Summer 2020 | Volume 14, Number 2
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Inspiring people to connect with the Tillamook State Forest.
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Director
Jennifer Magby
Interpretation & Education Coordinator
Denise Berkshire
Lead Educator
Luke Wahl
Visitor Services Coordinator
Jen Warren
Visitor Services Assistants
Megan Fair
Bailey Monteblanco
Facilities Maintenance Coordinator
Christian Hargrove
Facilities Assistants
Teresa Anderson
Seasonal Educators
Joslyn Krahel
Matt Luciani
Executive Director, Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust
Shawn Morford
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Summer hours:
Currently closed in order to protect the health and safety of staff, visitors, and the community
We look forward to being open again soon!
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Follow us on Facebook and catch our YouTube channel.
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Find yourself in the forest, safely
Our worlds have changed dramatically over the last few months. The Tillamook Forest Center closed to the public on March 18. TFC staff are missing our volunteers and visitors and can’t wait to see you again.
During the closure, we are working hard to provide new programs and online offerings, maintaining the facility, and preparing for our next chapter. This summer you will be able to visit us at the Smith Homestead Information Station. TFC staff will be available to assist forest visitors as they navigate their outdoor experiences. The date is yet to come as we work through challenges in securing PPE and supplies needed to keep both our staff and visitors safe.
The recreation staff has also been working hard to prepare for the summer. They know that visitors are ready to return to the outdoor recreation activities they love. Together, we are asking visitors to #RecreateResponsibly – practice physical distancing and good hygiene, protect yourself and others by wearing a mask, be responsible and pack it out. These steps will keep people and the forest safe and healthy. We hope you find yourself in the forest safely this summer.
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News from the Trust
Shawn Morford, Executive Director
I have always been told that Oregonians donate vigorously to causes they believe in and to what makes this place an extraordinary place to live, work, and play. It’s true: many contributed in a big way to forest-based recreation and education last year through the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust totaling $161,219 in donations and $70,000 in grants for the Tillamook Forest Center and state forests recreation infrastructure, including the Salmonberry Trail Project. Your donations have led to improvements at the Forest Education Pavilion at the Tillamook Forest Center and on the Wilson River Trail on the Tillamook State Forest, planning for the Salmonberry Trail project, and more. We cannot thank you enough.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, recreational use on the Tillamook, Clatsop, Santiam, and other state forest lands is at an all-time high. Your engagement with the Trust has never been more needed - and impactful. Donations to
www.tillamooktrust.org
will help protect the resource and enhance facilities for forest users. We thank you.
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Hello, goodbye, we miss you!
The 2020 season was initially filled with the promise of another stellar year at the center. We kicked off the season welcoming two new staff, and a new set of site hosts to our incredible community of talented team members. We opened the doors on March 4
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only to close them on March 18
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, beginning the odd journey that a pandemic brings. Even though we only spent ten days working together at the center, strong new bonds were made and existing ones strengthened. While the center is not open, we are working diligently to bring a virtual center experience to your devices. We also want to introduce those who are waiting in the wings until we can reunite – once again.
Matt Luciani – Interpretation Specialist
Matt comes to Oregon having spent his youth exploring the forests and hills of New England. In 2016, he graduated from Connecticut College with a B.A. in history, moved west, and began a career in environmental education. Matt is a proponent of forest-based learning, and is excited to bring his skillset and enthusiasm to the Tillamook Forest Center.
Joslyn Krahel – Interpretation Specialist
Oregon native, Joslyn, is joining the Tillamook Forest Center team after two summer seasons working with the Oregon Department of Forestry's Recreation Department. She is passionate about ecology and has shared eight years teaching and mentoring youth in nature with NW Outdoor Science School. She enjoys trivia, creating art, and learning. She is looking forward to engaging with visitors in the amazing setting of the Tillamook State Forest.
Ann O’Maley – Site Host Volunteer
Ann brought her love of fishing, camping, and the Oregon Coast, to the center in March. Just as she dipped her toes into working at the information desk, we had to close the facility. We really enjoyed getting to meet Ann, and do hope that our paths will cross again in the future.
Behr & Denise Barth – Site Host Volunteers
Enjoying rock music as a hobby, this certified arborist and his patient partner from Arizona were grateful to help visitors and go “jeeping” in the Tillamook State Forest. These two forest-loving folks, just like Ann, got settled in as site hosts for the season and then the world flipped upside down. Thank you for helping during the transition, and we wish you the best in the future.
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Amazing volunteer cadre
– Lailani Buchanan, Barb & John Casteel, Barbara Dunnette, Steve Jerrett, Ann Lohmeier, Kristy Lund, Jim Reeher, and Pat Yost.
While these folks aren’t new to the center, they are instrumental in our operations and rounding out our team. We miss you all dearly and can’t wait until we meet again.
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Stay connected: Join us online during the closure
Normally, the end of spring brings waves of visitors to the Tillamook Forest Center (TFC) eager to bask in the warm weather of the forest. During the closure due to the concerns of COVID-19, we are continuing to connect with forest visitors in new and creative ways.
Looking for some fun and informational activities to fulfill your forest cravings? The TFC is offering a variety of online programming. Whether your interests are in art, nature, or history, there is a program for you! Recent programs include a naturalist-led talk on wildlife signs, and our latest installment of
From the Archives
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Visit either the
TFC Facebook page
or
TFC YouTube page
to catch a program. We look forward to seeing you back at the Tillamook Forest Center, when it is safe to do so!
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Our gift shop has you covered
While you might not be able to browse the gift shop at the center right now, we have some great products available to help you enjoy your time while we all continue to stay closer to home. We take orders by phone and are at the ready to help you find nature inspiration.
In need of a relaxing indoor activity? Pick up one of these coloring books filled with beautiful nature scenes and be transported to your favorite Pacific Northwest destinations.
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Looking for ways to help your kids connect with nature right in your own backyard? We’ve got the resources for you! Check out these books filled with activities to help kids discover the wonders of the outdoors, along with the
My Little Museum
to collect and display your outdoor discoveries.
Many other items are available, and if you have an item in mind, we’re happy to fill your requests. For more information or to place an order, please call (503) 815-6801, leave your contact information, and one of our staff will be in touch with you.
Items pictured in this story:
- Color the Pacific Northwest............... $12.95
- Pacific Northwest Nature................... $12.95
- I Love Dirt!............................................... $16.00
- Nature Play at Home........................... $24.95
- My Little Museum.................................. $16.95
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