Focus: Fall 2024

College of Forestry scientists are looking at how to build resilience into forest management in an increasingly hot, dry (summer) climate. They are looking at shifting existing management strategies that are finetuned for economic gain, but poorly tuned for flammability, heat domes and novel insects. And they are looking at how we can look to the past and respectfully weave Indigenous Knowledge and practice into strategies that reduce uncertainty and visualize a better approach to working with fire and improving resilience to fire.

We don’t have all the answers yet, but after all, that’s part of the scientific process. As you read this edition of Focus, you will see us leaning into these questions, taking steps forward when we have answers, and staying humble and curious for when we need to pivot or change course.

Fall 2024 Focus Stories

College News and Notes

The College of Forestry is on the cusp of acquiring a new property, the Tualatin Mountain Forest, which has historically been managed intensively as an industrial plantation. This forest, located just north of Portland, will help us research alternative forest management strategies and contrast them with traditional ones. We also hope this forest, positioned next to a large urban center, will become an important community recreation and youth education resource.

The Indigenous Natural Resource Office, launched in 2022, has successfully garnered over $6 million in grant funding so far. The college is currently conducting a nationwide search for a tenure track Assistant Professor of Indigenous and Community Perspectives on Land, Ecosystem, & Cultural Stewardship. This position will help develop much-needed curricula and work with faculty, staff and students interested in understanding and applying Indigenous Knowledge for greater climate resilience in western forest ecosystems.

Tallwood Design Institute (TDI), a collaborative effort between Oregon State University and University of Oregon to advance mass timber design and manufacturing, has been designated a Pacific Northwest Mass Timber Tech Hub by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Association (EDA). TDI is also a member of the Oregon Mass Timber Coalition and in 2022 the coalition received $41.4 million in federal funding, with about $24 million going directly to TDI. The coalition recently submitted a $55.5 million proposal to the EDA.

Oregon State University celebrated Dam Proud Day in April and the College of Forestry finished the day #1 on the leaderboards with the most money raised. Our marketing and communications team won the Spirit Award, the highest award the OSU Foundation bestows, for their outreach strategy. This strategy included placing Dean DeLuca and others, like Professor Emeritus Loren Kellogg and Zak Hansen, the senior director of development, in a dunk tank. Thank you to everyone who supported OSU and the college.

On May 29, the college hosted a dinner and reception at the Peavy Forest Science Center honoring the accomplishments of three talented alumni: Randy Hereford, B.S., Forest Engineering and Forest Management ‘77; Valerie Hipkins, M.S. Forestry and Genetics ‘89 and Ph.D, Forestry and Genetics ‘94; and Kendall Conroy, B.S. Renewable Resources ‘16 and M.S. Wood Science and Engineering ‘18. Randy joined Starker Forests in 1978 and became president and CEO in 2019. Valerie served as the associate deputy chief for research and development in the Washington office of the U.S. Forest Service and was recently appointed as the director of the Pacific Northwest Research Station. Kendall is the marketing director at Timber Products. Thank you for inspiring College of Forestry students to make a difference and shape the world we live in for the better.

Curious to learn more about the breadth of our work? Meet some of our incredible community members via our new video.

Oregon State University was recently ranked one of the nation’s 10 best online education providers for the 10th consecutive year by U.S. News & World Report. The College of Forestry is proud to offer many certificates, micro-credentials and degrees online. New this fall, our tourism, recreation and adventure leadership undergraduate degree will be available online. We will also be offering new online master’s and certificate programs in the coming terms, with focus areas including mass timber, forestry, the timber circular economy and more.

In collaboration with local and regional partners, Kayla Bordelon, Oregon State Extension regional fire specialist, secured a nearly $6 million grant for Wasco county, Oregon through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which designated a $1.5 billion investment into wildland firefighting and wildfire resilience.

College of Forestry Homecoming Tailgate Celebration is Saturday, October 19 at Hatfield Courtyard 2 hours before kickoff.

Rootstock - Helping students with your help. Join the College of Forestry and OSU Foundation this October as we raise funds to support our students and their families by providing free food and hygiene products to those in need.

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