Given their varying size, terrain and location, the College of Forestry does not provide public access to all its research and demonstration forests. The McDonald-Dunn forests, however, are open to the public, welcoming more than 155,000 recreational users each year. Research activity is not always visible to recreational users, but that doesn’t mean it’s not happening. This is intentional, with staff thoughtfully balancing research, demonstration, harvest, aesthetics and recreation as part of the college’s carefully managed sustainable working forest model.

Peavy Arboretum and the McDonald-Dunn forests provide safe, diverse and inclusive recreation opportunities that build forest connections and contribute to community well-being, including:

Since 1926, hundreds of research studies have been conducted across the College of Forestry’s 15,000 acres of research and demonstration forests. Researchers and educators from the College of Forestry, other colleges within OSU, other universities, agencies, non-profits and local schools use the OSU Research Forests as a living laboratory and classroom.

Students receive hands-on experience in everything from taking forest measurements, to studying aquatic plants and wildlife. The research and learning that takes place in the forests has contributed impactful solutions to everyday and real-world challenges.

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS

A foundational College of Forestry principle is that the research forests must be self-sustaining. Funds required for management of the forests are not provided by the College of Forestry, Oregon State University, the State of Oregon or by taxpayers.

Revenue must be generated through sustainable timber harvests and reinvested in the forests. Virtually all expenses underpin research opportunities, as harvest expenses, staff salaries and forest regeneration activities all contribute to the conditions required for research to occur. Other minor sources of revenue include natural gas royalties and lease income from communication towers located within some research forest tracts.

Maintaining 15,000+ acres of research and demonstration forests is a significant operational undertaking with many moving parts. This work is managed by 6.25 FTE employees, according to a forest management plan approved by the dean. Funds generated from sustainable timber harvests are reinvested in:

• Research Forest Staffing, Equipment and Supplies - Salaries and benefits; research equipment and supplies.
• Forest Regeneration, Restoration and Conservation - Seed acquisition; growing and planting seedlings; site prep; browse protection; regeneration surveys; owl, stream and fish surveys; project treatments; fire suppression and mastication.
• Harvest Operations - Logging and transportation costs; unit layout; tree marking and cruising.
• Recreation, Outreach and Cultural Resources - Volunteer program; supplies and equipment; trail and facility maintenance; building rental/leases; outreach and public information; surveys of cultural sites and resources.
• Forest Maintenance, Infrastructure and Administration - Roads and facilities building and maintenance; vehicles; office equipment and business services.

Each year, 10-15 student workers are employed by the research and demonstration forests. They participate in harvest and the associated road building, maintenance and replanting activities to gain experience and learn forest management best practices. Volunteers also contribute an average of 3,600+ hours annually, a critical piece in keeping the forests open to the public for recreation and outreach activities.

After forest operating expenses are covered, any remaining revenue is first contributed to the forest financial reserves, and then to research, teaching and advising. Reserves are required to cover forest operation and staffing costs for a minimum of three years, should timber harvests temporarily decrease or economic conditions result in lower revenue from timber sales. For more information, read the summary of OSU Research & Demonstration Forest net revenue for the past 10 years. 

*From 2018-2020, the College of Forestry temporarily increased timber harvest in the Blodgett Research Forest to contribute to construction costs of the Oregon Forest Science Complex.

Oregon State University is a land grant institution committed to teaching, research and outreach and engagement, with a vision to promote economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being for the people of Oregon, the nation and the world.

Providing forest access to many types of organizations for the purpose of training and education is one of many ways the College of Forestry helps achieve that mission. Many OSU groups — the Adventure Leadership Institute, Army ROTC and Navy ROTC — use the forests, as do many outside public safety agencies and organizations, including Benton County Search and Rescue, Corvallis Fire Department and Corvallis Mountain Rescue Unit.

The forests also serve as an educational backdrop for local schools, non-profits and other educational organizations that host camps, field trips and more for local youth. These organizations include: Corvallis Environmental Center, Corvallis Parks and Recreation, Corvallis and Albany-area schools, Outdoor Service Guides, Environmental Youth Leadership Institute, Youth Corvallis Composite Mountain Bike Team and countless others.