Linn County Seedling Sale is a Wrap!

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A very successful seedling sale!

Buoyed by continued success of the Linn County Small Woodlands Association Seedling Sale, board members have increased scholarship and educational funding commitments for the year.  Meeting March 5, directors heard financial results of the February 1 seedling sale.  Treasurer Shirley Holmberg reported that profits from the 25th annual event, after scholarships, totaled about $9,500.

“It was a resounding success, thanks to all the hard-working volunteers and amazing people that make it happen,”


— Bonnie Marshall, seedling sale chairwoman

Roughly 500 hours of volunteer time was put in over the weekend of the sale, according to Fay Sallee, LCSWA education committee chairwoman. Seventy five people, she said, staffed the event— including 4-Hers and the current three university scholarship recipients.

“The bottom line is we have tremendous support for this event from a lot of people and we really thank them all,” said Sallee.

 Overall, Marshall said, 11,600 seedlings were sold, up from 9,000 plants a year earlier.  The event continues to encourage the pre-sale of seedlings, with 203 sales coming from pre-order forms sent to new and past customers.  In comparison, last year’s pre-orders totaled about 140. There were 136 orders filled from additional customers early Saturday as people came to pick up their pre-orders, said Marshall.

This year’s biggest complication came when a freeze wiped out a nursery’s stock of red alder.  Marshall said people who pre-ordered alder were able to substitute other seedlings or were issued refunds when they picked up the rest of their order.

Based on the seedling sale report, directors unanimously agreed to increase the annual renewable scholarships that go to Oregon college forestry students from Linn County from $1,000 to $2,000.  The approved motion was for a one-time only increase that may be continued by further board action.

The board also agreed to use $7,000 in past seedling sale proceeds to join five other OSWA chapters in the Oregon Natural Resources Education Fund (ONREP).  OSWA President Mike Barsotti introduced the idea at the annual meeting in January and urged the move at the directors’ meeting. Benton, Lane, Washington, Columbia and Yamhill had previously agreed to provide $18,000 of the $25,000 necessary to create the grant program to be administered by the Oregon Community Fund, said Barsotti.

The establishment of an OSWA ONREF sub fund will provide more support to high school forestry education programs, said Barsotti, and involve OSWA in the annual selection and awarding grants to Oregon high schools. Sweet Home, Scio and Stayton are local high schools that have received past ONREF grants.

Along with the annual seedling sale at the Linn County Expo, a local woods fair — a woody-goods fest — also attracted land owners and others with questions about Oregon forestry and wood products.

“Turnout was good for chapter volunteers as well as patrons,” said Lee Peterman, chapter president. “Vendors seemed pleased with sales.”

“The focus on the ‘other-side-of-the-hall’ from the seedling sale, was on educational and informational resources to small land-owners in addition to the traditional vendors of products from local forest-land artisans,” explained Peterman.

One veteran vendor at the Feb. 1 event said he sold about $80 in goods during the morning. He added, however, the 20 business cards he handed out that day could also pay later dividends.

The Linn County Small Woodlands Assoc. is a non-profit organization with about 120 family memberships. 

A huge thank you goes out to all our customers that have purchased seedlings over the past 25 years.  Without you, our seedling sale wouldn’t be the successful fundraiser it is benefitting youth throughout our county.

Winter 2020 NW Woodlands Magazine

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The Winter 2020 Northwest Woodlands Magazine is now available for download. Topics include:

Forest Goals: Expanding Your Vision

  • Making Your Goals Fit the Real World
  • Plan for the Future of Your Forestland
  • What About Carbon?
  • Share Your Science Data
  • Developments in Certification

Head over to the OSWA Members Area to log in and read this edition!

Members Can Add Additional Chapters to Membership

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Did you know that for a small fee, existing Oregon Small Woodlands Association members can add additional chapters to their membership?

Existing members wishing to add additional chapter memberships, please contact Jeremy Felty at Jeremy@OSWA.Org.

Additional chapter memberships are $13 each.

We look forward to hearing from any members who are interested in adding additional chapter/s to their membership.

OSWA End of Session Report

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OSWA End of Session Report 2019

By Roger Beyer

The legislative session began on January 14th with Democrats controlling both legislative chambers with super majorities (60% or more) and a democratic governor. The two chambers introduced nearly 1500 bills the first day and then adjourned until January 22nd when the session began in earnest.  The adjournment was preplanned, in that by starting on the 22nd the constitutional end date would be June 30th which coincides with the end of the fiscal year.

The Agriculture and Natural Resources lobby groups met twice a week to identify issues and make strategic plans.  This has been happening since the 2009 session and the results speak for themselves. By working together as a group, we have been much more successful than in the past.  With the current leadership and attitude of the legislature, everyone was expecting a very difficult session, and we were not disappointed.  

In the end, we succeeded in stopping many harmful policy bills including the proposed carbon cap and trade bill which would have been very detrimental to agriculture producers.  Additionally, we protected key budgets (ODA, ODF, OWRD) from harmful cuts and successfully lobbied to have the OSU Extension budget restored to current service level plus an additional $5.2 million for specific identified programs including:

  • $2 million (Extension) for fire resilience and recovery 
  • $2.27 million (AES) and $410K (Extension) for water quality and quantity programs 
  • $375K (Extension) for organic agriculture positions and $125K (one-time funding AES) for a continuing berry position. 

The next session is only 7 months away and I expect to see many of the issues that did not pass introduced at that time.  One we can count on for sure is the Carbon Cap and Trade as both the Governor and legislative leaders have stated it will be their highest priority for 2020.

Below is a list of bills affecting natural resource industries.  The list begins with bills which passed, sorted by issue areas. Following is the list of bills which did not pass, again by issue area.  

Bills of Interest That Passed

Regulation

Clean Diesel (HB 2007): Creates phase-out requirements for 2007 and older on-road diesel engines in Clackamas County, Washington County, and Multnomah County by 2029.  Exempts fleets of five trucks or less, low-mileage fleets, off-road engines, log trucks, f-plates, farm tractors, and implements of husbandry. 

Labor

FFA Funding (HB 2444): Provides state funding to Oregon FFA. The bill provides $1.43 million to the program and $600,000 in grant funds for FAA advisors during the summer months.

Environmental and Water

Dam Safety (HB 2085): Modifies the dam safety statutes in several minor respects.

Partial Assumption (HB 2436): Allows the Department of State Lands to assume fill-and-removal permitting from the Army Corps of Engineers for development activities within the urban growth boundary, excluding agricultural and forestry activities.

Codification of Obama-Era Regulations (HB 2250): Requires Oregon’s natural resources agencies to address through agency rules any changes to federal regulations under the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, or Safe Drinking Water Act.

Navigability (HB 2835): Requires state agencies to look for opportunities for public access to waterways on public lands.

Tax

Commercial Activity Tax (HB 3427): Creates a tax on businesses with taxable receipts over $1 million. The minimum tax is $250, plus a 0.57% tax on receipts over the $1M threshold. 

Income Tax Kicker Modification (HB 2975): Includes an accounting change that reduced the upcoming kicker by over $100 million by transferring this money into the next biennium. 

Forest Products Harvest Tax (HB 2073): Sets harvest tax rate for upcoming biennium.

Wildlife

Elk Damage (SB 301): Adds elk overpopulation to the criteria of the Oregon Landowner Damage Program. Also, ODFW has committed to reviewing rules and regulations to expand opportunities to manage overpopulated elk herds that damage working lands. 

Landowner Damage Program (HB 2067): Removes the sunset dates for ODFW’s Landowner Damage Program. 

Land Use 

Second Dwelling for Forest Landowners (HB 2469): Allows landowner with at least 80 acres and home to site second home for family member under certain circumstances.

Forest Zone Template Test (HB 2225): Changed criteria for qualifying for template test home of forest land.

Extends Timeline to Exercise Building Rights (HB 2601): Allows forest landowner additional 5 years to build approved building.

Bills of Interest That Failed 

Regulation

Cap-and-Trade (HB 2020): Would have established a cap-and-trade program in Oregon for carbon emissions. In the end, HB 2020 had over 100 amendments. Thousands submitted written testimony. The committee held remote hearings around the state and bi-weekly meetings in Salem. HB 2020 passed the House of Representatives but died in the Senate following Senate Republicans denying quorum after significant grassroots opposition. 

Immunizes Landowners from Liability Claims by Guests (HB 2468): Would have expanded liability protection for landowners who allow guests and invitees to recreate on property.

Forestry in Drinking Watersheds (HB 2656): Would have banned forestry operations in drinking watersheds.

Pesticides

Aerial Application Ban (HB 2493; SB 926): HB 2493 would have banned aerial applications in the Santiam and McKenzie watersheds. SB 926 would have banned aerial applications on state-owned property.

Aerial Notification (HB 3044): Would have required an unworkable notification system for aerial applications of pesticides. 

Forestland Notification (SB 931): Would have required a notification and reporting program for pesticide applications on forestlands. 

Pesticide Use Reporting System (HB 2980). Would have extended the sunset on the pesticide use reporting system (PURS). 

Labor

Independent Contracting (HB 2498): Would have changed Oregon’s multi-part test to determine who is considered an employee versus an independent contractor. Many contractors would have lost their independent contractor status. 

Workers’ Comp Rewrite (HB 3022): Would have upended Oregon’s workers’ compensation system and increased risk and costs for small employers. 

SAIF Raid: Would have bought down Oregon’s PERS liability, Governor Brown proposed a raid on the SAIF reserves, anywhere from $500 million to $1.4 billion. 

Private Attorneys General (SB 750 & HB 2921): SB 750 would have enabled employees and unions to act as private attorneys general to supplement enforcement actions by public agencies in Oregon.  HB 2921 would have prohibited Attorney General from accepting funds from sources other than public bodies of this state to pay cost of employing assistants.

Environmental and Water

Stay of Water Rights Decisions (SB 977/HB 3420): Would have disallowed automatic stays in OWRD proceedings. 

Transfer of Stored Water (SB 51; SB 903; SB 946): 

SB 51 would have only allowed transfer of a storage water right in limited circumstances. 

SB 903 would have allowed transfer of a storage water right more broadly. 

SB 946 would have created a path for allowing transfer of stored water more broadly. 

Measurement and Reporting (HB 2851). Would have required new reporting requirements for water use. 

Harmful Algal Blooms (HB 2944; HB 3326; HB 3340): Would have required the Department of Environmental Quality to evaluate and respond to harmful algal blooms.

Tax

Pass Through Income (SB 211): Would have repealed the Small Business tax rates from 2013 and reduced the amount of income eligible for federal deductions. 

Forest Assessment (HB 2659): Would have repealed the special assessment for working forestlands. 

Estate Tax: 

SB 188 – Would have excluded decedent’s primary residence from the taxable estate.

SB 304 – Would have allowed the value of interest in a family-owned business to be excluded from the taxable estate.

SB 319 – Would have repealed Oregon estate tax.

SB 701 – Would have aligned Oregon’s basic exclusion to the federal value of $11.4 million.

Sunsets Forest Land Special Assessments (HB 2152): Would have repealed 5 key property tax programs for forestland.

Increased Severance Tax on Timber Harvest (HB 2495 & HB 3080): Would have created a new severance tax for fire suppression. 

Wildlife

Fish and Wildlife Commission Makeup (HB 2747; SB 310): Would have provided agricultural interests with a stronger voice on the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission. 

Land Use 

Historic Designations (SB 927): Would have removed a landowner’s ability to opt out of land use protections associated with historic designations. 

Oregon Agriculture Heritage Program (HB 2729; HB 2086): Bills that would have supported the newly created Oregon Agricultural Heritage Program. 

Oregon Small Woodlands Association Annual Meeting a Great Success

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By Mike Barsotti and Jim James

2019 OSWA Annual Meeting Summary

Benton County Small Woodlands Association Chapter hosted the Oregon Small Woodlands Association’s Annual Meeting June 20th – 21st in conjunction with the 2018 Oregon Tree Farmers of the Year Woods Tour of the Oakes family tree farm on June 22nd. 


 MC – OFRI’s Mike Cloughesy

The first day of the event consisted of OTFS and OSWA Board meetings, and tours of the Hull Oakes Lumber Company, the last steam powered lumber mill in the US; Thompson log yard and chipping operation and the Georgia Pacific sawmill; and Oregon State University College of Forestry’s new research facility and Peavy Hall with their use of cross laminate timbers and mass laminated panels. There were 110 OSWA members who participated in the tours. 

The second day, held at the Benton County Fair Grounds, was attended by 160 members. It included a series of presentations addressing the theme “Research, Policies and Practices for Family Forestland Management”. The Annual Meeting ended with an awards banquet recognizing Chapter Outstanding Volunteers, OSWA’s 2019 Rigging Slinger Awards, and the presentation of special Tree Farm signs to members with 25 and 50 years in the Oregon Tree Farm program.

Carbon Panel explains how to measure Forest Carbon

First Session – Fire

Fire was the focus of the first session. Jane Kertis, a USDA-Forest Service ecologist, provided information on the history of wildfires in Oregon from the 1400s to the present and peoples’ involvement in suppressing fires. Dan Leavell, an Oregon State University Extension Agent in Klamath and Lake Counties, discussed the activities and accomplishments of three projects in Central and South Central Oregon that were very successful in reducing the risk of wildfires through partnerships. Doug Grafe, Oregon Department of Forestry’s Fire Protection Chief, provided information on the 2019 fire season emphasizing the importance of Leavell’s projects, mitigating the risk of wildfires. He included with the thought that mitigation can be a key in having a societal discussion on active management of our forests.

Second Session – Forest Carbon

A second session dealt with forest carbon. It included Peter Daugherty, Oregon State Forester, Glenn Christensen, a USDA-FS forest inventory analyst with the Pacific Northwest Experiment Station, and Andrew Yost, an ODF ecologist. The group discussed forest carbon policy and how the data has and will be collected over time to provide a clearer picture on the role forests play in sequestering CO2.

Third Session – Forestry Education

The third session, made up of Ann Mikkelson, Oregon Natural Resource Education Program Coordinator, Anna Yarbrough, a consulting forester, and Connie Best, CEO of The Pacific Forest Trust, focused on forestry education.  Mikkelson shared information of the Environmental Literacy Program. Yarbrough discussed how best to tell the family forest landowner story. Best provided background information on The Pacific Forest Trust and a role for conservation easements.

Final Session – Marbled Murrelet

The day’s final session included an update of OSU’s research on the Marbled Murrelet by Lindsay Adrean, lead Faculty Research Assistance, and a legislative update provided by OSWA Lobbyist, Roger Beyer. The Marbled Murrelet research is in its third year of what is planned to be a 10-year study has uncovered additional information on the bird’s movement, nesting, and predation.  Beyer reported that OSWA’s HB 2469 which allows for a second dwelling for family assistance in managing the tree farm passed and was signed by the Governor. There were many bills, that if passed, would have been harmful to family forest owners and forestland management. OSWA members came to the Capitol several times during the 2019 legislative session to testify against these bills. None of them ever passed out of committee. He warned, we can expect several of them to return in future sessions. He complemented the OSWA membership for stepping up when needed to help defeat bad bills.  


Glenn Ahrens joined with harmonica as members enjoyed a festive social with local entertainment

OSWA Silent Auction & Awards Banquet


   The Silent Auction earned $3000 to support OSWA’s legislative activities

Throughout the day, the Linn County Chapter sold a variety of OSWA Awesome Products. Product sales were good. The Silent Auction Social and Awards Banquet completed the day.

The Awards Banquet recognized County Volunteers of the Year, OSWA’s Riggin’ Slinger Awards, and presentations of 25 and 50 Year American Tree Farm System signs.

OSWA Chapter Volunteers of the Year

Benton County – Greg Peterson was Benton County’s Outstanding Volunteer of the Year. He has been very active at the legislature in 2019 as an active member of the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC), testifying several times at hearings, reaching out to his legislators explaining OSWA’s positions, and encouraging others to do the same. He played a key role in OSWA’s successes in the 2019 Legislature.

Benton County President Karen Fleck-Harding,
Greg Peterson, and OSWA President Mike Barsotti

Clackamas County – Jessica Craven is Clackamas County’s Volunteer of the Year. She has been very active on chapter events, is the spell checker for many chapter publications, and helps organize and coordinate chapter events, like the chapter annual meeting.

Columbia County – Ray Biggs -Treasurer, Lynn Baker – ornamental tree sale chair person, and Bill Hanson – seedling sale chair person, were all Columbia County Outstanding Volunteers of the Year. All three are active on the chapter board and participate regularly on chapter activities.

    Bill Hanson and Lynn Baker receive awards from
        Jim James at Columbia County Woods Tour

Douglas County – Douglas County has two Outstanding Volunteers of the Year. They areMargaret Fabrezius and Tami Jo Braz.  Margaret is with Northwest Farm Credit Service’s which has been a great OSWA partner. She volunteers at OSWA events and supplies participants with coffee & goodies. Chapter events would not be the same without her.  Tami Braz was Douglas County’s Outstanding Volunteer of the Year in 2018 and has not slowed down. Her role as membership chairperson continues to increase our membership with 45 new members so far in 2019. Tami talks membership everywhere. People listen to her and join.  She also assists on the chapter newsletter. Margaret and Tami are very important members of the Douglas County Chapter.

  • Mike Barsotti and Margaret Fabrezius

Coos/Curry County – Jay Messerle is Coos/Curry County Chapter’s Volunteer of the Year. He currently serves as the chapter’s vice-president, and has served on the board for several years, including the past presidency. He’s been active in seeking out and recruiting new members, and linked us up with our annual keynote speaker. Jay has hosted woodland tours in our county, and is helping arrange a 2019 forestry tour. He fosters positive relationships with key partners, especially Southwestern Oregon Community College, with whom he has volunteered both his time and family ground to help educate local forestry students. Jay is a leader in the community and his expertise in forestry and logging are well known and respected by those who have had the pleasure of working with him

Lane County – Lauren Grand is the Lane County Volunteer of the Year.  She is the new OSU Extension Forester for Lane County beginning 2016.  Since that time, she has worked very closely with the Lane County Small Woodlands Association in providing tours and educational opportunities for Lane County forest land owners. She has been that shining star in the sky, providing forest land owners a new venue for forestry education and field experiences.  Lauren brought back the Master Woodland Training Session as well as Tree School for forest land owners in Lane County. Regularly attending chapter board meetings, she has interfaced with board members as well as Lane County forest land owners, inquiring as to what they would like in education and field experiences.  This has resulted in a growing number of presentations and field tours the likes of reforestation on your tree farm, timber taxes, a local Log buyers forum, silvicultural treatments for your forest and more.  Her smile is that shining star over Lane County and the chapter thanks her for her commitment and service. 

     Mike Barsotti and Lauren Grand 

Lincoln County – Jan Steenkolk is Lincoln County’s Volunteer of the Year. She serves a chapter treasure and is very active on the chapter board. Board meetings are held at her and husband Joe’s home. She and Joe participate in chapter events and take on responsibilities for chapter success.

  Mike Barsotti and Jan Steenkolk

Jackson/Josephine County – Maxine Cass is the Jackson/Josephine County Chapter’s Volunteer of the Year. She has taken care of meeting planning and refreshments over the last year, and has ably served on the program planning committee. She has successfully helped recruit guest speakers. 

Mike Barsotti and Bill Bowling

Linn County – Bill Bowling is the Linn County Volunteer of the Year. Bill is the past chapter President and remains active in all chapter events. He volunteered in 2018 to coordinate Linn County’s venture into being responsible for the sale of OSWA products. Through his leadership, the OSWA product sales are on a path for new products and effective sales programs. Product sales were very good at Tree School in March and again at this year’s annual meeting. 

Marion/Polk County – Terry Lamers is the Marion/Polk County Volunteer of the Year. He is very active in the chapter while serving on the board.  He volunteers his experience in forest management and knowledge with new members and others with the management of their properties. 

Yamhill County – Bill Spurling is the Yamhill chapter’s Outstanding Volunteer of the Year.  He has been a steady, reliable member of the chapter board and does a great job keeping the OSWA web page up to date on Yamhill County events and he troubleshoots problems there.  Bill has volunteered to be the chapter membership chairman and helps out in countless other ways for various chapter events. He is someone the chapter can count on. 

Susan Schmidlin and Jim James at 
   Washington County woods tour

Washington County – Washington County Volunteer of the Year is Susan Schmidlin.  She is on the Washington County our Board of Directors, volunteers to take minutes, and updates the chapter website bi-monthly with the current chapter Forest Forum newsletter.  She also has a daily blog, “Schmidlin Angus Farms,” that shares in an educational and humorous way life on their farm – cattle, forest, gardening and wildlife.  She is a “citizen scientist” for weather and seasonal changes.  Susan volunteers to write for the Forest Forum whenever asked.  Her ever-smiling, cheerful attitude is an asset in any situation.

Riggin’ Slingers

OSWA Recognized three Riggin’ Slingers in 2019. Greg Peterson received his second Riggni’ Slinger Award. He was very active at the 2019 legislature as a member of the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC). He testifying several times at hearings, contacted legislators explaining OSWA’s positions, and set an example for others to follow. He played a key role in OSWA’s successes in the 2019 Legislature. Greg has also represented OSWA on the Mid Coast Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) review being done by the Department of Environmental Quality. He also served on OSWA’s Water Quality Team when OSWA commented to Oregon Department of Forestry on the Siskiyou Region riparian rule review process. 

            Jim James, Greg Peterson, and Mike Barsotti

Mike Newman was also given the Riggin Slinger Award. Mike also served on OSWA’s Water Quality Team and took a leadership role when the new Westside riparian rules were being developed at the Board of Forestry. As an OSU professor, Mike’s ongoing research on riparian areas, his expertise on the subject, and his ability to testify to the Board of Forestry helped shape the new rules to be less onerous to landowners. 

Jim James, Mike Newton, and Mike Barsotti

The third Riggin’ Slinger was Jim Schreiber, and a member of OSWA’s Membership Committee since 2012 representing Clackamas County. He helped write OSWA’s current membership growth strategy in 2013 that has averaged a 4% growth each year since then. He remains active on the committee offering suggestions to address membership issues when they come up. 

ATFS Signs

Two 25 Year and two 50 Year ATFS signs were presented to OSWA members who are also members of the Oregon Tree Farm System.


  • Jeremy Felty presented a 25 year sign to Dave Schmidt and his daughter.
  • Jeremy Felty presented a 25 year sign to Don Carr and family; daughter, grandchild, wife Maurine, and son-in-law
  • Jeremy Felty presented a 50 year sign to Mike Newton and his son Tom.
  • Rita Adams received a 50 Year ATFS sign from Jeremy Felty

OSWA Annual Meeting 2019

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Hosted by the Benton County Chapter 

Please Join Us

The Oregon Small Woodlands Association (OSWA) will hold its 2019 annual meeting June 20th – 22nd in Corvallis. The theme for the three-day meeting, hosted by the Benton County OSWA chapter, is “Research, Policy and Practices for Family Forest Management.”

On Thursday, June 20th there will be tour options for either Oregon State University’s new Oregon Forest Science Complex, Hull-Oakes Lumber Co. mill in Monroe, or the Thompson Timber Co.’s sort yard & shipping operation and Georgia Pacific’s sawmill both in Philomath. 

 OSWA’s annual meeting program and awards banquet will take place on June 21st at the Benton County Fairgrounds in Corvallis. The full-day program includes speakers discussing fire, forest carbon, communications and the latest research on the marbled murrelet. Other activities include a silent auction and awards banquet for the OSWA Chapter Volunteers of the Year and the 2019 County Tree Farmers of the Year, among other honors.

The annual meeting will conclude with the 2018 Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year Woods Tour on June 22nd. Participants will visit Oakes Investment, LLC’s forestland near Monroe managed by Don, Darrell and Dena Oaks, which has been in the Oakes family since 1883.

See brochure for more details.

Plans will include:

  • Discounted lodging at Corvallis Courtyard Marriott
    • Corvallis Courtyard Marriott Hotel
    • 400 SW 1st St, Corvallis, OR 97333
    • (541) 753-0199

Thursday, June 20th:

  • Afternoon mill and area tours
  • OTFS and OSWA Board meetings at Courtyard Marriott

Friday, June 21st at Benton County Fair Grounds:

  • Full day of presentations, exhibits, and programs
  • OSWA Membership Meeting
  • Silent Auction Awards banquet

Saturday, June 22nd -Carr/Oaks:

  • 2018 Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year woods tour

OSWA’s 2018 Successes

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Thanks for tuning in to learn about some of Oregon Small Woodland Association’s 2018 Successes. 2018 was another busy and productive year for OSWA!

Here are some highlights:

At the Capitol:

OSWA was successful with its priority efforts at the 2018 Legislative short session. The $500,000 Eastside Fire Tax Relief, which was dropped during the 2017 session, was reinstated; additional state funding was provided for Sudden Oak Death (SOD) control in the south coast area; and the Oregon Department of Forestry received additional funding to pay for the expensive 2017 fire season.

A Carbon and Invest issue was introduced during the short session. It failed to get any traction, but the legislature promised a carbon bill in 2019. OSWA has been participating in the governor’s Natural Resource Carbon Working Lands Committee and Oregon Department of Forestry’s Carbon Working Group on Carbon issues. The Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) will be advising our lobbyist, Roger Beyer, on this issue. Roger is well respected in Salem and did an outstanding job of achieving OSWA’s priorities in 2018.

Board of Forestry:

OSWA participated in a Department of Forestry Smoke Management Review committee throughout 2017. A revised smoke management policy and rules are out for review and should be approved in 2019. The new rules will allow more prescribed burning in an effort to help mitigate the smoke associated with large wildfires while focusing on public health. Participants in the committee included the Department of Environmental Quality, forest landowners, health organizations, cities, and counties.

OSWA continues to be engaged with the Board of Forestry on upcoming issues such as riparian rules in the Siskiyou and Eastside Regions and possible rules associated with Marbled Murrelets.

OSWA’s Annual Meeting:

Over 180 members enjoyed OSWA’s 58th Annual Meeting in Springfield hosted by the Lane County chapter. Participants were treated to mill tours on June 28th, a full day of informational sessions focusing on the theme ‘Managing Family Forests into the Future” and an enjoyable Awards Banquet on June 29th, and 140 participated in the 2017 Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year woods tour on Steve and Wylda Cafferata’s Family Forest on June 30th.

Neighbor to Neighbor Woods Tours:

In addition to the Cafferata Family tour, OSWA conducted three other Neighbor to Neighbor woods tours. One in Benton, Jackson, and Washington Counties and also hosted an event in Pendleton, to develop a new chapter for Morrow/Umatilla Counties.

Publications and Announcements:

Members received quarterly publications of the Oregon Family Forest News and the Northwest Woodlands magazine as well as Action Alerts and Legislative Updates.

Chapter Events:

Chapters held many local events and educational meetings plus kept members informed with their newsletters.

Membership:

Membership grew 6% in 2018, slightly higher than the 4% in 2016 & 2017.