Global Connections. Regional Roots. Spring 2019
To Create and Inspire Champions of Sustainable Forestry
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From Joseph Furia, Executive Director
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It has been a busy couple months here at the World Forestry Center with our programming in full swing. As the temperatures hit the upper 90’s for the first time this year, wildfire is front of mind and not just because May is Wildfire Awareness Month. Looking to the past, our museum honors the 75 years since the creation of Smokey Bear with an exhibit on its memorabilia (admission is free on Community Free Day on Saturday, June 22nd). Looking to the future, I am chairing the mitigation committee for the Oregon Governor’s Council on Wildfire Response. The Governor has charged the Council with examining the state’s current models for wildfire prevention, preparedness and response, and, if it finds those models are not sustainable, with developing recommendations to strengthen, improve, or replace existing systems. Three committees support the Council, including the suppression committee, the mitigation committee, and the adaptation and recovery committee. The mitigation committee is developing recommendations on priority fire prone areas for restoration. The World Forestry Center is hosting meetings of both the Council and the mitigation committee.
Our 2019 international fellows are deep into their research projects and have been crisscrossing Oregon and California, including: visiting with forestland managers from 160 acres to 1.9 million acres, touring state-of-the-art lumber mills, exploring one of the nation’s largest urban parks, reviewing conservation areas managed under a land trust, and joining sixth-grade students at Outdoor School to see how the US teaches the next generation about natural resources. They also explored the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area as an illustration of forest disturbance, fire ecology and forest rehabilitation post-fire. In June they head to eastern Oregon to learn about the challenges of managing small forestlands for multiple use, as well as Native American approaches to forest management. And they are not yet half way through their time here.
And, finally, it is peak season for the more than 200 events that we host each year. The Washington Park campus is looking great, especially since we completed construction of the Miller Hall Grandchildren’s Garden. We encourage you to stop by this summer.
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Forestry Leadership Hall Spotlight
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In 1971, the World Forestry Center began a tradition of honoring those pioneers who have contributed significantly to the advancement of forestry. This month we are honored to spotlight Theodore Walker Gilbert.
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Ted Gilbert belonged in the forest. It was there he began what became a long, productive, and celebrated career with Weyerhaeuser Company.
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Above: Ted Gilbert photographed at his surprise dedication ceremony of the Gilbert Lookout. The lookout was located on the Ted Gilbert Ridge of Weyerhaeuser's St. Helens tree farm.
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Gilbert’s forty-year tenure with Weyerhaeuser began in 1923 when he joined the firm as a compassman at the Centralia office. During 1925 and 1926, Gilbert was with the original cruising group in the Longview area where he built trails, cruised timber, and established benchmarks in Weyerhaeuser’s St. Helens tree farm region.
In 1930 Gilbert was named regional supervisor for Weyerhaeuser lands in western Oregon and parts of southwest Washington. He assumed responsibilities as chief cruiser in 1941 and was made timber engineer in 1947. In 1954 Gilbert moved to Tacoma where he became land supervisor while continuing to serve as timber engineer.
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On August 14, 1963, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources dedicated a newly rebuilt fire lookout in the St. Helens area and name it the “Ted W. Gilbert Lookout.” Dedicating the tower to Gilbert, only two weeks before his retirement, was in honor of his many years of service to the region’s timberlands.
The tower was dismantled in 1977, just three years before the eruption of Mount St. Helens. The lookout was located about ten miles from the mountain.
Gilbert was inducted into the Forestry Leadership Hall in 1980. His long years of tireless service to forestry – and the honors bestowed upon him not only by Weyerhaeuser but by others – will help preserve the memory of a man whose work in the woods filled a long and productive life.
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Above: The Ted Gilbert Lookout under construction. The image was originally published in the Weyerhaeuser Magazine, October 1963
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Special thanks to The Centralia Daily Chronicle for the photographs of the lookout.
Published July 29, 1978
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We invite you to visit the Forestry Leadership Hall located on the second floor of the Discovery Museum. The biographies of all Inductees are posted on our website. To read the biographies and for more information
click here
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World Forest Institute News and Updates
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International Fellows Visit
Little Beaver Creek Tree Farm
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In April, the Fellows visited the Little Beaver Creek Tree Farm in Forest Grove, Oregon, owned and operated by Anne and Richard Hanschu. During the tour, the Hanschus walked the Fellows through their property and operations, showing them what it is like to operate a family-run tree farm.
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Pictured above/left: Anne and Richard Hanschu
Pictured below: Fellows exploring the tree farm
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In 1956, Anne’s parents, Byron and Marguerite Doneen, purchased the first 160-
acre parcel of land, now called Little Beaver Creek Tree Farm. In 1991, Anne and Richard took over management of the property. Not having any formal training in forestry, the Hanschus completed Oregon State University's (OSU) Master Woodland Manager extension program, which the couple credits with
providing practical information, innovative ideas, and on-the ground applications to forestry concepts.
The Hanschus now own roughly 500 acres divided across three properties that are actively managed for “economically-minded sustainable production.” On this study tour, the Fellow’s heard perspectives about the benefits of long-term harvest planning and diversification, as well as the importance of a peer-to-peer approach in successful forest management. They also learned about state and federal forest laws and the incentives of low tax rates on forestland for tree farm investment.
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Thank you to Anne and Richard Hanschu for their willingness to share their knowledge, passion, and time with the Fellows.
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International Fellows Visit Forest Park
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This spring the Fellows visited Portland’s Forest Park, a 5,100-acre expanse of urban forest on the outskirts of the city. Forest Park is one of the largest urban forests in the US, so what better place to look at the issues presented in managing urban trees? The site is currently predominantly second-growth Douglas-fir and bigleaf maple, as timber production ceased in 1948 following the park’s creation.
The Fellows were met by Marshall Johnson from Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R), who led them on a hike to explain the management of the site and show areas where habitat conservation work is occurring. Marshall explained that the site is chiefly managed for ecology, aiming to restore it to a more natural condition. This is being achieved through the 20-year Renew Forest Park initiative, which aims to restore habitat, rebuild infrastructure, and reconnect local stakeholders through improved access.
Chief concern is the effort to control the spread of invasive, shade-tolerant species, such as English ivy (Hedera helix) and holly (Ilex aquifolium). These are garden escapees and outcompete the natural vegetation, resulting in lower levels of biodiversity within the urban forest. Herbicide application has been chosen as the most practical form of management, and large areas of treated vegetation were visible within the forest. PP&R has worked to inform and educate park users by providing interpretation boards and distributing leaflets to local residents.
A key aim in the park’s management is not to exceed carrying capacity of the site. Portland’s population is continuing to grow, meaning park use is predicted to increase. PP&R is exploring options to increase revenue generation and increase education to prevent damage occurring to the forest ecology.
Thank you to our International Fellow from the UK, Will Maiden, for your insights into the Forest Park study tour.
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Pictured left: Marshall explaining the management of the site to the Fellows
Pictured right: Much of the habitat restoration is carried out by volunteers
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Calendar of Events and Conferences
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Join us for back-to-back events on
Timberland Investing & Forest Products Markets
Who Will Own the Forest? I September 17-19, 2019
Forest Products Forum I September 17, 2019
World Forestry Center
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Timber Culture: The History of Maxville, Oregon –
A City United and Divided
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On display through June 30, 2019
This exhibit provides a comprehensive look at Oregon’s multicultural logging industry. Through a series of historical photographs from the Maxville logging operation, the exhibit depicts the lives of loggers and their families drawn together from different cultures during the Great Migration.
This exhibit is on loan from the Maxville Heritage Interpretative Center.
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Smokey Bear is celebrating 75 Years
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To honor Smokey Bear and to recognize May as Wildfire Awareness Month, the Discovery Museum presents a historic collection of Smokey memorabilia.
The collection will be on display throughout the month of June.
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Thank you
to Jack and Nancy Winchell and
to our partners at Keep Oregon Green for helping to making this collection available for us to display.
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Our own Forest Store has Smokey mugs, pins, plush, and patches for sale to celebrate this special occasion. Do not forget, Discovery Museum members receive a 10% discount in the Forest Store!
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Community Free Day
Saturday, June 22, 2019
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Columbia Bank Presents Community Free Days at the Discovery Museum
Saturday, June 22, 2019
Admission is free from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Did you know?
In 2019 Columbia Bank customers can purchase a discounted Family Membership at the Discovery Museum. To purchase your membership visit the museum or call (503)488-2106 and tell the admission staff you are a Columbia Bank customer.
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For more information about the World Forestry Center, please contact
Merrit Thompson, Development and Community Relations Manager
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