Oregon’s Forests: Their Benefits and Relationships to Each Other

7:15 am

Registration and Coffee

8:15 am

Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:30 am
Ballroom

Keynote Address
John Gordon, National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry
Oregon’s Dynamic Forests: opportunities to add value and to meet the challenges of a global world  (PDF, 1.8 Mb)
Oregon’s forests embody multiple natural, commercial, and spiritual values. Viewed in the context of global trends, they are important beyond their physical extent for nature protection, wood production, carbon sequestration and many additional values and uses. If they are managed in an integrated way – with appropriate boundary crossing combined with effective and willing private, state, and federal cooperation – they can remain the core of Oregon life and contribute to global health and prosperity. If challenges to them, such as urbanization, fragmented management, and knowledge deficits are not met, their value to all will degrade.

9:00 am Ballroom

Keynote Address
Gail Kimbell, Chief of the U.S. Forest Service
Oregon’s National Forests: Challenges of the 21st Century (speech notes; PDF, 53 k)
Oregonians get many benefits from their national forests, including clean water, habitat for wildlife, wood and food, and opportunities for outdoor recreation. To protect the capacity of ecosystems on national forest land to deliver such goods and services, the U.S. Forest Service focuses on restoring fire-adapted ecosystems, controlling invasive species, and managing outdoor recreation. As we look to the century ahead, however, three longer-term issues cut across our conservation work, threatening forested ecosystems: climate change, water, and the connection of people to nature, especially kids. Through forestry, we can help address climate change and sustain water supplies, and we can also help future generations embrace the cause of conservation.

9:30 am Ballroom

Marvin Brown, Oregon State Forester
Oregon State Forests (PDF, 7.2 Mb)
This presentation will provide an overview of Forestry Program for Oregon and discuss Oregon’s forest “estates” – Oregon’s vision for different forest types and management emphases, their benefits, and relationships to each other. 

10:00 am

Morning Break (30 min)

10:30 am
Ballroom

Plenary Session: Statewide Overview of Oregon Forests

Mike Barnes, Oregon Small Woodland Association
Family Forests in Oregon (PDF, 1.5 Mb)
From the perspective of the president of Oregon Small Woodlands Association, this presentation will be an overview of family forestlands in Oregon and small woodlands issues.

Matt Donegan, Forest Capital Partners
Wood Production Forestlands in Oregon (PDF, 341 k)
What are the economic tipping points and consequences of changing land management? This presentation is an overview of wood production forestlands in Oregon – ownership, management, markets, contributions to economy, wildlife habitat, ecosystem services, etc.

Cal Mukumoto, Intertribal Timber Council
Tribal Forestlands in Oregon (PDF, 2.5 Mb)
This presentation will provide an overview of Tribal forestlands in Oregon – where they are, their size, forest types, management goals, and forest health conditions – and how Tribes manage their forests for multiple goals and for the long-term. 

Connie Best, Pacific Forest Trust
NGOs as Forestland Owners and Managers (PDF, 2.2 Mb)
Increasingly non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are purchasing and managing forestlands in Oregon and across the US. As with other ownership types, NGO’s have varying motivations, goals and methods underlying their forest management. What roles might NGOs be playing in Oregon’s landscape of diverse owners, that are different from public agencies or private commercial owners?  

12:00 pm
Ballroom

Lunch and Keynote
Gary Hartshorn, World Forestry Center
Southern Hemisphere Plantation Forestry: Opportunities and/or Threats? (PDF, 2.2 Mb)
The rise of intensively managed, short rotation plantation forestry in countries such as New Zealand and Chile has significantly altered global markets for wood products.  Dr. Hartshorn will share his extensive knowledge and informed perspectives about this important trend.

Current Trends and Forces of Change in
Oregon’s Forests

1:30 pm

Concurrent Session 1: Understanding Current Trends and Context

Room 115A

 Session 1A:  Oregon Forests and Demographic Changes/Land Conversion
Presentation Files (PDF): Gary Lettman (2.2 Mb); Jeff Kline (540 k); Ralph Alig (900 k)
Panelists will report on latest land-use change research and data for Oregon – including “tipping points” that have caused or are causing forestland to change hands and management emphasis. Moderator: John Poppino, Oregon Small Woodlands Association. Panelists: Ralph Alig, USFS PNW Research Station; Jeff Kline, USFS PNW Research Station; Gary Lettman, Oregon Department of Forestry; Ara Erickson, University of Washington, College of Forest    Resources Rural Technology Initiative
                   

Room 114

Session 1B:  Public and Social Benefits of Oregon’s Private and Public Forests
Presentation Files (PDF): Michael Hibbard (156 k); Kreg Lindberg (229 k); John Bliss (2.0 Mb); Linda Christian (234 k)
This session will articulate linkages among forests and Oregon’s “quality of life”. What are the public and social benefits of forests? What are they worth? Who benefits? Who pays for them? Moderator: Randy Rosenberger, OSU Forest Resources. Panelists: Michael Hibbard, UO Institute for Policy Research & Innovation; Kreg Lindberg, OSU Forest Resources; John Bliss, OSU Forest Resources; Linda Christian, Bureau of Land Management

Room 111

Session 1C:  Sustaining Forest Values in Managed Landscapes
Presentation Files (PDF): John Tappeiner (1.5 Mb); Rick Brown (243 k)
Millions of acres of Oregon forestlands are already on “managed” trajectories as a result of past human interventions, such as fire exclusion, timber harvesting and replanting. Panelists will address when, where, and whether management activities make sense to promote forest health, fire protection, and wildlife habitat. Moderator:  Gary Larsen, Mt. Hood National Forest. Panelists:  Rick Brown, Defenders of Wildlife; Scott Fitzwilliams, Willamette National Forest; John Tappeiner, OSU Forest Resources (Emeritus); David Morman, Oregon Department of Forestry

2:45 pm

Afternoon Break (30 min)

3:15 pm

Concurrent Session 2: Oregon Forests and Global Change

Room 115A

 Session 2A: Climate Change and Oregon’s Forests: Ecological and Social Implications
Presentation File (PDF): Ron Neilson (2.2 Mb)
This session’s panelists will discuss how climate change will affect Oregon forests ecologically and the potential secondary ecological and social consequences of these effects. Moderator: Andrew Yost, Oregon Department of Forestry. Panelists: Ron Neilson, Pacific Northwest Research Station; Mark Harmon, OSU College of Forestry; Denise Lach, OSU Department of Sociology; Trista Patterson, USFS PNW Research Sitka Lab

Room 114

Session 2B:  Future of Fossil Fuels, Forest Biomass Potential & Pitfalls
Presentation File (PDF): Mark Kendall (520 k)
Panelists will share a range of perspectives on current forest management and the relationships between forest biomass, forest health and Oregon’s energy goals. The session will explore the energy implications of how Oregon’s forests are managed in the future, biomass resources that currently go untapped, and will address potential concerns and cautions about increasing forest biomass utilization. Moderator: Mark Kendall, Oregon Department of Energy. Panelists: Tim Hermach, Native Forest Council; Doug Heiken, Oregon Wild; Jacob Justen, Victory Timber; David Schmidt, Upstream 21

Room 111

Session 2C:  Oregon Wood Production Forestlands and Global Markets
Presentation Files (PDF): Darius Adams (181 k); John Perez-Garcia (523 k); Kevin Godbout (1 Mb)
Panelists will discuss the causes and consequences of globalization of wood markets, globalization of capital, financial incentives, pressures/trends driving ownership change and forest management decisions, disinvestment in forests, carbon budgeting and offsets, and the negative externalities of importing wood. Moderator: Greg Corbin, Stoel Rives LLP. Panelists: Darius Adams, OSU Department of Forest Resources; John Perez-Garcia, University of WA Forest Resources; Kevin Godbout, Weyerhauser

4:30 pm
Ballroom

Closing Plenary:
Richard Devlin, Oregon Senate Majority Leader
Working with All Partners for Better Forest Management
A discussion on the importance of bringing all vested parties involved in forest management together. Discussion will include why it is important to protect both the environment and the economy.

5:00 pm
Lobby

Reception
Sponsored by Stoel Rives LLP

Strategies for Sustaining Oregon’s Forests

7:30 am

Coffee & Continental Breakfast

8:30 am

Welcome and Opening Remarks

8:45 am
Ballroom

Keynote Address
Laurie Wayburn, Pacific Forest Trust
Working Forests, Winning Climate: The Role of Forests in Climate Change (PDF, 1.4 Mb)
The United States is in the midst of a new decline in forests, converting about 1.5 million acres each year to development, and contributing to rising CO2 emissions. By conserving and restoring our lands, we can instead reduce emissions and remove substantial amounts of CO2 from the atmosphere. In particular, by managing our forests for carbon benefits we can cool our climate while also providing sustainable wood, clean water, and wildlife habitat. Oregon and the West have a crucial role to play in this regard. This presentation will discuss the background and progress on incorporating forests into climate change efforts across the country.

9:30 am
Ballroom

Keynote Address
Steve Hobbs, OSU College of Forestry, Oregon Board of Forestry
Expectations for Federal Forestlands in Oregon: Obstacles, Solutions, and Sustainability
This presentation will summarize the work being done by the Oregon Board of Forestry's Federal Forestland Advisory Committee and provide personal views on how to overcome obstacles to achieving sustainability on federal forestlands to better serve Oregonians.

10:00 am

Morning Break (30 min)

10:30 am

Concurrent Session 3: Strategies for Sustaining Oregon’s Forests (80 min)

Room 115A

 Session 3A:  Local Forestry and Forest Products in the Age of Globalization
Presentation Files (PDF): Ray Jones (120 k), Chad Davis (500 k), Clint Bentz (290 k), Steve Zika (366 k)
What is needed to sustain Oregon wood products and productive forests in global markets?  Panelists will discuss impacts of regulatory uncertainty, supplies of affordable timber, stability of the commercial timber base, potential options for helping Oregon’s timber industry adapt to forces of globalization, and the “cost of doing business” inequalities. Panelist will also discuss the potential to develop/expand local and regional markets for Oregon-grown wood and wood products and product differentiation strategies such as certification.  Moderator: Gary Springer, Starker Forests. Panelists: Ray Jones, Roseburg Forest Products; Steve Zika, Hampton Affiliates; Chad Davis, Sustainable Northwest; Clint Bentz, Boldt Carlisle & Smith LLC.

Room 114

Session 3B:  Ecosystem Service Marketing
Presentation Files (PDF): Gina LaRocco (880 k), Brent Davies (1.35 Mb), Bobby Cochran (1.6 Mb), Kevin Halsey (870 k)
What is going on in the state of Oregon with respect to ecosystem services and how can Oregon become an ecosystem services leader? This session will provide an overview of ecosystem services (e.g. water quality, fish and wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, etc.), methods to value ecosystem services, current programs that pay landowners for ecosystem services, as well as potential options for bundling these payments, and policy issues associated with the concept of ecosystem services. Moderator: Cameron Smith, Office of the Governor. Panelists: Gina LaRocco, Defenders of Wildlife; Brent Davies, Ecotrust; Bobby Cochran, Clean Water Services; Kevin Halsey, Parametrix.

Room 111

Session 3C:  Conserving Forestlands with Private and Public Capital
Presentation Files (PDF): Tom Tuchmann (160 k), Brad Chalfant (2.9 Mb), Geoff Roach (1.8 Mb)
Panelists will discuss strategies to combine private and public capital in innovative ways to fund forest acquisition and conservation. What are potential policy options to make this kind of effort more feasible?  What are the opportunities in Oregon? 
Moderator:  Michael Cloughesy, Oregon Forest Resources Institute. Panelists:  Tom Tuchmann, US Forest Capital LLC; Brad Chalfant, Deschutes Basin Land Trust; Geoff Roach, Trust for Public Lands.

12:00 pm
Ballroom

Lunch and Keynote
Mike Houck, Urban Greenspaces Institute, Portland
Connecting Green:  Integrating the Built and Natural Environments in the Portland-Vancouver Metropolitan Region
(PDF, 9.7 Mb)
Connecting Green envisions an exceptional, multi-jurisdictional, interconnected system of neighborhood, community, and regional parks, natural areas, trails, open spaces, and recreation opportunities throughout the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan region. This region-wide system would drive the region's economy and tourist trade, preserve significant natural areas, enhance air and water quality, promote health and fitness, connect the region's communities with trails and greenways, provide a sense of place, and support an ecologically sustainable metropolitan area. Forests, from the urban forest canopy to rural Tillamook, to Mt. Hood and Gifford Pinchot National Forest are an essential element of this vision for a comprehensive urban and rural, ecosystem-based system of parks, trails, and natural areas.

Innovating to Sustain Oregon’s Forests  
(Updates from the Frontlines)

1:30 pm
Ballroom

Plenary Session: Updates from the Frontlines

Jon Souder, Executive Director Coos Watershed Association
Oregon’s Experiment in Watershed Restoration: One Watershed Council’s Experience (PDF, 2.4 Mb)
With creation of the Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds in 1997, and passage of Measure 66 in 1988, Oregon embarked on a unique public, private, and community experiment in watershed restoration.  Now 10+ years later, on-the-ground results are inspiring watershed protection groups as far away as Europe to emulate Oregon’s approach. One watershed council will share how they are partnering with private forest industries to provide public forest values; fostering cooperation among landowners to resolve “tragedy of the commons” in forest roads; and providing credible, scientific project effectiveness monitoring. The challenge will be to sustain Oregon’s watershed councils in the future.

Nils Christofferson, Wallowa Resources
An Integrated Wood Utilization Center to Improve Forest Health and Create Local Jobs
This presentation will present a progress report on Wallowa County Integrated Wood Utilization Center, highlighting its successes to-date and the challenges that remain. 

Denise Pranger, NW Natural Resource Group
Marketing Multiple Forest Benefits for Owners of Small Forestlands
The NW Natural Resources Group (NNRG) is working to support small forest landowners in a regional environment that is asking for multiple benefits from forest lands (wood products, carbon sequestration, water quality, habitat, scenic vistas, etc). This presentation will discuss how NNRG is going about this work and will discuss developing and applying methods for small forestland owners to distinguish themselves in local and regional market places and keep their lands forested.

Gary Larsen, Mt. Hood National Forest
National Forests and Citizen Engagement in the 21st Century (PDF, 4.0 Mb)
This presentation will provide perspectives on the role of federal forest administrators in citizen engagement, and experiences from Mt. Hood National Forest forest planning, positive outcomes of the public process, and finding common ground as we look ahead.

3:15 pm
Ballroom

Closing Comments: Moving Beyond the Crossroads of the Day: Can We Change the Historic Forest Experience of the Past 20 Years?
Hal Salwasser, OSU College of Forestry
Securing/realizing promise of future in the context of rapid change. Seize the day.

Ballroom

Conference Closing

Snack and beverages served for departing participants