We have put our trust in OSU to responsibly manage the McDonald-Dunn research forest. It has been disheartening to see the destructive and highly biased "management" of this public forest.
It has been a common idea to view a forest from a purely monetary viewpoint, where value is measured in board feet. While that argument used to be widely accepted, both experience and learning has shown this to be an unsustainable and destructive path. It saddens me that the managers of the McDonald-Dunn seem to be clinging to such outdated ideas.
OSU needs to follow a collaborative commitment to forest planning, to prioritize ecological values, research, and education; to STOP following a "working forest model" that "actively manages" these public forests for profit.
Ann Wichmann
11/09/2022
Thank you again for the opportunity to contribute my thoughts. As I said in the listening session .... please put a moratorium on all harvesting of trees over 50-60 years old .... this old of a forest, while not pristine, is in the process of becoming a functioning ecological forest again. We humans do not understand the intricacies of communities and biodiversity, so please do not eliminate our chances of researching and documenting the attributes of a "recovering" forest. In my opinion, OSU School of Forestry has been targeting older forests for clearcutting, in an apparent rush to get them into timber rotation. And I heartily concur with those speakers who have called out the decision making boards and bodies for their lack of presence at these listening sessions! OSU School of Forestry has a real opportunity here to repair years of ignoring public input, and to become a place of humility and education rather than stubbornly pursuing the mechanics of de-forestation.
Anonymous
05/30/2023
Many comments were received during the update of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan that the areas where theforest is adjacent to residential needs to be cleared of brush and the trees thinned or limbed to help prevent the spread of a wildfire. I hope that the forest plan will include maintenance of the WUI along the edges of the forests.
Anonymous
01/12/2023
I want more races in the forest!
Anonymous
04/21/2023
I love trail running and single track and am excited about the forthcoming connections between Bald Hill and Oak Creek/Dimple/Saddle/Peavy. The more we can weave our recreation spaces together, the better! I use the trails for mountain biking, hiking, and trail unning and prefer single track. I'm very happy with trails and access currently and hope to see it continue at current levels or expand. I don't think that landowners near trail heads should have the ability to restrict access or use of these recreation areas. I'd love to see invasive species removed as much as possible, and perhaps more educational signage about native species. Thank you!
Anonymous
09/18/2022
I'm a neighbor of Mac Forest, and it has felt lately as if the College of Forestry can't see the forest for the value of the trees--as if you are interested only in a crop rather than a forest--for its ultimate health as an ecosystem. How do you see balancing those views going forward? What percentage of this plan will focus on "Net Revenue," the second focus after education, versus the ecological, cultural, and human concerns--including the impact on the planet when you cut down one of the most efficient ways to reduce greenhouse gas? I don't expect a response, but I do hope you will consider this and answer it within the management plan you eventually create.
I've also felt that the "purpose" of the deforestation of late has been somewhat disingenuous. In particular, saying the recent meadow cut is about preserving the oaks is odd because there are very few oaks in that meadow, but it does contain a pioneer orchard worth preserving.
Anonymous
01/12/2023
I would love to see more non logging road trails. I would also love to see a 50 mile race or even 100 mile race (running) in this beautiful forest.
Anonymous
11/07/2022
It is important that the public be involved in a collaborative process to manage these public forests. The college is statutorily obligated to transparency and accountability, and the public is not getting their concerns addressed. The forest belongs to all Oregonians, and as such the college needs to be accountable to the people, as the steward of the forest. The mishandling of old-growth stands has caused legitimate concerns that were to be addressed by transparency and accountability. If the public is not involved collaboratively, then concerns will likely continue to go un-addressed.
Anonymous
02/24/2023
I have been running, walking, hunting, riding and trail-building in Mac/Dunn since moving to Corvallis as faculty for OSU forty three years ago. I know the forest like my backyard, watching it grow and change over these decades. That said, I have never seen so much cutting of trees and closure of access as observed this year. It's everywhere! I understand the need to mitigate fire risk and the value of timber for support of COForestry activities, but this level of cut is beyond understanding. It grieves me to think of the impact such devastating cuts have for the animal and plant populations there, what 'hypocrisy' it reveals to others for an institution that postures conservation and social integration to its local community. SLOW DOWN!Assure us that this precious resource is carefully and completely dedicated to support of local communities and the University, not capital gains for unrelated others. The world is heating up, commercial transformation of native habitats is devastating species diversity and opening landscapes for invasion of non- native species. We must "walk our talk" with responsible harvesting, not the clear cut + 1 tree/acre I am witnessing. PS. I hope your request for feedback is sincere and taken seriously. I am angry and concerned about what I see and I sense a great deal of cynicism, my own included, that this appeal will be ignored and disregarded for its incompatibility to a foregone policy decision. Step up! Do what those who follow us 43 years from now will call far-sighted and responsible.
Anonymous
09/17/2022
Having a working forest with roads and trails nearby is a boon for residents in the area. I am grateful for that at 79 years old to have this near my home. I have hiked our trails for years, but overcoming the frailty of age has caused me to change to bike riding.
I was told ebikes are prohibited. There are class 1 ebikes, with low power pedal assistance, which gives me the ability to ride on our hills at all.
I can see why we don't want various motor cycles ripping through the countryside. However Class 1 ebikes only provide a boost to pedalling. There are other places for racers to ride. I think restricting the weight and power of electric bikes allowed on trails can still allow for multi purpose use that those of us with restricted capabilities require to enjoy your roads and trails.
Thank you for your consideration.
Anonymous
01/12/2023
More single track trails!
Anonymous
02/24/2023
I hope that any plans for MacDonald Dunn will include complete protection of old growth, including individual old trees. Also, no logging or other altering of the forest should be allowed that would adversely affect habitat for rare, threatened or endangered plants or animals. Non-native invasives should be removed, and MacDonald and Dunn should be managed to increase biodiversity and acreage of native areas.
Anonymous
09/15/2022
As an OSU College of Forestry alumni, 30 year practicing forester and manager of nearly fifty foresters, I believe that the McDonald Dunn forest presents a unique opportunity for students and professionals to see all aspects of Forestry - to include active management and timber harvesting. OSU foresters are better prepared for any career path that they embark, because of the exposure that they get at the college and near by resources
Anonymous
01/12/2023
I love the McDonald and the Dunn forests and recreate in them regularly. I’ve volunteered with both OSU and Team Dirt in building trails, and would love to see the trail network grow, especially in the Dunn, although I wouldn’t mind more trails in the Mac as well. Thank you for taking our input.
Anonymous
02/24/2023
I was quite surprised to learn by reading through the presentations and meeting summaries of the SAC and FPC (FPC meeting #5 summary) that a decision has apparently been made to carve off any of the recreational use components of the management plan into a separate "Visitor Use Plan". It would appear that the VUP will be developed AFTER the Forest Management Plan. This is very different than what has been conveyed in the community listening sessions, and appears to substantially devalue recreational use of the forest. It is also somewhat surprising that a change this large has not been communicated openly. There is no mention of a separate plan on the planning process web page, and you need to dig deep into the meeting summary materials to find it. Not very transparent or trust inspiring.
Anonymous
01/12/2023
McDonald Forest has such a wonderful system of trails. This is what makes Corvallis great. So many people use the trails and appreciate them. Thank you for making it accessible even though parking is often too limited, especially at Oak Creek.
Anonymous
11/06/2022
I am deeply concerned about the approach the college of forestry is taking in management of the macdonald dunn Forest. This is a public resource that benefits and affects all of us but instead is being treated and managed like a privately owned forprofit tree plantation. We already have plenty of those around here degrading air and water quality and accelerating climate change. This publicly owned forest needs to be treated as such and the OSU COF needs to stop ignoring any opinion that didn't meet with their agenda of resource extraction. Their most recent efforts to develop a forest management plan only pays lip service to community input and it's exactly the kind of propaganda excercise the future discredits the university
Anonymous
10/25/2024
The new e-bikes are a great form of transportation. I am a bicycle rider and I look forward to owning an e-bike and using it around town in Corvallis. However, I have concerns about sharing our forest roads and trails with motorized vehicles. I know that the idea is that e-bikes are assisted with effort from the rider, but in practice the assistance level can be adjusted by the rider and many e-bikes can be ridden with little physical effort. Allowing e-bikes is allowing motorcycles, which seems to be a step backwards in recreation, not forwards. The classification of e-bikes by top speed, pedal assist levels, power output, battery size, etcetera, means little in practice. E-bikes are easily modified and there is little enforcement of classification standards. Over the past five years or so I have seen dozens of e-bikes on trails and roads in McDonald forest. I sometimes speak to the riders, and they are usually aware that they are breaking the standing rule against e-bikes. The mountain e-bikers extol the ability to ""session"", meaning make repeated runs up and down the trails. And the ability to get farther away from the trailheads with less effort, opening up those more remote areas offering solitude and exploration, which used to require too much time and effort to reach. They are all having great fun. It isn't just e-bikes. I've seen powered stand-on-top mono-wheels, and groups of full-on electric trail-bikes (no pedals). Of course once ""pedal-assisted"" e-bikes are allowed, electric tricycles will be allowed, and electric quadcycles, (yes these are all available in ""pedal-assist"" form), because we can't discriminate against more wheels, can we? Now if only we could fit our Teslas around the barriers...
Anonymous
01/12/2023
I would absolutely love more trails!!!!More trails that allow mtb bikes would be amazing! Maybe extend no secret or something? More trails!!!
Anonymous
11/06/2022
I am a long-term user of the trails in Macdonald and Dunn forests. I am also a past member of the COF Research Forests advisory committee.
First of all, I am grateful to have access to COF trails, and I appreciate the continuing trail maintenance supported by the COF. I value both the exposure to nature and the way the trails brings together a variety of folks in our community.
I accept that the COF lands are working forests, which includes tree cutting. However, I urge the COF to continue to identify and protect trees and stands of particular ecological value.
I have enjoyed the educational components of some trails, particularly those around Peavy Arboretum. A particular favorite is the new wordless signage along the Forest Discovery Trail; having images and no words is a clever way to prompt observation and novel thinking. I believe more educational material would be welcomed by Forest visitors. Perhaps kiosks could include signs that explain the purpose of management and research projects. Another educational opportunity is creating online trail guides that point out interesting ecological and historical aspects of the Forests.
As for sound forest management, I trust the COF to balance the various needs to accommodate recreation in the face of wildfire risk and climate change. I believe the community will support your decisions if process and conclusions are presented clearly and fairly.
Anonymous
02/24/2023
Thank you for the recreational use of the forest it's value to our community health and livability is beyond measure!The new trails being developed is awesome! I'd love to see and help with a lower dimple hill trail connecting oak creek and lower Dan's. Thank you again!
Anonymous
10/23/2024
Hello! Thanks so much for the opportunity to weigh in on the use of e-bikes in the OSU Forest. I’m a strong supporter of lifting restrictions on the use of e-bikes on gravel roads in the forest. E-bikes are a great form of outdoor excercise, especially for seniors or other recreationists that are no longer willing or able to do more strenuous forest activities like trail running or mountain biking. By and large this population is not comprised of speed-racers that will be tearing up the roads, and threatening hikers and forest vehicles with daredevil antics. They are out to enjoy nature, and stay healthy, in a way that respects other forest users and the natural habitats they so much appreciate. There are over 16,000 senior citizens in Benton County! (2024 data). Restricting e-bikes on gravel roads in the OSU forest removes access to one of the best and most popular ways seniors can recreate in our community. Please help keep our senior population thriving by doing away with the prohibition of e-bikes on the forest’s gravel roads. Thank you!
Anonymous
01/12/2023
Please keep a strong emphasis on recreation in the new management plan for the research forests. I moved to Corvallis 20 years ago and have enjoyed every trail and road out there. In the last 7 years I have helped volunteer at some of the running events and trail building days. I would love to see more trails get incorporated as the years go on. I think Matt McPharlin is doing a fantastic job and would love to see him be able to keep at it. I'm so thankful to have this amazing resource in my town. If it were not for the recreational opportunities in the Mac/Dunn, I would have moved away years ago. Thank you.
Anonymous
02/24/2023
I was at both of the community listening sessions, and was surprised to read the "No e-bikes due to speed and safety concerns" bullet point in the summary of the second listening session (under recreation). That does not at all reflect the sentiment in favor of vs opposed to e-bike access in the forest, which was, to my surprise, extensive and all positive save for the comment raised by the one person whose comment is recorded. Of course there was nothing cited to suggest that "speed and safety concerns" were valid, and another audience member gently suggested that the commenter consider not wearing their earbuds in the forest.
Anonymous
10/22/2024
I live very close to mac forest. I have a fat tire eBike that I ride all over town and also through the bald hill area. I observe your guidelines and have never ridden my ebike in mac forest. But for decades my son and I have ridden our mountain bikes all over mac. We love the Forest! Actually mostly I hike there. But I would love to ride my ebike through mac, even if you told me to stay on the roads, and off the trails. I could take the road all the way up to dimple hill! Please allow eBike use in mac forest! Surely they are closer to mtn. Bikes than to your trucks that go through there for governance and maintenance. I know it is a research forest and revenue generator. But when the state granted OSU governance of the mac, it was partly due to the proximity to residences, and recreational use must be anticipated as part of the governance policy. Thanks for the chance to provide input.
Thank you again for the opportunity to contribute my thoughts. As I said in the listening session .... please put a moratorium on all harvesting of trees over 50-60 years old .... this old of a forest, while not pristine, is in the process of becoming a functioning ecological forest again. We humans do not understand the intricacies of communities and biodiversity, so please do not eliminate our chances of researching and documenting the attributes of a "recovering" forest. In my opinion, OSU School of Forestry has been targeting older forests for clearcutting, in an apparent rush to get them into timber rotation. And I heartily concur with those speakers who have called out the decision making boards and bodies for their lack of presence at these listening sessions! OSU School of Forestry has a real opportunity here to repair years of ignoring public input, and to become a place of humility and education rather than stubbornly pursuing the mechanics of de-forestation.
Many comments were received during the update of the Community Wildfire Protection Plan that the areas where theforest is adjacent to residential needs to be cleared of brush and the trees thinned or limbed to help prevent the spread of a wildfire. I hope that the forest plan will include maintenance of the WUI along the edges of the forests.
I want more races in the forest!
I love trail running and single track and am excited about the forthcoming connections between Bald Hill and Oak Creek/Dimple/Saddle/Peavy. The more we can weave our recreation spaces together, the better! I use the trails for mountain biking, hiking, and trail unning and prefer single track. I'm very happy with trails and access currently and hope to see it continue at current levels or expand. I don't think that landowners near trail heads should have the ability to restrict access or use of these recreation areas. I'd love to see invasive species removed as much as possible, and perhaps more educational signage about native species. Thank you!
I would love to see more non logging road trails. I would also love to see a 50 mile race or even 100 mile race (running) in this beautiful forest.
It is important that the public be involved in a collaborative process to manage these public forests. The college is statutorily obligated to transparency and accountability, and the public is not getting their concerns addressed. The forest belongs to all Oregonians, and as such the college needs to be accountable to the people, as the steward of the forest. The mishandling of old-growth stands has caused legitimate concerns that were to be addressed by transparency and accountability. If the public is not involved collaboratively, then concerns will likely continue to go un-addressed.
I have been running, walking, hunting, riding and trail-building in Mac/Dunn since moving to Corvallis as faculty for OSU forty three years ago. I know the forest like my backyard, watching it grow and change over these decades. That said, I have never seen so much cutting of trees and closure of access as observed this year. It's everywhere! I understand the need to mitigate fire risk and the value of timber for support of COForestry activities, but this level of cut is beyond understanding. It grieves me to think of the impact such devastating cuts have for the animal and plant populations there, what 'hypocrisy' it reveals to others for an institution that postures conservation and social integration to its local community. SLOW DOWN!Assure us that this precious resource is carefully and completely dedicated to support of local communities and the University, not capital gains for unrelated others. The world is heating up, commercial transformation of native habitats is devastating species diversity and opening landscapes for invasion of non- native species. We must "walk our talk" with responsible harvesting, not the clear cut + 1 tree/acre I am witnessing. PS. I hope your request for feedback is sincere and taken seriously. I am angry and concerned about what I see and I sense a great deal of cynicism, my own included, that this appeal will be ignored and disregarded for its incompatibility to a foregone policy decision. Step up! Do what those who follow us 43 years from now will call far-sighted and responsible.
More single track trails!
I hope that any plans for MacDonald Dunn will include complete protection of old growth, including individual old trees. Also, no logging or other altering of the forest should be allowed that would adversely affect habitat for rare, threatened or endangered plants or animals. Non-native invasives should be removed, and MacDonald and Dunn should be managed to increase biodiversity and acreage of native areas.
As an OSU College of Forestry alumni, 30 year practicing forester and manager of nearly fifty foresters, I believe that the McDonald Dunn forest presents a unique opportunity for students and professionals to see all aspects of Forestry - to include active management and timber harvesting. OSU foresters are better prepared for any career path that they embark, because of the exposure that they get at the college and near by resources
I love the McDonald and the Dunn forests and recreate in them regularly. I’ve volunteered with both OSU and Team Dirt in building trails, and would love to see the trail network grow, especially in the Dunn, although I wouldn’t mind more trails in the Mac as well. Thank you for taking our input.
I was quite surprised to learn by reading through the presentations and meeting summaries of the SAC and FPC (FPC meeting #5 summary) that a decision has apparently been made to carve off any of the recreational use components of the management plan into a separate "Visitor Use Plan". It would appear that the VUP will be developed AFTER the Forest Management Plan. This is very different than what has been conveyed in the community listening sessions, and appears to substantially devalue recreational use of the forest. It is also somewhat surprising that a change this large has not been communicated openly. There is no mention of a separate plan on the planning process web page, and you need to dig deep into the meeting summary materials to find it. Not very transparent or trust inspiring.
McDonald Forest has such a wonderful system of trails. This is what makes Corvallis great. So many people use the trails and appreciate them. Thank you for making it accessible even though parking is often too limited, especially at Oak Creek.
I am deeply concerned about the approach the college of forestry is taking in management of the macdonald dunn Forest. This is a public resource that benefits and affects all of us but instead is being treated and managed like a privately owned forprofit tree plantation. We already have plenty of those around here degrading air and water quality and accelerating climate change. This publicly owned forest needs to be treated as such and the OSU COF needs to stop ignoring any opinion that didn't meet with their agenda of resource extraction. Their most recent efforts to develop a forest management plan only pays lip service to community input and it's exactly the kind of propaganda excercise the future discredits the university
The new e-bikes are a great form of transportation. I am a bicycle rider and I look forward to owning an e-bike and using it around town in Corvallis.
However, I have concerns about sharing our forest roads and trails with motorized vehicles. I know that the idea is that e-bikes are assisted with effort from the rider, but in practice the assistance level can be adjusted by the rider and many e-bikes can be ridden with little physical effort.
Allowing e-bikes is allowing motorcycles, which seems to be a step backwards in recreation, not forwards. The classification of e-bikes by top speed, pedal assist levels, power output, battery size, etcetera, means little in practice. E-bikes are easily modified and there is little enforcement of classification standards.
Over the past five years or so I have seen dozens of e-bikes on trails and roads in McDonald forest. I sometimes speak to the riders, and they are usually aware that they are breaking the standing rule against e-bikes. The mountain e-bikers extol the ability to ""session"", meaning make repeated runs up and down the trails. And the ability to get farther away from the trailheads with less effort, opening up those more remote areas offering solitude and exploration, which used to require too much time and effort to reach. They are all having great fun. It isn't just e-bikes. I've seen powered stand-on-top mono-wheels, and groups of full-on electric trail-bikes (no pedals). Of course once ""pedal-assisted"" e-bikes are allowed, electric tricycles will be allowed, and electric quadcycles, (yes these are all available in ""pedal-assist"" form), because we can't discriminate against more wheels, can we? Now if only we could fit our Teslas around the barriers...
I would absolutely love more trails!!!!More trails that allow mtb bikes would be amazing! Maybe extend no secret or something? More trails!!!
Thank you for the recreational use of the forest it's value to our community health and livability is beyond measure!The new trails being developed is awesome! I'd love to see and help with a lower dimple hill trail connecting oak creek and lower Dan's. Thank you again!
Hello! Thanks so much for the opportunity to weigh in on the use of e-bikes in the OSU Forest. I’m a strong supporter of lifting restrictions on the use of e-bikes on gravel roads in the forest. E-bikes are a great form of outdoor excercise, especially for seniors or other recreationists that are no longer willing or able to do more strenuous forest activities like trail running or mountain biking. By and large this population is not comprised of speed-racers that will be tearing up the roads, and threatening hikers and forest vehicles with daredevil antics. They are out to enjoy nature, and stay healthy, in a way that respects other forest users and the natural habitats they so much appreciate.
There are over 16,000 senior citizens in Benton County! (2024 data).
Restricting e-bikes on gravel roads in the OSU forest removes access to one of the best and most popular ways seniors can recreate in our community.
Please help keep our senior population thriving by doing away with the prohibition of e-bikes on the forest’s gravel roads. Thank you!
Please keep a strong emphasis on recreation in the new management plan for the research forests. I moved to Corvallis 20 years ago and have enjoyed every trail and road out there. In the last 7 years I have helped volunteer at some of the running events and trail building days. I would love to see more trails get incorporated as the years go on. I think Matt McPharlin is doing a fantastic job and would love to see him be able to keep at it. I'm so thankful to have this amazing resource in my town. If it were not for the recreational opportunities in the Mac/Dunn, I would have moved away years ago. Thank you.
I was at both of the community listening sessions, and was surprised to read the "No e-bikes due to speed and safety concerns" bullet point in the summary of the second listening session (under recreation). That does not at all reflect the sentiment in favor of vs opposed to e-bike access in the forest, which was, to my surprise, extensive and all positive save for the comment raised by the one person whose comment is recorded. Of course there was nothing cited to suggest that "speed and safety concerns" were valid, and another audience member gently suggested that the commenter consider not wearing their earbuds in the forest.
I live very close to mac forest. I have a fat tire eBike that I ride all over town and also through the bald hill area. I observe your guidelines and have never ridden my ebike in mac forest.
But for decades my son and I have ridden our mountain bikes all over mac. We love the Forest! Actually mostly I hike there. But I would love to ride my ebike through mac, even if you told me to stay on the roads, and off the trails. I could take the road all the way up to dimple hill! Please allow eBike use in mac forest! Surely they are closer to mtn. Bikes than to your trucks that go through there for governance and maintenance. I know it is a research forest and revenue generator. But when the state granted OSU governance of the mac, it was partly due to the proximity to residences, and recreational use must be anticipated as part of the governance policy.
Thanks for the chance to provide input.