OFRI shines light on Oregon's state animal
As a graduate of the University of Oregon, it's a little funny to be writing about Oregon's state mammal - the American beaver. But give the rodent its due. Oregon's nickname is "The Beaver State," and in 1969 the Legislature named beaver the state animal.
Once prized for their fur, beaver populations were decimated during the 19th century. No longer economically important, beaver populations have grown in forested watersheds. As nature's "engineers," beavers modify their habitat to create safe havens for forage, recreation and breeding. Sometimes these habitat modifications can run afoul of a landowner's objectives, so a new publication in our "Wildlife in Managed Forests" series shines a light on beaver biology and habits.
OFRI's wildlife program includes publications, workshops and educational materials to help landowners manage their forestland with consideration for wildlife. Forest critters are our neighbors, so we need to learn to live with them. Even Beavers - or Ducks.
For the forest,
Paul Barnum
Executive Director
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Beavers are theme of new wildlife booklet
The newest publication in OFRI's "Wildlife in Managed Forests" series is all about beavers.
Wildlife in Managed Forests: The American Beaver
discusses beaver biology and offers recommendations for forest managers and landowners on managing forests where beavers live. The 28-page booklet also summarizes current research on the American beaver, its importance in landscapes, and the challenges and costs the animals sometimes pose for landowners.
"This publication highlights important management practices and scientific findings to help landowners balance promoting healthy populations of beavers with protection of forest stands," says Julie Woodward, OFRI senior manager of forestry education. "It will be mailed to organizations representing foresters and forest landowners, and other interested stakeholders such as conservation organizations, regulators and policymakers."
The American Beaver
joins a series other OFRI publications about forest wildlife prepared in partnership with the Oregon State University College of Forestry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Wildlife Research Center, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and others. Previous "Wildlife in Managed Forests" publications have focused on songbirds, fish and deer. The educational booklets inform forest landowners, wildlife managers and others about protecting wildlife living in Oregon's forests.
Print and electronic versions of The American Beaver are available to order or download for free through OFRI's website.
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Forestry lecture series debuts
A new lectures series launching next month at the
World Forestry Center
in Portland will feature talks by emerging forestry professionals working at the forefront of social, economic and environmental change.
The inaugural Hagenstein Lectures will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 9 in Miller Hall on the World Forestry Center campus,
4033 S.W. Canyon Rd., with doors opening at noon. The event will include presentations about sustainable forestry in the 21st century, and attendees will have the opportunity to network and exchange ideas about local and global forest issues. Craft beer, wine and food will be served.
The lecture series honors the legacy of late professional forester William D. Hagenstein, a champion of using forward-thinking forest management to provide tangible environmental, social and economic benefits. Sponsors for the Hagenstein Lectures include the World Forestry Center, Society of American Foresters and OFRI.
Five young foresters will speak at the Oct. 9 event. Scheduled to speak are Abe Wheeler, the Oregon & California timberlands lead forester for the Oregon and Washington office of the Bureau of Land Management; Eric Farm, coastal operations and marketing manager with the natural resources consulting firm Barnes & Associates Inc.; Sue Baker, a research fellow with the School of Plant Science at the University of Tasmania in Australia; Aaron Everett, Washington State Forester, and Mike Dockry, a research forester with the U.S. Forest Service Northern Research Station.
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Forest book geared to third- and fourth-graders
O
FRI's newest student publication aims to educate third- and fourth-graders about the many benefits of Oregon's forests.
The 24-page Explore the Forest booklet explains concepts such as photosynthesis, tree biology and forest food chains in age-appropriate language. It includes engaging graphics and activities to help students understand the basics of the forest ecosystem and ways people depend on forests. The book explores how people have long benefited from the natural resources forests provide, how Oregon's abundant forests have shaped the state's history, and the diverse range of careers available in the forest sector, among other topics.
Content for Explore the Forest and an accompanying 20-page teacher's guide was developed in collaboration with a curriculum writer and an advisory group of third- and fourth-grade teachers to ensure both publications support classroom instruction and enhance student learning. The teacher's guide provides educators with suggested discussion questions, classroom activities and further resources to deepen students' understanding of Oregon's forests.
"Because we depend on forests in so many ways, it's important for students to understand how forests work and how people are connected to them ecologically, economically and socially," says OFRI Director of K-12 Education Programs Norie Dimeo-Ediger. "I hope Explore the Forest and the companion teacher's guide will encourage Oregon educators to engage their students with the natural world - starting with the forests in their own backyard."
Print and electronic copies of Explore the Forest, including classroom sets, can be ordered or downloaded for free through OFRI's educator website, LearnForests.org.
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Oregon-made CLT certified fire-safe
Cross-laminated timber panels produced by the southern-Oregon-based company D.R. Johnson Wood Innovations have been certified fire-safe.
According to D.R. Johnson, the company's CLT panels are the first produced in North America to meet fire-safety manufacturing standards set by the American National Standards Institute and APA - The Engineered Wood Association. To gain the certification through ANSI/APA, the panels had to pass rigorous tests that gauged flame spread and fire-resistance.
D.R. Johnson's CLT panels performed well in two tests conducted last spring and summer: one that identified the rate of the spread of fire across the building material, and another that evaluated the duration for which a building material will contain a fire or retain its structural integrity during a predetermined fire exposure time.
"We're proud of our team and the quality of the CLT panels they're manufacturing," says D.R. Johnson President Valerie Johnson. "Our panels are manufactured to the highest possible standards and perform safely under tough conditions. These tests prove you don't have to sacrifice safety when you build with CLT."
D.R. Johnson, located in Riddle, was the first U.S. manufacturer to produce structurally certified CLT, now being used in commercial structures in Portland.
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The Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Forest Resources Institute in 1991 to advance public understanding of forests, forest management and forest products and to encourage sound forestry through landowner education. A 13-member board of directors governs OFRI. It is funded by a portion of the forest products harvest tax.
Copyright © 2016, Oregon Forest Resources Institute. All Rights Reserved.
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Tribal forestry conference planned
A
n upcoming conference for natural resource professionals will focus on forestry in the Pacific Northwest, from a tribal perspective.
The conference, "Partnership Opportunities with Indian Forestry: A Tribal Perspective," will take place Oct. 5-7 at the Northern Quest Casino near Spokane, Wash. and feature presentations, an evening networking event and exhibitors.
Additional information about the conference, a full agenda and registration are available online. The cost for the conference is $250 for those who register before Sept. 26.
Conference sponsors include the Intertribal Timber Council, Society of American Foresters and OFRI.
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Herbicides video series offered
A four-part video series in which senior foresters and other experts share professional advice for applying herbicides to forestland is now available to view online.
Each two-hour video is a recording from a series of webinars OFRI helped organize last June in collaboration with the Western Forestry and Conservation Association. The videos feature presentations, field footage and panel discussions.
Unlimited access to the videos is available through a one-time registration fee of $100 per viewer. For more information about the web learning series and registration, visit the WFCA website.
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Nominations sought for Wood Design Awards
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WoodWorks
, an educational initiative of the Wood Products Council, is seeking nominations of non-residential and multi-family wood projects for its 2017 Wood Design Awards.
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Get Outside:
Little North Santiam Trail
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