Full
Spectrum Forestry
Tours
Landowners
say Howdy Neighbor
as a first
act to sustain
their family
forests!
As attendees of
the first series
of Full Spectrum
Forestry Howdy
Neighbor! events
will testify,
Oregonian family
woodland owners
have a lot more
in common than
you might imagine
and are ready
to help each
other ensure
that privately
owned family
woodlands are
a thriving part
of Oregon's
landscape in
2050.
While conflicts
have dominated
press coverage
over management
of our state
and federal
lands, and ballot
initiative-after-ballot
initiative try
to find a public
policy solution
to private property
and market-based
issues, the
31,000-plus
family woodland
owners in Oregon
have quietly
gone about their
business.
And now they are
organizing themselves
to adapt to
the changing
face of Oregon.
The Full Spectrum
Forestry, Howdy
Neighbor! tours,
hosted by the
volunteer group
Oregon Small
Woodlands Association
(OSWA), were
designed by
landowners for
landowners.
The aim of the
tours was to
encourage landowners
to take leadership
in the conversation
about their
forests, share
knowledge, and
organize to
act.
The first event
in Sandy, attracted
35 people. By
the time of
a second tour
at Mount Richmond,
near Gaston
in Yamhill County,
the number grew
to 55. The final
tour at the
Havel Family
Forests in Polk
County saw over
80 landowners
brave a rainy
day to share
stories on what
works for them.
As well as seeing
a new landowner
question-led
format, the
events unveiled
a new forest
education character
call Forest
Dan, (aka Mark
Havel). He and
other OSWA leaders
have notice
a growing need
for landowner's
educational
efforts that
answer practical
questions, quickly
and effectively.
"I have been
touring the
country for
years talking
to family forest
landowners as
part of my log
arch business;
most people
today don't
have a lot of
time to attend
classes about
one specialized
subject or another
and have little
interest in
becoming mini
foresters. They
want practical
information
and an opinion
on what will
work on their
land."
Attendees commented
that these tours
are fun and
they enjoy sharing
experiences
and knowledge
with each other
in a relaxed
atmosphere.
Belinda Pearl,
of Portland
had this to
say, "I
liked the tours
because my husband
(Mitch) and
I were able
to be ourselves.
They're a great
low pressure
way to have
face-to-face
conversations,
and as a couple,
we can follow
up on things
we have learned
when we get
home. It's cool
because I can
help others,
and others can
help me."
She continued "Mitch
is much more
advanced in
woodland knowledge
and terminology
at present.
I'm an extreme
novice. I'm
a recovering
city slicker.
I was worried
about being
perceived as
another dreamer
with woodland,
but what I found
was a group
who were supportive
and committed
to a labor of
love, despite
the fact they
do not see a
lot of social
recognition.
The community
of woodland
owners wants
to be tight."
Belinda finished
by saying "With
the presentation
having differing
views and styles
of traditional
lectures, both
of us could
follow along.
We felt comfortable
asking questions
and the group
was not intimidating.
Mitch was able
to enrich his
level of advanced
learning, experts
were there to
talk to during
breaks and walking
to the next
site. There
were multiple
ways to learn,
and all were
really friendly."
Another bonus
of the events
is that, given
the right kind
of support,
woodland owners
can lead the
state in innovative,
cost effective
efforts to engage
with folks who
would continue
to learn.
Steve Russelle
thanks to tour
organizers,
"I enjoyed
it thoroughly,
I want to come
to a chain saw
operation and
safety class.
Is the date
set for that,
and is it too
early to make
a reservation
for the wife
and I?"
Mike Gaudern, executive
director of
OSWA, had this
to say about
the effort,
"We were
looking to have
fun and plant
seeds of knowledge
that lead to
people becoming
engaged. 87
of 125 folks
who attended
either one or
more of the
tours were non
members. We
were very encouraged
by the style
of the day and
the feeling
of camaraderie
that developed
as we shared
stories and
ideas. This
is the first
year, we, as
an association
has organized
such an effort.
There is no
doubt we will
be doing it
again."
The events were
hosted by:
Volunteers of
Oregon Small
Woodlands Association
& the Oregon
Small Woodlands
Association
State Office
The events were
supported by:
Marion and Polk
Small Woodlands
Association,
Clackamas County
Farm Forestry
Association,
Yamhill County
Small Woodlands
Association,
Yamhill Soil
and Water Conservation
District, Family
Forests of Oregon,
Oregon Forest
Resources Institute,
Oregon State
University Extension,
Stimson Lumber
Company, Managed
Forest program
We thank you
for your support
