OFRI eNews: October 2022

Advancing common interests between forestry and all Oregonians

Since coming onboard with OFRI last month as the new executive director, I’ve been spending a lot of time getting up to speed with the Institute and all the important work we do for the state of Oregon.

 

Established by the Legislature over three decades ago, OFRI’s fundamental mandate is to support Oregon’s forest products sector and foster the wise stewardship of natural resources for the benefit of Oregonians. Forestry contributes an estimated 61,500 jobs to Oregon’s economy, more than $8 billion in state gross domestic product and more than $18 billion in base economic output. And with almost half of Oregon covered in forestland, this is a critical sector that can directly touch nearly every Oregonian.

 

The health of this sector depends on responsible stewardship to ensure the sustainability of our forests, requiring collaboration across many different interests statewide and a common understanding of the fundamental facts about our forests. OFRI is in a unique position to lead in this important work, with a dual mandate of supporting what’s in the best interest of both the public and the forestry sector in Oregon.

 

OFRI’s purpose does not put one interest over the other, but instead leans into that sweet spot where benefits are realized for all. And as a state agency, OFRI is entrusted to carry out its work from a professional, balanced and nonpartisan perspective. I look forward to advancing OFRI in the essential leadership role it is tasked with to keep our forest sector strong, and to meet all the expectations and needs of Oregonians around the sustainability of our forests. 

 

For the forest,

 

Jim Paul

Executive Director

Pamphlet explores many benefits of Oregon's forests

Adventure Awaits, a new, colorfully illustrated pamphlet OFRI has developed for recreational visitors to Oregon’s forests, explores the many environmental, social and economic benefits forests provide to all Oregonians.


The brochure-sized pamphlet serves as a primer for visitors to Oregon’s wo-producing forests, where they’re likely to encounter a recent timber harvest or other forestry activities. It explains modern forest management and logging practices, and that laws and regulations are in place to protect wildlife habitat, drinking water sources and other vital natural resources.


With five tabbed sections offering a basic overview of forest ownership, wildlife, water, logging and replanting, and carbon and wood products, Adventure Awaits helps Oregonians understand that many forests in Oregon are managed for multiple uses beyond recreation, including providing the raw materials to make wood products, storing carbon, and providing fish and wildlife habitat.


Free copies of Adventure Awaits are available to download or order through OFRI’s website, OregonForests.org. The pamphlet fits in a brochure rack and a standard letter-size envelope, allowing it to be made available in forest visitor centers, recreation district or timber company offices or distributed with permits allowing recreational access to private forestlands. 

DOWNLOAD OR ORDER ADVENTURE AWAITS

OFRI board plans forest tour

The OFRI board of directors will tour a privately owned forest near Independence on Oct. 21 to explore components of proposed changes to Oregon’s forest practice rules associated with the Private Forest Accord agreement between the timber industry and conservation groups.


The public field tour will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Members of the public planning to join the tour must provide their own transportation and lunch.


Tour presentations will explore how the public, conservation and forestry interests in the Private Forest Accord intersect and ways OFRI could provide educational resources to support those audiences. Stops along the tour include visits to areas where streamside logging restrictions will be expanded to better protect fish and aquatic wildlife habitat, as well as a discussion of proposed new rules for logging on steep slopes and updated standards for forest road construction and maintenance. Other topics on the tour agenda include fish passage upgrades, aquatic species protections and how small forestland owners will be affected by upcoming changes to Oregon’s forest practice rules.


A public announcement with the tour schedule is available on OFRI’s board meetings and materials webpage. To request a tour itinerary and map or special accommodations, contact Kathy Storm at storm@ofri.org


In other news...

Blog: “OFRI's unique purpose of advancing common interests between forestry, all Oregonian”

In his first post on the OFRI blog, Executive Director Jim Paul shares his vision for OFRI and how he will lead the Institute. Read Jim’s thoughts about OFRI’s unique purpose here


Blog: "New videos and website highlight changes to forest laws and regulations"

In recent months, OFRI has been focusing its educational efforts for forestland owners and the public on explaining coming changes to Oregon’s forest laws and regulations. Jordan Benner, OFRI’s senior manager, public outreach, details these efforts in a blog post, including a newly updated website and educational videos. Read his blog to learn more. 


OFRI board to meet Oct. 20

The OFRI board of directors will hold its next meeting on Thursday, Oct. 20 in Independence. The meeting is open to the public and will start at noon at the Independence Hotel, 201 Osprey Lane. An agenda for the meeting is available on OFRI’s board meeting and materials webpage.


State revises fire risk map timeline

The Oregon Department of Forestry has revised its action plan for engaging the public on wildfire protection efforts as part of the state’s strategy to create more fire-resilient communities. This includes a revised timeline for implementing a statewide wildfire risk map to allow for robust community engagement, outreach and education. Learn more about the updated fire risk map timeline here.



Upcoming events

OFRI Board Meeting

Oct. 20, Independence


Sustainable Northwest Live Edge Gala

Oct. 20, Portland


OFRI Board Tour

Oct. 21, Independence

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Oregon Forest Resources Institute
The Oregon Forest Resources Institute supports and enhances Oregon’s forest products industry
by advancing public understanding of forests, forest management and forest products.

A 13-member board of directors governs OFRI. It is funded by a portion of the forest products harvest tax.

   
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