Welcome to our chapter of the Oregon Small Woodlands Association. This chapter is made up of both Jackson and Josephine counties.
The Jackson Josephine Small Woodlands Association is a friendly group of small woodland owners who are interested in the care, management, and improvement of their forestlands.
“Small Woodlands” means tracts of privately-owned forest and woodlands, from a few acres to several hundred acres or more. Members have diverse interests and objectives ranging from fire protection, to wildlife habitat enhancement, to timber harvesting. We share a love of the land and an interest in learning and exchanging ideas.
We have regular educational programs and tours, most of which are open to non-members.
All of our webinar videos related to forestry and wildlife can be seen on our YouTube Channel. Simply go to Youtube.com and enter JJSWA in the search bar and all of our programs will come up. You can view them at your convenience. Additionally, you can become a free Subscriber on our YouTube Channel and you will be notified when a new program has been posted!
Current Contact Info
Please feel free to contact JJSWA at: jjsmallwoodlandsassoc@gmail.com
Get Help-
Where to get answers, technical & financial assistance.
Many organizations and agencies are here to provide technical assistance, information and education to you as a private landowner.
OSU Extension Service
OSU Extension Service brings research-based education to residents of Jackson & Josephine Counties.
- Educational programs-classes, tours, demonstrations
- Frequent programs and tours with the Jackson Josephine Small Woodlands Assoc. Publications
- Clearinghouse for woodland management questions
- Master Woodland Manager & Land Stewards programs
Forestry/Natural Resources Agent
- Max Bennett
OSU Extension Service, Jackson-Josephine Counties
569 Hanley Road, Central Point, OR 97502
(541) 776-7371 x221
max.bennett@oregonstate.edu
Jackson County Extension Office:
- 569 Hanley Road, Central Point, OR 97502
(541) 776-7371
Josephine County Extension Office:
- 215 Ringuette Street, Grants Pass, OR 97527
(541) 476-6613
Oregon Department of Forestry
Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) provides fire protection for private lands, administration of forest practices rules, and technical assistance.
- Fuels reduction grants & fire restrictions
- Provides fire protection for private and BLM lands
- Forest practices rules administration; the place to file notifications of operations
- Stewardship foresters provide on-site assistance for woodland owners
Department of Forestry locations & Contact:
- 5286 Table Rock Road, Central Point, OR 97502
(541)664-3328 - 5375 Monument Drive, Merlin, OR 97526
(541)474-3152
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) /
Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCD)
NRCS and SWCD provide technical and financial assistance to landowners, usually in association with development and implementation of a conservation or management plan.
- Conservation planning
- Technical assistance for soil and water conservation issues
- Financial assistance/incentive programs for riparian planting (CREP) and forestry practices (EQIP)
Medford Service Center
- 573 Parsons Dr. Medford, OR 97501-3769
(541) 776-4267
Master Woodland Manager Training Program
The Oregon State University offers a Master Woodland Manager training program. Classes are held at different locations throughout the state via the local extension office. The program usually consists of 8 – 10 classes (each 1-2 days) over a period of several months. Check with your local Forestry Extension Agent to see what the upcoming schedule is for Master Woodland Manager training. How to become a Master Woodland Manager explains the program, how to apply and gives a sample training schedule.
Know Your Trees
Knowing your trees is an important first step in managing your woodland. Learn what types of trees and forests you have.
What kind of tree is that?
Forest near Birdseye Creek – Photo courtesy of Dennis Morgan
Southern Oregon is blessed with a wide variety of conifer trees (evergreens that have cones) – in fact, this region is considered to have more conifer species diversity than any other place in the world! Local species include Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, incense cedar, sugar pine, white fir, and many others. Along with these conifers are many broadleaf or hardwood species, such as black oak, white oak, Pacific madrone, and bigleaf maple. Interestingly, some of these broadleaves don’t lose their leaves in winter, but stay green all year – such as the madrone, canyon live oak, tanoak, and golden chinkapin. That’s why southern Oregon is known for its “mixed evergreen” forest – a mix of both conifers and evergreen hardwoods.
Interested in learning more about what kinds of trees are growing on your property? OSU Extension’s Trees to Know in Oregon is a great place to start. It’s available for $12 at the Extension office or can be ordered on-line at the link above. The Common Trees of the Pacific Northwest through OSU is a great resource with pictures and descriptions of our natives trees.
Getting to know trees is a little like getting to know people – each variety has a different “personality” and a different set of talents. For example, some trees do well on hot dry sites, like oaks and pines, while others like shady, moist locations, like bigleaf maple. Other trees have unusual talents – alder, for instance, is a “nitrogen fixer” – it fertilizes the soil. The more you learn about your trees and their capabilities, the better you’ll be able to take care of them, and the more you’ll enjoy them.
Southern Oregon Woodlands and Forests
Southern Oregon has several different types of forests as well as other natural vegetation. These are the result of wide variations in rainfall, elevation, aspect (the direction the slope faces, such as north or south), and soils. Some of the most common types include rangeland, chaparral, oak woodland, mixed conifer forest, and riparian vegetation. Southern Oregon is noted for its diversity – you may find one or more of these types on a single property!
Rangeland and chaparral occurs on hot, dry sites. Often these are south-facing slopes. Rangeland is mostly grasses and flowers, both native to the area and non-native.
Chaparral consists of different types of brush. It often comes in after fire or other disturbances.
Oak woodlands are common at low elevations in southwestern Oregon. Historically, much oak woodland consisted of fairly large, widely spaced trees, but in the last century, with fire suppression many oak stands have grown more dense. Oak woodlands are especially valued for the diverse wildlife and other organisms that inhabit them.
With still more rainfall and deeper soils, you find mixed conifer forests. Conifer trees in this type include Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, incense cedar, and sugar pine. A few white fir and Pacific yew may be found on moist sites. Hardwoods include Pacific madrone, California black oak, Oregon white oak on dry sites, and bigleaf maple on moist sites. On wetter sites, especially in Josephine County, are found mixed evergreen forests. These include the species listed above as well as other hardwoods including tanoak, chinkapin, madrone, and other evergreen hardwoods.
On higher elevation, colder, mixed conifer forests are often dominated by white fir.
Riparian forests are those growing close to water. Common trees include black cottonwood, alder, bigleaf maple, Oregon ash, willows, and other species that are grow along streams where soil moisture is abundant all year long. Riparian areas may also include conifer species. Riparian forests tend to be productive and heavily used by wildlife.
Additional Links
https://knowyourforest.org/learning-library
The OSU Extension and others in the Partnership for Forestry Education are pointing to the Know Your Forest website as a central source of information for common issues and questions.
