Full speed ahead into the 21st Century
Five years ago, when I began as OFRI's second executive director, I made a pledge to the OFRI Board of Directors that our public education efforts would become more digital. We had to, in order to stay relevant. Clearly, the explosive growth of the Internet, mobile devices and e-publishing demanded that OFRI keep up with the times. With this issue, we're announcing our first-ever mobile application for smart phones and tablets. Oregon's Forest Facts & Figures, which we publish in hard copy every two years, is our most popular publication. Now you can download it as a free mobile app for iOS and Android platforms. In addition, as OFRI watchers know, we've grown our Internet presence to four websites: OregonForests.org for the general public, LearnForests.org for formal and nonformal educators, KnowYourForest.org for forest landowners, and TheForestReport.org for people interested in economic information about the forest sector. Last month, these four sites combined saw an average 6,000 monthly visitors. This month we learned that DHX Advertising, the Portland firm we hired to write and design OregonForests.org, won a Hermes Creative Gold Award from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals. This is wonderful recognition for their work, and that of the OFRI staff, as we join hands to tell the story of Oregon's amazing forests. Paul Barnum Executive Director |
Get your facts to go! Forest fact
booklet released as a mobile app
OFRI's popular reference booklet Oregon Forest Facts & Figures 2013 is now available as a free mobile app on iOS and Android platforms. It's OFRI's first exploration into mobile applications.
The app contains all the information from the Facts & Figures booklet, plus videos and additional content, such as forest-sector economic data broken down by county. The app is easy to use and also includes a glossary. Users can touch a highlighted term to see a definition, picture or video.
"It's the Facts & Figures booklet expanded," says Jordan Benner, OFRI's public outreach program manager. "We're adding interactive abilities, videos and a couple extra features, and putting it in people's pockets."
"Think of this as a mobile resource for anyone who tracks Oregon's forests and forest policy, or who may be curious about the state's 30 million acres of forests," says Paul Barnum, OFRI's executive director. "These data are up to date and come from reliable public sources."
Developed by Motus Digital Publishing of Portland, the app will be periodically updated with new information. The information resides on a user's device, so it's accessible even in areas without phone service. However, you will need wireless access for the initial download of content.
View in the Apple App Store
View in Google Play
View in your browser
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Signs of the times: Landowners encouraged
to participate in replanting education efforts
Helping keep the public informed about Oregon's sustainable forest practices is now just as simple as putting up a field sign.
That's why OFRI is giving free "Planted" signs to landowners, who can put them on newly reforested land near any well-traveled highway.
"The public's No. 1 concern about timber harvest is that the land is replanted," says Paul Barnum, OFRI's executive director. "Insiders know that's routine, but our research shows the public appreciates these reminders. So we want to make it easy for landowners."
In the first month of the program, OFRI shipped 29 signs to seven landowners. The signs are 5 feet wide, white with green letters.
Rodney Jacobs, a forester for Stimson Lumber, was one of the first to request one, a "Planted 2011" sign for land along Highway 26 in the Coast Range.
"New seedlings are tough to see at 55 miles per hour," Rodney says. "Without a sign, people might not even notice them. It's good information to get out."
Request a sign at KnowYourForest.org.
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Scientists detail watershed research: Effects of today's logging 'often subtle'
Contemporary logging practices change forest watersheds, but "these changes are often difficult to detect...often subtle."
That was how Arne Skaugset wrapped up the latest Watersheds Research Cooperative conference in Corvallis April 18. Skaugset is the lead scientist on the Hinkle Creek Paired Watershed Study near Roseburg, one of three ongoing studies to measure riparian conditions before and after logging. The other studies are on the Trask and Alsea rivers, both in the Coast Range.
About 160 scientists and forestland managers attended the conference. Videos of the presentations are available online.
The watershed studies are extensive and go as far as having graduate students comb through bird excrement to see how important aquatic insects are to birds' diets, and figuring out how stream changes might affect birds. Scientists shared data from all three studies, covering stream temperatures and flows; turbidity and sediment; herbicide, nutrient and oxygen levels; and fish size and population.
The research will be presented in an upcoming special edition of the journal Forest Science.
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What's the big deal about woody biomass?
Small-diameter trees, slash, mill residuals - collectively it's called woody biomass.
Why is it important? How can it help heat, power and fuel Oregon? Who are the entrepreneurs blazing new paths in biomass utilization? And how can these projects improve both forest health and rural economies?
You'll want to watch this space next month, when OFRI releases a new video and printed report, Powered by Oregon, produced by OFRI with help from the state's Department of Forestry and Department of Energy, plus private-sector partners.
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Free forest tour on June 6 highlights
management effects on wildlife habitat
OFRI's Wildlife in Managed Forests program will host a tour in June of public and private forestlands, to look at how thinning, harvesting, weed control and other management activities affect wildlife habitat.
The tour - for forest managers, landowners, wildlife biologists and students - will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, June 6. It starts at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Corvallis.
It's free, but enrollment is limited and will be first come, first served. Contact Mike Cloughesy for registration.
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Enrich your presentations with free downloadable photos, graphics
Do you need a photo or chart to illustrate a publication or a PowerPoint presentation? How about a graph that shows the Oregon timber harvest?
"You don't need to call me or Mike Cloughesy anymore to ask for it," jokes Jordan Benner, OFRI's public outreach program manager. "It's self-serve now - fast and easy."
Go to the new Gallery page in the "What's New" section of OFRI's website, where you can download free low- or high-resolution JPEG photos and graphics. OFRI asks only that you credit "Oregon Forest Resources Institute."
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Benner a winner of SFI photo contest
Jordan Benner, OFRI's Public Outreach Program Manager, was selected as one of six winners for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative's 2013 national forest photography contest. Benner took first place in the Forest Harvest category.
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Oregon Forest Resources Institute · OregonForests.org
The Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Forest Resources Institute in 1991 to improve public understanding of the state's forest resources and to encourage environmentally sound forest management through training and other educational programs for forest landowners. OFRI is funded by a dedicated harvest tax on forest products producers.
Click here to add or remove an email address.
Copyright © 2013, Oregon Forest Resources Institute. All Rights Reserved.
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Recently on the Blog
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Starker Lectures
All about biomass
The Starker Lectures' exploration of biomass wraps up in May, with a lecture and a tour:
May 16:
Oregon Department of Energy biomass expert Matt Krumenauer (pictured above) will speak about Oregon's experience with biomass energy.
May 30:
A field trip to biomass facilities in Benton and Lane counties. Register by May 17.
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Save the date:
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|  Economic importance of forests
Did you know that Oregon's forest sector accounts for one in 20 Oregon jobs - and an even higher portion in many rural communities?
Learn more.
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|  Camassia Natural Area
Spring is the time to view brilliant wildflowers in the meadows and white oak woods of Portland's Camassia Natural Area, managed by our friends at The Nature Conservancy.
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