Reforestation is Oregon law
Reforestation is the key to ensure that future generations enjoy a full range of forest values...
Protecting water quality and fish habitat
Much of Oregon’s municipal water originates in forested watersheds, including those managed for wood production...
Protecting wildlife habitat
Openings have always occurred in the forest. Historically they were created by wind or fire, and many animal species...
Oregon's timber harvest regulations
In Oregon, private forest landowners, loggers and timber companies harvest trees in a variety of ways, but all must...
Thoughtfully constructed roads
Forest roads are essential for getting timber to the mill and for fighting wildfire.
Why are herbicides used in Oregon's forests?
Oregon is one of the best tree-growing regions in the world, but even our fast-growing, native species such as...
Reducing the risk of landslides
Sustained wet weather on steep slopes can make soils unstable, causing a landslide. In remote areas, the impacts of landslides are minimal, but when they occur near homes and roads, the results can be devastating. On one hand, landslides are a natural...
Keeping Drinking Water Safe
Summary report of an extensive review of forest watershed science and forest practices.
Trees to Tap: Findings and Recommendations
This PDF of the Trees to Tap findings and recommendations chapter summarizes the results of a scientific literature...
Trees to Tap: Study Summary
A one-page summary of the Trees to Tap research project as presented in the Keeping Drinking Water Safe report
Forest Fact
Forest landowners, together with the state of Oregon, have voluntarily restored fish habitat on more than 7,500 miles of streams in the last 20 years.
Facts about Oregon’s forests
Every two years, the Oregon Forest Resources Institute compiles the latest data on Oregon’s forests into a detailed...
Forest Fact Break: Wood Products
This 90-second animated video looks at wood products. We use trees for all kinds of daily items. Some are pretty...
Forest Fact
What has wood in it? You’d be surprised: toothpaste, crayons, ice cream, artificial bones and more!
Fact Sheet: Drinking Water
This one-page fact sheet explores the importance of a healthy forest to our municipal water supply. Part of OFRI’s...
The Oregon Way: Forests and Fish
Oregon’s unique, steady approach to preserving and improving habitat in forest streams is paying off for species such...
Protecting water quality and fish habitat
Much of Oregon’s municipal water originates in forested watersheds, including those managed for wood production...
A Day in the Woods: Drinking Water Protection
Join Mike Cloughesy and Nicole Strong as they describe how forest operators ...
Forest Fact
There are 365 million trillion gallons of water on Earth. Of that, less than 3% is fresh water. And of that fresh water, only a tiny fraction is available for us to drink.
Carbon in Oregon's Managed Forests: Summary Report
This special report synthesizes the latest science on carbon sequestration and storage in Oregon’s working forests.
Carbon in Oregon’s Managed Forests – Science Review
Carbon in Oregon's Managed Forests - full science report
Where's all the Carbon?
This classroom poster illustrates the role of forests and wood products in the carbon cycle. The poster shows the...
Photosynthesis in the forest
Photosynthesis is a natural process by which trees and plants use energy from the sun and carbon dioxide from the air to...
Forest Fact
Because wood stores carbon, the extensive use of mass timber products to construct the eight-story Carbon12 condominium building in Portland, Ore. will offset 577 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from going into the atmosphere.
When is clearcutting the right choice?
A clearcut is an area of forestland where most of the standing trees are logged at the same time and a few trees...
Balancing competing objectives on public forests
On some public forests in Oregon, forest managers are using a timber harvest method called variable-retention harvest...
Thinning for forest health
An acre of land can only grow so many trees. One acre of fertile forestland may be able to sustain 500 small trees...
Forest Harvest Methods: Restoration Thinning
Without regular fires, Oregon’s dry east-side forests have grown much thicker. The unnaturally dense forests that...
Forest Harvest Methods: Variable-Retention Harvest
Variable-retention harvesting is being used by the Bureau of Land Management in southwestern Oregon to find a balance...
Forest Harvest Methods: Clearcutting
Clearcutting is a timber harvesting practice where most of the trees in a given area are harvested at the same time...
Forest Fact
Oregon forest landowners typically plant three trees for every tree harvested.
Know your forests
Oregon is home to many different types of forests, with varying species of trees, plants and wildlife...
Sustainable forest management is key
The World Commission on Environment and Development defines sustainable development as “development that meets the...
About the Oregon Forest Resources Institute
In 1991, the Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) to support and enhance Oregon’s forest products industry...
Forest Fact
Total forestland in Oregon – both publicly and privately owned – has held steady at about 30 million acres for more than 60 years.
Who owns the forests?
If you said that Oregon's forests belong to everyone, you‘d be 64 percent right. The general public owns most of Oregon‘s forests, which are held by the federal government or the state of Oregon.
Trees of Oregon’s forests
Traveling across the state, you would soon discover that Oregon is home to a wide range of trees. There are 30 native.
Reforestation is Oregon law
Reforestation is the key to ensure that future generations enjoy a full range of forest values...
Wildlife of Oregon’s forests
Oregon’s forests are home to an array of wildlife. This interactive guide provides a snapshot of the variety of...
Fact Sheet: Photosynthesis
This one-page fact sheet explains how trees and plants use sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to create oxygen and...
Photosynthesis in the forest
Photosynthesis is a natural process by which trees and plants use energy from the sun and carbon dioxide from the air to...
Into the Forest: Student Workbook
Why should you care about Oregon’s forests? Into the Forest, OFRI’s lively and colorful book on forestry for fifth...
Forest Fact Break: Photosynthesis
This 90-second animated video explains how photosynthesis works and why our forests are such an important part of...
Forest Fact
The tallest wooden structure on Earth, at 379 feet, is a giant sequoia known as Hyperion.
Oregon Forest Facts updated for 2025-26
May 14, 2025This pocket-sized booklet serves as a detailed reference guide to Oregon’s forests and forest-based economy, including maps, graphs, statistics and more.
Oregon Envirothon tests students’ science skills
May 14, 2025A team of students calling themselves “The Rogue Pack” from Logos Public Charter School in Medford won the Oregon Envirothon for the fourth year in a row at the 2025 statewide competition on May 2 at The Oregon Garden in Silverton.
Signs highlight Oregon’s Christmas tree industry
November 26, 2024New interpretive signs installed near the Oregon Forest Resources Institute’s Christmas tree demonstration plot at The Oregon Garden will help visitors to the Silverton attraction learn about Oregon’s Christmas tree industry.
Report focuses on sustainable wood sourcing
October 29, 2024A new special report from the Oregon Forest Resources Institute examines what it means to manage forests responsibly, and how architects and builders can ensure that the wood used for their projects comes from sustainable sources.
Heath promoted to director of K-12 education
October 29, 2024The Oregon Forest Resources Institute has promoted Rikki Heath to director of K-12 education programs.
Medford’s Logos Public Charter School wins Oregon Envirothon for third year in a row
May 09, 2024A team of students calling themselves “The Rogue Pack” from Logos Public Charter School in Medford won the Oregon Envirothon for the third year in a row at the 2024 statewide competition on May 3 at The Oregon Garden in Silverton.
New digital edition of Illustrated Manual released
April 29, 2024The new Illustrated Manual, which includes information about the Private Forest Accord updates to the Forest Practices Act, is only available as a free digital download.
Timelapse video documents rapid tree growth
March 18, 2024Nine years ago, the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) installed timelapse cameras in a reforested area on private timberland in Oregon’s Coast Range to capture the growth of 4-year-old and 9-year-old trees that were planted in a clearcut. Footage f
Videos explain reforestation process
March 13, 2024A new three-part educational video series produced by the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) explores what it takes to reforest Oregon’s timber-producing forests.
OFRI hires forest landowner education manager
May 15, 2023Forester and silviculturist Kathryn Charlton joined the OFRI staff this month to help deliver forest landowner education programs and manage the Institute’s demonstration forest in Silverton.
Oregon Envirothon 2023 held fully in-person; Logos Public Charter School wins
May 09, 2023The 2023 Oregon Envirothon returned to a fully in-person event on May 5 at The Oregon Garden in Silverton, following two years of virtual competitions and a hybrid approach last year.
Facts about Oregon’s forests
Every two years, the Oregon Forest Resources Institute compiles the latest data on Oregon’s forests into a detailed...
Forest Fact Break: Wood Products
This 90-second animated video looks at wood products. We use trees for all kinds of daily items. Some are pretty...
Forest Fact
Oregon has been number one in softwood lumber production for more than 25 years.
About the Oregon Forest Resources Institute
In 1991, the Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) to support and enhance Oregon’s forest products industry...
News & Social
OFRI actively engages with the public, K-12 educators and forest landowners to help them better understand topics related to forests, forest management and forest products.
Video library
The Oregon Forest Resources Institute produces a wide variety of educational videos covering a range of topics related to Oregon forests, forest management and forest products.
About the Oregon Forest Resources Institute
In 1991, the Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) to support and enhance Oregon’s forest products industry...
Video library
The Oregon Forest Resources Institute produces a wide variety of educational videos covering a range of topics related to Oregon forests, forest management and forest products.
Know your forests
Oregon is home to many different types of forests, with varying species of trees, plants and wildlife...
The life of a working forest
Forest landowners and managers are hard at work every day in forests throughout the state...
Oregon’s old treasures
Old-growth forests are more complex than any other kind of forest, and they are home to a diversity of animals...
Trees of Oregon’s forests
Traveling across the state, you would soon discover that Oregon is home to a wide range of trees. There are 30 native.
Oregon Garden Natural Resources Education Program
The Oregon Garden Natural Resources Education Program provides students in fourth through sixth grades a hands-on approa
Oregon Forest Facts 2025-26
NEWThis pocket-sized booklet serves as a detailed reference guide to Oregon’s forests and forest-based economy, including maps, graphs, statistics and more.
Find Your Path: Maintenance Manager
Much of the forest sector depends on a fleet of reliable rigs. Chris Roth oversees the maintenance and repair on many...
Educating forest landowners
To encourage sustainable forestry practices on family forests, the Oregon Forest Resources Institute works with other organizations to inform and train...
No. 1 in softwood lumber
For many years, Oregon has led the nation in softwood lumber production. Softwood lumber is made with wood from...
Forest Fact
• $18 billion in output• $8 billion in gross domestic product (GDP)• 4.7 % of total state output• 3% of state employment• 3.7 % of state GDP
