Our Mission is to protect and enhance Oregon’s fish and wildlife and their habitats for use and enjoyment by present and future. Oregon Small Woodlands Association maintains a close relationship with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Oregon Department of Forestry
To serve the people of Oregon by protecting, managing, and promoting stewardship of Oregon’s forests to enhance environmental, economic, and community sustainability.” Oregon Small Woodlands Association (OSWA) works alongside the Department of Forestry (ODF), implementing required state forestry practices and helping woodland owners meet and exceed their property goals. ODF invites OSWA’s Executive Director and […]
Forest Products Harvest Tax
The Forest Products Harvest Tax (FPHT) is a tax applied to timber harvested from all land in Oregon, except most tribal lands. No distinction is made between timber harvested from private lands and government-owned lands. The Oregon Legislature and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute board of directors develop the FPHT tax rate. The tax is […]
Legislative Links
There are many ways to get involved, find information and access legislative resources. Here at the Oregon Small Woodlands Association, we have many important roles in the local and state government. Remember, OSWA lobbies for landowners! Contact the Oregon Legislature We also believe in the power of reaching out to elected officials on a local […]
Property Tax Deferral
Most property in Oregon is valued and taxed based on real market value – the price for which land would sell on the open market. But Oregon’s private forestlands are taxed differently than other kinds of property. Because forestlands are important to Oregon’s economic and environmental health, the Oregon Legislature established a special assessment program […]
Oregon Forest Practices Act
All “operations” on forested land are regulated by the Oregon Forest Practices Act (FPA), unless existing county forest land regulations meet or exceed the protections required by the state law. Very briefly, the requirements and intentions of the Oregon Forest Practices Act are: Planning / Notification Operators must notify the Oregon Department of Forestry at least […]
Tax Incentives & Obligations
There may be tax incentive programs or financial assistance to help you accomplish certain projects on your woodland property. Financial incentive programs are aimed at encouraging and assisting land owners. Since more than 44% of land in Oregon is privately owned, financial incentive programs are aimed at encouraging and assisting landowners in managing their resources […]
Enjoying Your Land
Country life can be tremendously rewarding, but it can require a lot of work! Weather conditions can compel decisions you would never have to consider as a city-dweller. Spotting a handsome buck or a coyote through your kitchen window can bring a delightful pause to your life. Walking through your own woods can fill you […]
Forest Products
Oregon’s forests grow an amazing array of products! Forest-based products range from the obvious – solid wood 2x4s, for example – to the obscure, including truffles growing beneath the litter layer on the forest floor. Take a look at the following list of forest products. While some may contain non-forest products as part of their […]
Living with Oregon Wildlife
Oregon has a very wide range of wildlife. You can often easily spot deer, raccoon, possum, skunk, rabbit, a myriad of rodents, frogs and toads, hundreds of different birds, and even occasionally cougar and coyote. Depending on your goals, you might want to just identify what you see, encourage certain wildlife to inhabit your property […]