FNR Extension News

Latest News

Jul 1, 2026
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Members of the OSU Extension Communications office (from left) Ezraelle McLachlain, Janet Donnelly, Michele Scheib, Grace Xue, Rick Banks, Jennifer Alexander and Chris Branam pose with awards at the ACE Conference in Billings, Montana.

OSU Extension communications work earns national awards

The publication “Not All Flame’s the Same” won the Gold and Outstanding Professional Skill Awards.

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Members of the OSU Extension Communications office (from left) Ezraelle McLachlain, Janet Donnelly, Michele Scheib, Grace Xue, Rick Banks, Jennifer Alexander and Chris Branam pose with awards at the ACE Conference in Billings, Montana.
Jun 1, 2026
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Participants in the IGNITE Prescribed Fire Skills Weekend form a circle for the morning briefing and welcome before breakout groups begin.

Extension provides wildfire resilience education in Josephine County

Wildfire preparedness and forest restoration education help residents take practical steps before fires occur.

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Participants in the IGNITE Prescribed Fire Skills Weekend form a circle for the morning briefing and welcome before breakout groups begin.
May 28, 2026
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A Pacific tree frog in an ephemeral pond, or wet spot. Photo by Jon Cox

The big importance of small places: microsites

Microsites are little pockets with distinctly different environmental conditions than the larger surrounding area

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A Pacific tree frog in an ephemeral pond, or wet spot. Photo by Jon Cox
May 27, 2026
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OSU Extension forester Jake Barker shows a map of the site on a stop during the Climate-Informed Forestry Tour, held in April at OSU’s Matteson Demonstration Forest in Gaston.

Forest tour helps Washington County woodland owners plan for climate change

The tour gave participants a chance to assess a forest for climate vulnerabilities

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OSU Extension forester Jake Barker shows a map of the site on a stop during the Climate-Informed Forestry Tour, held in April at OSU’s Matteson Demonstration Forest in Gaston.
May 20, 2026
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In 2025, OSU Extension joined community partners at the second Café Aquarium Multilingual Resource Fair at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport.

Multilingual fair connects coastal residents to services and safety

By reducing language and access barriers, OSU Extension and partners help ensure more residents can prepare for emergencies

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In 2025, OSU Extension joined community partners at the second Café Aquarium Multilingual Resource Fair at the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport.
May 18, 2026
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Andrew Felton, forest conservation specialist with the Tualatin Soil & Water Conservation District, talks at a guided forest tour at Chehalem Ridge Nature Park.

Partnerships improve wildfire preparedness in Washington County

These efforts reduce the likelihood and severity of future wildfire impacts, helping communities avoid costly damage and disruption

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Andrew Felton, forest conservation specialist with the Tualatin Soil & Water Conservation District, talks at a guided forest tour at Chehalem Ridge Nature Park.
May 12, 2026
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Redwood trees like this one in Curry County are being planted more frequently in Western Oregon.

OSU Extension helps woodland owners consider big trees

OSU Extension Service foresters developed Growing redwood and giant sequoia in Oregon: A resource guide for small woodland owners

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Redwood trees like this one in Curry County are being planted more frequently in Western Oregon.
May 7, 2026
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GO Day 2025 display and instructor

Oregon State University to host Get Outdoors Day on May 30 at Peavy Arboretum in the McDonald-Dunn Research Forest

The 10th annual National Get Outdoors Day goes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 30

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GO Day 2025 display and instructor
May 6, 2026
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Students examine a large tree cross-section during an activity at the Clatsop Sixth Grade Forestry Tour.

Clatsop students explore forestry careers outdoors

The program strengthens outdoor education and supports workforce development

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Students examine a large tree cross-section during an activity at the Clatsop Sixth Grade Forestry Tour.
Apr 24, 2026
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Elliot Drake-Maurer (standing) leads the workshop attendees through an activity at the "Wayfinding: Exploring Jobs, Employability, and Career Education in the Outdoors" workshop in Junction City.

Workshop helps participants connect students to outdoor careers

Statewide OSU Extension programs and partner organizations work together to make career exploration more accessible

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Elliot Drake-Maurer (standing) leads the workshop attendees through an activity at the "Wayfinding: Exploring Jobs, Employability, and Career Education in the Outdoors" workshop in Junction City.