OSWA Tours

Local chapters sponsor field tours, giving our members the opportunity to observe and learn from other succesful land owners. You may:

OSWA Members On a Tour
  • Learn tips to identify the trees, plants and animals that share the forest with us
  • Explore new ways to manage your forest for wildlife, timber, water quality and recreation
  • Discover the latest on the region's environmental and economic issues from a refreshingly balanced perspective
  • Learn ways to work safely in your woods, from felling timber and chopping the firewood to clearing trails
  • Be informed on up-to-date timber and log prices, pending state and national legislation, actions by governmental regulatory agencies,and activities of business leaders and conservation organizations

Woods Tours are advertised in chapter newsletters and Woodlander Updates. To participate in or host a woods tour, contact the local chapter president or board member.

2011 Howdy Neighbor Tours:

OSWA, in partnership with Oregon Forest Resource Institute (OFRI), conducts several Howdy Neighbor Tours each year.

The first Howdy Neighbor Tour of 2011 was held in conjunction with OSWA’s annual meeting on June 25th in Baker City. A visit to Kerry and Kari Borgen’s forest property just outside Baker City focused on important issues to eastside forests.

For Highlights of Borgen Tour click here.

On July 23rd a Howdy Neighbor Tour was held at Washington County’s 2010 Tree Farmer of the Year, Howell Tree Farm. The property is located on Gales Creek near Forest Grove. The tour was held in conjunction with the Tualatin Soil and Water Conservation District.

On August 13th a Howdy Neighbor Tour was hosted by Marie Gale, President of OSWA’s Coos/Curry County Chapter on the Chandler Family Ranch LLC near Myrtle Point. The tour focused on oak restoration, stream restoration, harvesting and planting, and the structure of the Chandler Family Ranch LLC.

For Highlights of Chandler Family Ranch Tour click here.

These tours create a great opportunity to learn about forest management issues on small family woodland ownerships and to dialog with friends, neighbors, and those with common interests. The 2012 tour sites have not yet been selected, but OSWA is planning for at least four Howdy Neighbor Tours in 2012.