The new Oregon Forest Facts 2021-22 Edition is here

The Oregon Forest Resources Institute recently released a newly updated edition of Oregon Forest Facts. The pocket-sized booklet packed full of the latest data and statistics on Oregon’s forests and forest-based economy is one of our most popular publications. We began producing this biennial favorite in 2009, and this is our seventh edition. We think it keeps getting better and better.

There are two easy ways for you to catch up on the latest Oregon forest statistics, including information on forest ownership, timber harvest levels, forest-based employment, wildfire trends and much more. You can review or order the new Oregon Forest Facts 2021-22 Edition, or check out the newly updated OregonForestsFacts.org. Both have the most up-to-date data about Oregon’s forests.

Here are some examples of the “forest facts” found in the Oregon Forest Facts 2021-22 Edition and on OregonForestFacts.org:

 

·         Timber harvest levels in Oregon have remained relatively stable over the past 20 years. Currently, Oregon annual timber harvest averages around 3.8 billion board feet.

 

·         About one-third of Oregon’s forests are privately managed, and these lands produce three-quarters of the state’s timber harvest. 

 

·         Oregon is the number-one state in the country for softwood lumber production, plywood production and the total number of engineered wood product manufacturing facilities.  

 

·         Oregon’s forests support more than 61,000 jobs, from scientists to nursery managers to mill workers. That’s 3% of Oregon’s total workforce. That number climbs to 10% in rural Oregon counties.

 

·         Wages for forest-related jobs in rural Oregon counties are higher than the average county wages.

 

·         The 2020 fire season in Oregon burned more than 1.3 million acres, including the roughly 1 million acres that burned during last year’s Labor Day fires. That’s a 234% increase above the average fire season over the last 10 years.

 

To learn more about Oregon’s forests, download or order a copy of the new Oregon Forest Facts 2021-22 Edition or visit OregonForestsFacts.org.

For the forest,

Mike Cloughesy

Director of Forestry