may attend 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 ODF's Regional Forest Practices Committees is available on the Oregon Department of Forestry's web site: www.oregon.gov/ODF/BOARD/RFPC/rfpc.shtml ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry Public Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Mar 22 09:26:29 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2012 09:26:29 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Guide to help private forestland owners with stream improvements available Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B32748C35@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE Guide to help private forestland owners with stream improvements available March 22, 2012 Contact: Kevin Weeks, ODF Public Affairs (503) 945-7427 An updated 24-page guide to help private forestland owners to improve fish habitat in their streams was recently released by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). The 2012 edition of the "Private Forest Landowners and the Oregon Plan" guide is available in electronic form on the ODF web site: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/privateforests/docs/Oregon_Plan_PFguide.pdf The publication lists several voluntary measures that forest landowners can take, beyond the basic requirements in the Oregon Forest Practices Act, to accelerate improvements in stream health and promote conditions that can help potentially threatened and endangered fish species thrive. Four categories of recommendations are offered: improvements within a stream, improvements on stream banks, upland improvements to ensure healthy watersheds, and improving forest road or stream crossings. During the first decade of the Oregon Plan, Oregon's private forest landowners have made $ 84 million in voluntary improvements to build better habitats for threatened and endangered fish species. Additional information about the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds is available at: http://www.oregon.gov/OPSW/index.shtml ### Kevin Weeks Public Information Officer Oregon Department of Forestry Public Affairs Office (503) 945-7427 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Thu Mar 22 12:22:24 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:22:24 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Winter storms: proceed with caution, many storm-damaged trees are worth saving Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B32748CB8@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Department of Forestry issued this news release today. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 22, 2012 Contact: Cynthia Orlando 503.945.7421 Paul Ries 503.945.7391 Winter storms: proceed with caution, as many storm-damaged trees are worth saving The recent storm events taking place in the interior western valley counties between Marion and Lane County included rain, snow and ice, and took a heavy toll on many trees in Oregon landscapes. Nonetheless, arborists usually advise homeowners and community leaders to exercise caution when dealing with a storm?s aftermath. That?s because there are two very common mistakes people make when trying to clean up after a storm. The first is trying to save trees that have sustained too much damage, and are likely to become hazardous; the second is using harmful pruning techniques on a tree that perhaps only needs a light pruning. "People naturally become anxious to have their trees examined so they can prune or take other actions,? observes Paul Ries, an urban forester with the Oregon Department of Forestry. ?However, it?s often the case that more trees become damaged as a result of improper post-storm activities, than were damaged directly by a storm.? Incorrectly pruning a tree can weaken it, setting it up to become hazardous. Topping ? the practice of removing large branches and tops of trees ? creates trees that are likely to be hazardous in the future. That's because a topped tree is much more likely to break or uproot in a storm than a tree with normal branch structure. The opposite problem ? trying to prune trees that have already lost too much of their crowns ? is another common post-storm mistake. Mother nature - a random act...or a hidden cause? Remember the old saying, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? While some tree failures are unpredictable, many can be predicted and prevented. Cut roots, cavities and decay pockets, recent construction, and trees that have been topped in the past are just a few of the signs that can point toward an unhealthy or hazardous tree - good candidates for breakage or failure when heavy snows hit. What to do after the storm Doing the right things after trees have been damaged can make the difference between giving trees a good chance of survival, or losing them unnecessarily. Properly selecting a qualified arborist is key. "Homeowners should use caution when selecting a tree service company,? said Ries, who manages the state's urban and community forestry program. Ries recommends using an arborist whose name and company are familiar to your community - even if that means waiting longer for service. Says Ries, ?be careful not to overreact or you may end up removing valuable shade trees that are still sound, and take years to replace." Here are some tips to help you locate a tree service company with experience assessing storm-damaged trees: * Hire a company that is bonded and insured. Although Oregon requires tree service companies to register with the Construction Contractors Board, they are not required to adhere to proper pruning standards or even demonstrate pruning knowledge in order to obtain a license. * Beware of people or companies that show up at your door; their low prices may ultimately cost you more money in the long run. * Most reputable companies have business cards, truck signs, and even uniforms that represent a professional level of service. Ask for references, and take your time to select a reputable company. * Remember, the fact that someone has a business license doesn't guarantee they have the tree knowledge necessary to do the job right. * Hire a certified arborist. If you're in doubt about credentials, the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (PNW-ISA) maintains a list of certified arborists for hire on their website: http://pnwisa.org/hire-an-arborist.html ?Arborists are often in great demand for several weeks following a storm,? adds Ries, ?so if your tree isn?t an immediate and visible hazard, it may be worth waiting a while.? For more information about trees and tree care: Can these trees be saved? www.oregon.gov/ODF/URBAN_FORESTS/docs/Other_Publications/CanTheseTreesBeSaved.pdf Tree first aid after a storm www.oregon.gov/ODF/URBAN_FORESTS/docs/Other_Publications/TreeFirstAid.pdf Hazard tree prevention webpage www.pnwisa.org/preventing-your-trees-from-becoming-hazardous.html # # # The mission of Oregon?s Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program is to help Oregonians improve their quality of life by promoting community investment in our urban forests. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From kevin.weeks at state.or.us Tue Mar 27 15:40:38 2012 From: kevin.weeks at state.or.us (WEEKS Kevin) Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:40:38 -0700 Subject: [ODF_Private_Forests] Oregon's Arbor Week begins Monday, April 2 Message-ID: <2659B04496B9C544A0CB26155C1FD1B60B327491A5@WPODFEXCL01.ODF.STATE.OR.US> Oregon Dept. of Forestry - NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Major Media Distribution March 27, 2012 Contact: Paul D. Ries 503.945.7391 Cynthia Orlando 503-945-7421 Oregon's Arbor Week begins Monday, April 2 Beginning next week, during Oregon's Arbor Week, 54 Oregon cities will be recognized as Tree City USA (TCUSA) communities. "Tree City USA" is a program of the National Arbor Day Foundation sponsored by the Oregon Department of Forestry. It recognizes cities that develop programs to plant and care for trees. "Trees are important to the quality of life here in Oregon, where we have some of the most productive forestland in the world and some of the most livable cities around," says Paul Ries, who manages the Oregon Department of Forestry's Urban and Community Forestry Program. Trees and forests enhance quality of life by providing wood products, fish and wildlife habitat, shade, economic benefits, clean, healthy streams, and by raising property values, adds Ries. Congratulations to these cities A grand total of fifty-four Oregon "Tree Cities" earned recertification this year. They are: Albany Creswell Klamath Falls Redmond Ashland Dallas La Grande Rogue River Baker City Eagle Point Lake Oswego Salem Bandon Eugene Lebanon Sandy Banks Forest Grove Lincoln City Seaside Beaverton Echo Madras Sherwood Bend Gervais McMinnville Sisters Toledo Brownsville Grants Pass Medford Sunriver Troutdale Coburg Gresham Metolius Sweet Home Tualatin Coos Bay Happy Valley Monmouth Talent Veneta Corvallis Hood River Philomath Tigard West Linn Cottage Grove Irrigon Portland Tillamook Wilsonville Arbor Week events abound around the state The many cities currently planning Arbor Week events with ceremonies or tree plantings include: The City of Metolius is sponsoring a poster contest for 4th and 5th graders, and winners will be recognized and prizes awarded at a tree planting ceremony April 6th at the City park. In NE Oregon, the City of La Grande is sponsoring a "Trees are Terrific" poster contest for 4th & 5th graders. Posters will be on display at City Hall and the public library through April, and winners announced at an April 25 tree planting event. The city is also planting street trees on Saturday, April 28th. New this year: tree tags in the center of town, displaying the monetary value of the environmental contributions of each tree. ODF's Tillamook Forest Center, located 50 miles west of Portland and 22 miles east of Tillamook on Oregon Highway 6, is inviting the public to help with a tree planting in the forest on April 7th. For more info: http://www.tillamookforestcenter.com/events_05.html The City of Wilsonville's tree planting at 10:30 April 7th is especially significant for the community; they'll be planting 5 Oregon White Oak trees at a prominent corner of Murase Plaza - a focal point of the park system and the community. Eugene is hosting a tree planting event Saturday, April 7, from 10 - 1:00 at Jefferson Park just west of 16th & Jefferson, along Fern Ridge bike path. A wide turnout is expected including Friends of Trees and Mayor Piercy, and a barbeque lunch for volunteers follows. The City of Irrigon is celebrating with a tree planting April 20th, and giving away bur oak trees to the first 100 families at the completion of the ceremony. Hood River is combining Arbor Day with a weeding event at Hood River Waterfront Park April 22nd. The City of Portland is hosting numerous Arbor Week-related events, including a magnolia tour at Hoyt Arboretum at noon on April 2nd, a talk on drought-tolerant trees at noon, Wednesday April 4th, and a Friends of Trees sponsored tree planting along the bike boulevard from NE Hassalo to SE Bush on Saturday, April 7. For specific Portland event dates/times: http://www.portlandonline.com/parks/index.cfm?c=38294&a=386443 Just because you don't see your city listed here doesn't mean an event isn't planned, so check with local city government officials for details pertaining to your community. Tips for tree planting at home For homeowners, now is an excellent opportunity to take stock of trees and plan for the future. If your trees experienced recent storm damage, find a certified arborist to help you assess them. You also might like to consider planting a new tree to improve the look of your property, provide wildlife habitat, a visual screen, and wind or heat protection. For long-term success, remember these tree planting tips. First, consider the site and room you have available before selecting your tree. For small spaces, consider dogwoods, Japanese maple, or perhaps a Hawthorn. For larger areas that include plenty of overhead room, you can choose from maples, birches, ash, tulip trees, or sycamores. Trees are often planted too deeply, so when planting a tree, never dig the hole deeper than necessary and plant the tree with the root collar at ground level or slightly (2 inches) higher to allow for settling. Remove all containers, wire, plastic and string from the trunk and roots before planting. Mulch Mulch your tree, as it helps prevent soil temperature and moisture fluctuations during summer months, softens rain penetration during winter, and discourages weeds. Add a depth of 4 to 6 inches of mulch around the base of the tree, leaving 3-4 inches around the base mulch-free. Fertilizing at the time of planting is not necessary, but the tree should be deeply watered after planting. More information: More information about trees can be found online, at www.treesaregood.com To learn more about Arbor Week, visit http://www.arborday.org//oregon/ # # # -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: