About the Cooperators
Who are they?
What services do they provide?
Who should I contact?
There are several landowner organizations, and state and federal agencies that can
provide a variety of types of assistance to help forest landowners manage their lands:
Oregon Department of Forestry - Private and Community Forests
Local stewardship foresters
are available to provide technical and financial assistance to
individual forest landowners. They also assist landowners in developing forest
management plans. They work closely with other organizations and agencies that
provide assistance with a goal of providing landowners the necessary incentives
to enable them to forward their ownership objectives and improve the state’s
natural resources.
Oregon State University Extension Forestry
OSU Extension Forestry has local forestry agents[1].gif)
that provide a wide variety of educational programs. Their goal is to improve Oregonian's
knowledge of forest resources and their options for expanding benefits from these resources.
Their educational programs assist forest owners, managers, processors, and users
in understanding small woodland production and management and use of all
forestlands. Priority subjects are reforestation, growth, management,
harvesting, processing and use of wood, protection of soil and water, and other
multiple uses and values. Extension Foresters coordinate the Master Woodland
Manager program. MWM are trained volunteers available to work with individual
landowners and organizations in promoting sound forest management.
The
Oregon
Forest Industry Directory facilitates the establishment
of business connections between the broad array of
interests in Oregon's forestry sector. The Directory serves a
number of purposes including:
- Helping woodland owners find contact
information for log buyers, non-timber forest product buyers,
and forestry consultants & contractors;
- Assisting the primary manufacturing industry (sawmills,
plywood mills, and chipping contractors) to find
sources of logs and buyers for their products;
- Helping secondary/ value-added firms (moulding,
millwork, furniture and cabinet makers) find sources of
lumber, panel products, and other raw materials;
- Enabling entrepreneurs and architects to
find the suppliers and partners they need to bring a product/
project to fruition; and
- Providing the general public with
information on local producers of custom cabinets, rustic
furniture, boughs for wreaths, and much more.
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Oregon Small Woodlands Association (OSWA)
The mission of OSWA is to preserve the rights and promote the responsibilities of woodland
ownership by educating woodland owners, policy makers, and the public about non-industrial
private forestland issues. The association with its county chapters encourages understanding
and use of best management practices. It represents small woodland owners before legislative
and administrative bodies.
Oregon Tree Farm System
The Oregon Tree Farm System is a volunteer organization with over 50 years of experience in promoting sound
forest management. Their primary focus is in assisting landowners develop management plans,
and overseeing an annual recognition program for landowners whose properties exemplify a
forest stewardship ethic. Visit the
American Tree Farm System website to learn more.
Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF)
To educate and assist landowners in good forest stewardship of their lands. ACF tracks
legislation directly affecting private forestry. ACF members educate and increase the
awareness of the public, legislators, and others on issues sensitive to private landowners
and their ability to practice good forest management. The association cooperates and works
with federal and state governments to protect private property rights.
U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
There are three federal agricultural department agencies that are involved in providing
landowner incentives. They are:
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Forest Service
Works in partnership with the Oregon Department of Forestry to provide technical and
financial assistance, encouraging landowners to practice good land stewardship and quality
management in meeting their specific objectives.
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Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
Works with individual landowners and local conservation districts to assist landowners
develop and implement conservation plans. NRCS administers a number of financial assistance
programs.
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Farm Service Agency (FSA)
Works in partnership with the other USDA agencies, and state agencies in providing financial
assistance programs. NRCS and FSA have local offices in most counties co-located in federal
service centers along with Soil and Water Conservation Districts.
Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD)
There are 45 SWCDs in Oregon that work to promote natural resource conservation. They
historically have focused on production agriculture, but with the development of local
watershed councils and the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds, they are taking a more
total watershed approach to resource conservation. The state’s efforts to restore fish
habitat and improve water quality have resulted in additional funding to local districts
allowing them to increase landowners technical assistance.
Watershed Councils
Watershed councils are local volunteer organizations being formed to assist all those
living in a watershed develop a better understanding of the conditions of their watershed’s
natural resources, and to develop a set of priorities for improving them. They also develop
educational programs and coordinate resource improvement projects across all classes of
land ownerships.
Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI)
A outreach organization that tells the public about the region's rich forests. OFRI
communicates how forests can be managed to sustain human communities and natural resources.
The institute helps to ensure a broad-based understanding of the relationship between the
global environment, science-based forestry, and enlightened wood products manufacturing.
OFRI increases collaboration among all stakeholders concerning forest management decisions
through public and landowner education in sound forest practices.
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW)
Agency biologists work with others providing assistance and are often available to assist
individual landowners better understand how to support wildlife and fishery on their
property. In addition to providing technical assistance, they also can assist in securing
financial assistance for habitat improvement projects.
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