Global Connections. Regional Roots. To Create and Inspire Champions of Sustainable Forestry

From the Interim Executive Director

I was once asked, “What’s a nice Asian gal like you doing in forestry?” In fact, I am the daughter of a plywood mill manager. For 20 years my father ran a small mill, first in Singapore and then in Malaysia. My father never wanted his children to be a part of his business. After seven banks turned him down for a loan, he sat my twin sister and me down at the ripe age of 10 and said: “Promise me that you will never run your own business.” Taking on the interim directorship of the World Forestry Center is as close as I have ever been to breaking that pinky promise.   Continue reading here.

Sara Wu Interim Executive Director

Forestry Leadership Hall Spotlight

Warren C. Jimerson 1931-1989 Born the son of a lumberman in a small Southern Oregon sawmill town, Warren C. Jimerson grew up closely associated with the lumber business.  Lumber was as much a part of his past as it would be his future.  He spent his childhood around trees, planted them as an adult, and made his livelihood from their products.  Warren grew tall and strong in the timber business, and his roots were deep in the belief of wise forest management Click here to read full biography.

World Forest Institute News and Updates

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the World Forest Institute International Fellows Community Reception on May 4. We had a great turnout with over 40 people gathering in our museum to meet the 2017 cohort. We sincerely thank our sponsors of the WFI International Fellowship Program, the Harry A. Merlo Foundation, and Chevron, as well as our in-kind sponsors Columbia Sportswear and KEEN. Fellows come to the program through the Department of State’s Visa Exchange Visitor Program.

Thank you to our community partners that have been busy hosting the WFI International Fellows this spring.

WFI Fellows visit Little Beaver Creek Tree Farm hosted by  Anne and Richard Hanschu.

WFI Fellows visit Hampton Lumber hosted by David Hampton, Owner and Board Member of Hampton Lumber.

WFI Fellows visit Vanport International and Manufacturing, Inc. hosted by G. Adolf Hertrich, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vanport International and Manufacturing, Inc.

WFI Fellows visit the state capitol as part of the Oregon Society of American Foresters Day at the Capitol event.

WFI Fellow Attends Leadership Summit World Forest Institute Guatemalan Fellow Oscar Hernández participated in the Sustainable Development Champions award ceremony at the Rainforest Alliance’s Leadership Summit on May 10 in New York City. The event was in recognition of the Government of Guatemala’s commitment to the conservation of the Maya Biosphere Reserve and the sustainable development of its communities.

Oscar  Hernández (second from the left)  Photo by Silk Studio

Conferences and Partnerships

Sponsored by Vanport International and Manufacturing, Inc.

Join us for a half-day event exploring forest issues from around the world. Featuring the 2017 World Forest Institute International Fellows with special guest emcee, Rainer Hummel and keynote speaker Dr. John Bliss. You will leave inspired by these stories of sustainable global solutions. The World Forest Institute International Fellowship Program is sponsored by the Harry A. Merlo Foundation. View our flyer and visit our event page for details and to register.

The World Forestry Center is proud to be part of Walk in the Woods, a new program sharing stories from North America’s forests and the social, economic, and environmental values they create. Read the press release from the North American Forest Partnership. Visit their newly launched website and take a walk in the woods yourself!

Discovery Museum Annual  Membership

We're excited to announce that memberships are now available for purchase at the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum! An annual fee of $60 gets a member and four guests free admission to our museum for one year as well as 10% off purchases in our forest store. You can also participate in the Portland Attractions Reciprocal Program and receive free admission for four to the following attractions:  June: Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals October: Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum November: Washington County Museum December: Deepwood Museum & Gardens  Memberships can be purchased at the museum, on our website, or call our visitor services department at 503-488-2106 to order over the phone.

The World Forestry Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are proud to recognize our individual supporters and community partners .

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For more information about the World Forestry Center, please contact Amber Morrison, Development Manager, at 503-488-2122 or amorrison@worldforestry.org.  worldforestry.org