A directory of field sites and ongoing forestry programs for Oregon educators and their students. 

Some forest landowners grow timber for wood products. Others focus on wildlife habitat or fire resiliency. Many try to find a balance between environmental and economic values. How and when they decide to harvest trees depends on their specific forest objectives. Learn about those objectives and the differences between harvest methods.

The Oregon Forestry Literacy Plan includes a forest education conceptual framework as well as a scope and sequence, which together offer educators guidance for developing curricula and classroom lessons related to forests. The program’s built-in flexibility makes it useful for a wide range of applications to increase forest literacy, including K-12 classroom instruction, informal education and curriculum materials on forest topics. The program includes examples of activities that relate to Oregon forests.

Oregon’s forests are among the most diverse in the world. The colorful 24” by 36” poster includes a map showing the statewide locations where the most common conifer and hardwood tree species are found, plus descriptions of ecological and climatic conditions in which they thrive. 

This illustrated publication is intended for young readers (grades K-3) and tells the story of some of the animals that live in Oregon's forests.

Oregon’s unique, steady approach to preserving and improving habitat in forest streams is paying off for species such as coho salmon, steelhead and cutthroat trout. And it has happened while the state has maintained a timber harvest that supports more than 60,000 jobs. This 16-page report looks at Oregon’s unique, three-tiered approach to protecting aquatic habitat in our forests.

The Oregon Forest Resources Institute has created an interpretive tree identification program. The signs are designed, the supporting website is active, and now the pieces are ready and free for you to use!Here’s what you’ll find in this program packet:- Actual-size, print-ready files for 15 common Oregon tree species- A QR code for 45 tree species- A mobile webpage for each tree species with a detailed description of each treeIt’s a simple and instant way to add interpretive signage to your forest, park or architectural interiors.

Updated for 2019. This colorfully illustrated publication covers the geology and ecology, major forest types, characteristics of selected trees, disturbance and change, and management of Oregon forests east of the Cascades. It is intended as a guide for forest landowners or others interested in management of east-side forests.

As the cornerstone publication for OFRI’s “Wildlife in Managed Forests” series, this booklet provides a background and context for better understanding of the role managed forests play in providing habitat for wildlife. The reader is introduced to an overview of priority actions for wildlife that can be implemented on any age or size of forest. It also provides forest landowners with suggestions for wildlife management planning goals and employs a series of case studies of Oregon landowners who have applied these techniques and goals on their lands.

This publication on the American beaver is part of OFRI’s “Wildlife in Managed Forests” series, developed for foresters, wildlife managers and landowners as well as interested parties such as conservation organizations, regulators and policymakers. Publications in the series synthesize current research findings about the habitat requirements and ecological roles of various wildlife species in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Updated in 2024.

This publication offers scientific background and solutions for managing young forests to promote songbird habitat. It is part of OFRI’s “Wildlife in Managed Forests” series, developed for foresters, wildlife managers and landowners as well as interested parties such as conservation organizations, regulators and policymakers. Publications in the series synthesize current research findings about the habitat requirements and ecological roles of various wildlife species in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

This publication addresses deer and elk population dynamics, herd productivity, nutritional needs, response to human disturbance and more. It is part of OFRI’s “Wildlife in Managed Forests” series, developed for foresters, wildlife managers and landowners as well as interested parties such as conservation organizations, regulators and policymakers. Publications in the series synthesize current research findings about the habitat requirements and ecological roles of various wildlife species in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.

This publication describes the habitat needs of various fish species, and how forest landowners and managers can create quality stream habitat. It offers case studies and clear explanations of fish passage rules. The booklet is part of OFRI’s “Wildlife in Managed Forests” series, developed for foresters, wildlife managers and landowners as well as interested parties such as conservation organizations, regulators and policymakers.

Forest Amphibians is the newest installment from OFRI’s Wildlife in Managed Forests series. This booklet provides a background and context for better understanding the role managed forests play in providing habitat for many different amphibian species. Readers are introduced to the variety of amphibians that are found in Oregon’s forests. This publication also provides forest landowners with a summary of the current scientific research on how forest amphibians are affected by forest management and offers management recommendations based on the latest scientific findings.

A two-page reference sheet explaining habitat needs and crucial nesting timelines of the Northern Spotted Owl. This sheet is currently NOT ORDERABLE, but is included in the larger publication, Wildlife in Managed Forests: Oregon Forest Practices Act Reference Series listed below.

Esta colección ilustrada de ensayos escritos en español e inglés aborda temas relacionados con los bosques de Oregon, incluyendo fauna, silvicultura y biología de los árboles. Los ensayos de una página fueron escritos por especialistas en recursos naturales y luego revisados por maestros para evaluar el contenido y la legibilidad y por científicos para verificar su exactitud. Cada ensayo incluye preguntas de comprensión de la lectura.

A companion to Explore the Forest, the Teacher’s Guide includes additional activities, lesson plans and background information to help teachers go deeper into the material included in the student publication. Created with the help of a team of outdoor educational specialists, the guide includes a list of additional resources, and it is aligned to state educational standards. 

Why are some forest fires so intense? This one-page fact sheet explores the risks, causes and potential solutions to unnaturally intense wildfires. One of a series. This item is part of the teacher sampler packet.

How are forestry and landslides related? This one-page fact sheet looks at the occurrence of landslides in differing forest age classes, and their effects on the land and streams. One of a series. 

Our forests are vulnerable to many threats. Whether it’s newer ones such as climate change and invasive species, or traditional ones such as wildfire, insects, disease, or wind and ice storms, our forests benefit from forest management to stay vibrant and healthy.