I am a frequent recreational user of the Mac forest (i.e. 4-5x/week) and am extremely thankful to have it as a community resource. Thank you! I am also very involved with Team Dirt as a lead trail builder. I applaud the management plan committee for including "diverse recreational experiences" within the charter. The mountain biking, hiking, and trail running communities are extremely thankful for the trail creation projects we've been able to do the past ~5yrs (No Secret, Playtime, and now Login). These compliment well the other authorized trails in the trail network (which also includes some trails in the adjoining Starker forest, such as Word to Your Mother, As You Wish, and Narnia). All of these authorized trails are classified as either Green (Easy) or Blue (Intermediate). To improve upon the forest experience, and also be consistent with the charter for diverse experiences, it would be great to have more advanced trails. This could include adoption of legacy "unauthorized" trails, as well as new trail development.
I would suggest that the creation and/or adoption of advanced trails be trusted to Team Dirt to lead, with OSU oversight. OSU and Team Dirt have an excellent working relationship. Team Dirt has also established good relations with local running and hiking clubs, such as Heart of the Valley Runners, and we recruit from the same community for organized volunteer trail work days. We can establish goals, criteria, and timelines for creation and/or adoption of advanced trails, and add it to the fold of Team Dirt's current charter and mission.
As far as trail proximity to trailheads... for my community of Forest Users, Oak Creek Trailhead is by far the most popular due to amount and proximity to the lengthy downhill trails that we enjoy riding. Trail development around the Soap Creek trailhead would also be a great way to spread users out across more trailheads. It is clear that OSU does not desire the MacDunn to become a recreational "hot spot" attracting massive amounts of visitors. I think this is okay - it is nice to not have crowded trails and/or trailheads - but we can improve user experience by intentional trail development at multiple trailhead sites. This too would support well the diverse recreational experience charter.
Your consideration and continued support of recreation in the McDonald Dunn Forest are greatly appreciated. Thank you to the committee members for your leadership and service.
William Emmingham
01/04/2023
For what purpose should the OSU, College Forestry McDonald-Dunn forest be managed? I studied and served in the College of Forestry from 1968 till 2001. As a professor and Extension Silviculture Specialist, I interacted with and developed educational programs for woodland owners and professional foresters on how to sustainably manage their forests to achieve their rightfully chosen objectives. Each owner, or manager had the desire and or obligation to achieve their objectives within the strict rules of the Oregon Forest Practices act. I learned that owner objectives varied widely; from industrial management for timber to management for wildlife, recreation, aesthetics and a variety of other forest uses, but most owners succeeded in achieving multiple objectives.
So, how does management of McDonald-Dune Forest assist in the College of Forestry role of providing useful management information? The forest plan now being put together by a very diverse committee should provide the opportunity to demonstrate and learn how to manage Oregon forests for a wide variety of objectives and provide useful information about tradeoffs across a broad for a variety of forest owners.
Fortunately, the Forest has been managed to provide a huge benefit to private citizens of Oregon via open access to the forest for recreational purposes. I appreciate and enjoy these access benefits as I walk regularly in the forest.
Anonymous
11/14/2022
I want to thank you for providing trails and trail access in McDonald and Dunn forests and encourage you to continue to increase the trail system. I am an avid cyclist who enjoys the trails in the dry season and the gravel roads in the wet season. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to share the diversity of forests and landscapes that are within biking distance from many homes. Expanding the multi-use trail network will allow more people to appreciate the forest, alleviate crowding on peak days, and will provide key access and escape routes for firefighters. The same newly built trail that may provide enjoyment, health benefits, and education to many could be a life saving escape route or the beginning of a control line during a wildfire. I support Team Dirt as a member and trail build volunteer and I appreciate the mutually beneficial relationship between OSU and organizations such as Team Dirt. My hope is you will consider expanding the trail network within McDonald Forest and into Dunn Forest.
Anonymous
11/13/2022
It’s hard to have a super strong opinion on this without having access to the full management plan. However, I am familiar with the past management of the college forest and the general direction management will be heading from this point forward.
The college forest has always had such a good balance of recreation, education, and active timber management. I got my BS in forest management at OSU and spent a lot of time in and out of the MacDunn between class, forestry club, recreation on the weekend, and working on the student logging crew for 3+ years. I think the way OSU manages the MacDunn is a perfect example of a diverse way to manage multi use land in Oregon. In a world of a lot extremes I think they take a very balanced approach to what the users of the forest want and how to keep timber management going with educational opportunities for students/young professionals and some economic stability. I can’t stress enough how much my work on the student logging crew prepared me for my career. Almost 6 years into my job I look back at think of all the practical learning opportunities and how that gives me an advantage in my work. I think the access that the public has to people like Fitz is incomparable to any other land manager/decision maker in the state. Most decision makers have multiple levels of bureaucracy and specialists to run interference on answering the public or ever having to deal with the true public. I’ve always admired how Fitz and Brent approach timber management but I am even more impressed how much they care about the public relations and issues that face the MacDunn.
OSU has always been a top tier forestry program. The education stands out in the industry. Balancing these management styles is how we should be teaching our next generation of foresters. Finding common ground and using science to back it up. Understanding the scope of projects and really understanding the entire landscape you work on.
Overall I believe OSU should keep managing their timber, but also keep the Corvallis community involved with plenty of recreational opportunities. People take for granted their access to public land, OSU does a great service to their community keeping their lands open, many places don’t.
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.
Sandy Kuhns
11/08/2022
I am a 24 year Corvallis resident who enjoys hiking in Mac Forest and appreciate the many trails available to the public. I also care for the health of this planet and in particular the amazing diverse and carbon capturing forests of the NW. Given the immense danger of the climate crisis and the steep decline of biodiversity, the ability of the forests of the NW for capturing vast amounts of carbon and slowing the loss of biodiversity becomes critically important. It seems to me that Oregon State would want to be a leader in the fight against climate change. What I see is a lack of interest,desire,hope,to your community. One person cannot fight this climate battle alone,but having the backing of an educational institution fighting for climate awareness is very helpful. Your seemly lack of interest to hear the intelligent and diverse voices of this community, including the OSU community, is disheartening and disappointing. I urge you to prioritize carbon capture, ecological values, research, and education in your forest plan that has taken a back seat to managing the forest for profit. You have an immense opportunity to lead on this and become a model for forest management that takes into account the holistic value of Forests that changes the paradigm for managing for profit.
Vicki Idema
11/08/2022
I appreciate the time committee members are taking to hear some of the concerns from neighbors and the public in regards to the planning of the forests future.
Cutting down forests so more trees can be planted results in loss of habitat and species; an increase in air pollution and the release of carbon into the atmosphere—which contributes to global climate change. Realizing some trees in the forest will be cut for revenue I hope Oregon State would prioritize ecological values, research, and education. When trees are removed my hope is OSU would think outside the box to come up with better ways than slash burning to remove the woody debris generated by the logging. Slash burning is often the most economic solution however OSU does have an article written by Amy Grotta explaining other options. (And maybe the forestry club could help with the clean up?)
Living in the Soap Creek Valley for almost 35 years I have another concern regarding OSU’s practice of chemical spraying in forests and pastures. Did you realize Soap Creek Valley has a cancer cluster? We have/had neighbors that have developed breast cancer, brain cancer, blood cancer, lung cancer, gall bladder cancer, bladder cancer and bone cancer. We are nestle between OSU and Starker forests, both of which spray deadly chemicals to control weeds. To prove spraying of these chemicals lead to some of these illness would be very difficult. However, I would hope OSU again would think outside the box in regards to spraying. Oregon State University is a research forest, please research into safer practices that would not harm their neighbors or the creatures that call the forest their home.
Thank you for this opportunity to voice a couple of my concerns.
Deborah Carey
11/07/2022
For so long now, the business as usual model for Oregon forestry was the "working forest”. It provided jobs, and targeted actively managing our Douglas Fir habitat. It also denuded the state of 90% of our old growth. Now we are inside our earth’s climate crisis. Making the needed paradigm shift is painful and unnerving, it goes against the prevailing invested economy. Nevertheless, the film Elemental which I just saw at the Darkside, highlights that old growth forests sequester more carbon than any other approach. Scientists studied and proved this fact in our own Oregon forests. And the current extreme forest fire danger exacerbates our forest loss. Will your policies follow Oregon science? Now is past time to prioritize ecological values, research, and education. We have so little time left to make a difference, even a small one. You are a large and scientific educational institution. OSU could lead in this approach. It should. It must.
Carolyn S. Powers
11/07/2022
It is extremely frustrating to be trying to make my words reach someone and have an impact! No matter what is said or done, no matter the truth of research or studies, your forestry management does not change.
Time after time, in the 18 years I've lived here, the results of a "new study" would be publicized, saying that selective cutting is more economical and far more ecologically sound. But nothing changes. The clear cutting goes on, without regard to the age of the trees being mowed down.
Our University is a place where young people come to be prepared for learned and responsible jobs in the greater world. Our forestry department has a lineage of worthy names, with Starker leading the list. How ignoble that the behaviour of today is unworthy of those names. How chilling that the students are being trained in acts and behavior that belies the latest science. We can expect no turning away from the old, take-what-you-can-get actions of the past.
Or words mean nothing, our protests are not heard or honored. What will it take to have an HONESTLY open public hearing? This is OUR university, therefore, OUR forest and we have a right to be heard.
Anonymous
11/07/2022
As a citizen of Oregon and a student at OSU, I am deeply concerned about the creation of the decision making process for the management plan of the McDonald-Dunn research forest. These forests are public lands that the college of forestry is stewarding, and setting the precedent for the management for forests across the state. The public needs to be able to actually collaborate on forest management decisions, like Anthony Davis said. Collaboration is not being asked to submit comments or be given short windows of time to answer predetermined questions. Collaboration means having at least equal seats at the decision making table and working with the public in an ongoing reciprocal relationship where everyone is working to solve problems together. In order to be collaborative these processes need to be inclusive, open minded, communicate transparently. See collaborative skills and definition of collaborative. Furthermore, requiring operational revenue to come from logging of these public forests precludes the possibility of researching all alternative forest management practices. The current revenue accounting does not include the externalized costs of carbon storage, habitat, water filtration and storage, and wildfire resilience to name a few. Clearcut logging is not a renewable or sustainable resource and we need to be studying other management strategies that take into account the larger picture of our ecosystem at this time, and not just the financial profits. For example, several studies have shown that the best direction for PNW forestry would include: carbon accounting for all management decisions, forest lands that are removed from logging bases for increased carbon storage, water quality, recreation, and habitat, extending buffer zones, limiting pesticide and herbicide use, and alternatives to clearcut logging that leave more trees on the landscape. See fusee.org. Finally, if I were to choose my own public representation, which you seem to have already done for me, I would choose people like my friends and colleagues who have been working independently and for the forest service in restoration of forests to old growth character, creation of wildlife habitat, and in wildfire management. This is to say, I do not see my interests represented in your stakeholders.
Howard Bruner
11/07/2022
I appreciate the opportunity to voice my opinion concerning the fate of McDonald and Dunn Forests.
The planning and implementation of management of these forests is at a very critical juncture.
For decades Oregon State University has been in the vanguard of professional Forest Science. Both in performing far-ranging research and in applications of those results in forest management science. Some of the research findings have dealt with the importance of collaborative and thorough planning in order to meet with successful implementation of forest management goals.
What I am witnessing is an unfortunate throw-back to the days of cut-and-run, the model that resulted in catastrophic wildlife habitat destruction, slope destabilization, and non-sustainable yield goals. It seems to me that the current farce of inclusive participation in planning the future of McDonald and Dunn Forests will result in not only a flawed process but will jeopardize OSU's status as a forest management science leader.
This unfortunate them-vs-us reaction does nothing to strengthen the resilience of the McDonald and Dunn Forests which, with all voices heard, will be given every chance to thrive as the green jewel to the north.
Anonymous
11/07/2022
Please stop cutting down old growth forests!! You say you want to manage forests for climate resilience, and the best way to mitigate climate change is to keep the forests intact. Please stop violating your own management plans. These are public forests and they belong to all of us. You don't own them and you do not have a right to manage them alone without collaborative involvement. There are no forest carbon, climate change or ecological forestry experts on either the SAC or the FPC, instead the stakeholders are in traditional timber management. None of this fits with OSU's strategic plan and vision for the future.
Your own OSU faculty researchers provide study after study that show forests cool the environment, and provide habitat for endangered species and sequester carbon. Your own research also shows that clear-cutting damages streams and ecosystems and that once old-growth is cut that ecosystem can NEVER be replaced. What you do cannot be undone. So stop managing and start preserving - the time is now.
Jukka Naukkarinen
11/07/2022
I am an Oregon forest owner and local tax payer. Please evaluate the following request:
Please conduct a long term research study of the environmental effects of pesticide/herbicide usage of forest. Presently EPA has not done any adequate long term study of the common approved chemicals used for spraying after logging operations. Hence your efforts would be beneficial nationwide. Also consider applying for state/federal grants for the said research.
Furthermore please do not cut down any further old growth forest. All your actions should have accountability and transparency and be a role model for your students, the future guardians of the forest.
Finally, State of Oregon is behind California and State of Washington in protecting its forest. Consequently, please make a list of improvements and modifications of law to better protect the forests of Orgon and provide the said list to appropriate law makers and Board of Forestry
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.
Don Kuhns
11/07/2022
I am a 24 year Corvallis resident who enjoys hiking in Mac Forest and appreciate the many trails available to the public. I also care for the health of this planet and in particular the amazing diverse and carbon capturing forests of the NW. Given the immense danger of the climate crisis and the steep decline of biodiversity, the ability of the forests of the NW for capturing vast amounts of carbon and slowing the loss of biodiversity becomes critically important. Your seemly lack of interest to hear the intelligent and diverse voices of this community, including the OSU community, is disheartening and disappointing. I urge you to prioritize carbon capture, ecological values, research, and education in your forest plan that has taken a back seat to managing the forest for profit. You have an immense opportunity to lead on this and become a model for forest management that takes into account the holistic value of Forests that changes the paradigm for managing for profit.
Anonymous
11/06/2022
Could you please explain why your comment form does not allow people to send emails (and submit attachments, such as articles, links, photos, etc.), while your "Submit a Question" link does (using the McDonaldDunnPlan@oregonstate.edu address)?
Also, how are these messages processed? One person reported that the associate dean handles them. That is hugely problematic from an integrity point of view, as the associate dean has played a key role in your autocratic forest planning process and won't respond to questions that are emailed to her. If you wish to have any measure of objectivity, messages should be handled by a neutral party. We saw the exact same "command and control" approach to the Elliott. Michael Collins (the CoF communications person) filtered all messages sent to OSU's so- called "Science Advisory Panel" - thus undermining the integrity of the panel and process. You will only lose more public trust by operating in this manner. This is NOT collaboration!
The public absolutely must have a right to submit comments with attachments (preferably via an email format). These messages must be handled by a neutral party. Public input (including emails and attachments) must be shared with both your so-called "Stakeholder Advisory Committee" and your "Faculty Planning Committee". There must also be some acknowledgement so that senders know their messages
have been shared with the SAC and FPC (without being censored).
Thanks in advance for your response.
Martha Truninger
11/06/2022
I have been a resident of Corvallis since 1981. Being a frequent visitor, I've loved and continue to love the McDonald-Dunn forest. Over the years the forest has been degraded mainly by logging. Many beautiful tracts have been ruined by clear cutting. I've been concerned about this degradation for years. Mary McDonald donated the forest with the intentions of research of which I have seen little of in the last decade. I'm concerned about OSU's use of the forest. There does not appear to be a prioritization of ecological values which should seek to maintain as much of an intact forest as possible. It appears with the continued pressure from logging that issues related to climate change are non-existent in the forest planning process.
These forests belong to the public. They are NOT a for profit asset to generate revenue. Therefore OSU needs to manage these forests with public and additional scientific input. OSU needs to become much more collaborative with other stakeholders, seeking their input and concerns.
Angela Courtney
11/06/2022
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.
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
Marsha Swanson
11/06/2022
It is very important to stop managing the forest to maximize revenue. Combine the incredible research, knowledge and expertise of the many schools at the university to become a leader in forest management and preserving our planet.
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.
Delores Porch
11/06/2022
The Community Listening Sessions on management planning for the McDonald and Dunn Research Forests is so discouraging. I thought I would get to hear from a wide range of people, but instead I was to be delegated to a zoom group. If it's a listening session then everyone should get to listen to all available people.
Anonymous
11/06/2022
I appreciate that the college research forest is available and maintained for public hiking and recreation. I hike there almost weekly. Such a beautiful and accessible asset in our community. I donate annually to the recreation trails. I trust the college to make reasonable decisions about how to use what parts of the forest for their priorities while balancing their needs with the enjoyment and benefits the forest brings the public. Perhaps the college could include more information on what they are doing in the forest to be more transparent without threatening those operations.
Anonymous
11/06/2022
How do you plan to incorporate the public comments (mostly outrage over the College's outdated forestry practices) from the controversial old growth harvest a few years ago? OSU held two public meetings (one at Adair Village and one on campus) and well over 100 people participated. Many were neighbors who testified about being ignored by the research forest managers for decades. They spoke passionately of how the leaders of the College of Forestry had mismanaged the forests, undermined research by over-cutting, cut old growth on previous occasions, and used the forests as a "cash cow". Many of them had PhD's and had come from OSU. In contrast, the research forest director and staff come across as neanderthals (no offense intended to those early hominids!). They seem to have a very "old-school", biased approach to forestry. There's no accountability when they screw up (like cutting the old growth). Anyone who has followed the history of the research forests knows this. When will OSU's leaders actually change things and hold people accountable?
So, back to my point, how will you incorporate ALL of the feedback from the past (old growth controversy), including notes from those meetings, emails to the dean and your previous forest email, president, trustees, and Letters to the Editor? ALL of this should be essential reading for the current committee members (and should absolutely be part of the public record for your forest planning). You cannot move forward without acknowledging the mistakes of the past (and learning from them)!
Anonymous
11/06/2022
As a member of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC), I must publicly note that our discussion group is not engaged in deliberation, nor in collaborating with the Forest Planning Committee (FPC). The FPC alone is directed to recommend a forest management plan for the MacDonald Dunn Forest, and not necessarily a set of alternatives from from which the Dean and the Forest Executive Committee can choose to adopt. The SAC has not collectively provided any guidance to the FPC, except what may have been represented by staff, nor has any liaison process been adopted. Before the SAC again meets, the FPC will have held at least five (5) planning meetings, further marginalizing what could at best be characterized as important conceptual guidance from the SAC.
The absolute minimum the SAC and FPC must each now perform is to clearly respond to and address community input in a transparent and publicly accountable manner. These committees and the College of Forestry owe their community this consideration.
I want to thank you for providing trails and trail access in McDonald and Dunn forests and encourage you to continue to increase the trail system. I am an avid cyclist who enjoys the trails in the dry season and the gravel roads in the wet season. I feel extremely fortunate to be able to share the diversity of forests and landscapes that are within biking distance from many homes. Expanding the multi-use trail network will allow more people to appreciate the forest, alleviate crowding on peak days, and will provide key access and escape routes for firefighters. The same newly built trail that may provide enjoyment, health benefits, and education to many could be a life saving escape route or the beginning of a control line during a wildfire. I support Team Dirt as a member and trail build volunteer and I appreciate the mutually beneficial relationship between OSU and organizations such as Team Dirt. My hope is you will consider expanding the trail network within McDonald Forest and into Dunn Forest.
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.
I am a 24 year Corvallis resident who enjoys hiking in Mac Forest and appreciate the many trails available to the public. I also care for the health of this planet and in particular the amazing diverse and carbon capturing forests of the NW. Given the immense danger of the climate crisis and the steep decline of biodiversity, the ability of the forests of the NW for capturing vast amounts of carbon and slowing the loss of biodiversity becomes critically important. It seems to me that Oregon State would want to be a leader in the fight against climate change. What I see is a lack of interest,desire,hope,to your community. One person cannot fight this climate battle alone,but having the backing of an educational institution fighting for climate awareness is very helpful. Your seemly lack of interest to hear the intelligent and diverse voices of this community, including the OSU community, is disheartening and disappointing. I urge you to prioritize carbon capture, ecological values, research, and education in your forest plan that has taken a back seat to managing the forest for profit. You have an immense opportunity to lead on this and become a model for forest management that takes into account the holistic value of Forests that changes the paradigm for managing for profit.
For so long now, the business as usual model for Oregon forestry was the "working forest”. It provided jobs, and targeted actively managing our Douglas Fir habitat. It also denuded the state of 90% of our old growth. Now we are inside our earth’s climate crisis. Making the needed paradigm shift is painful and unnerving, it goes against the prevailing invested economy. Nevertheless, the film Elemental which I just saw at the Darkside, highlights that old growth forests sequester more carbon than any other approach. Scientists studied and proved this fact in our own Oregon forests. And the current extreme forest fire danger exacerbates our forest loss. Will your policies follow Oregon science? Now is past time to prioritize ecological values, research, and education. We have so little time left to make a difference, even a small one. You are a large and scientific educational institution. OSU could lead in this approach. It should. It must.
As a citizen of Oregon and a student at OSU, I am deeply concerned about the creation of the decision making process for the management plan of the McDonald-Dunn research forest. These forests are public lands that the college of forestry is stewarding, and setting the precedent for the management for forests across the state. The public needs to be able to actually collaborate on forest management decisions, like Anthony Davis said. Collaboration is not being asked to submit comments or be given short windows of time to answer predetermined questions. Collaboration means having at least equal seats at the decision making table and working with the public in an ongoing reciprocal relationship where everyone is working to solve problems together. In order to be collaborative these processes need to be inclusive, open minded, communicate transparently. See collaborative skills and definition of collaborative. Furthermore, requiring operational revenue to come from logging of these public forests precludes the possibility of researching all alternative forest management practices. The current revenue accounting does not include the externalized costs of carbon storage, habitat, water filtration and storage, and wildfire resilience to name a few. Clearcut logging is not a renewable or sustainable resource and we need to be studying other management strategies that take into account the larger picture of our ecosystem at this time, and not just the financial profits. For example, several studies have shown that the best direction for PNW forestry would include: carbon accounting for all management decisions, forest lands that are removed from logging bases for increased carbon storage, water quality, recreation, and habitat, extending buffer zones, limiting pesticide and herbicide use, and alternatives to clearcut logging that leave more trees on the landscape. See fusee.org. Finally, if I were to choose my own public representation, which you seem to have already done for me, I would choose people like my friends and colleagues who have been working independently and for the forest service in restoration of forests to old growth character, creation of wildlife habitat, and in wildfire management. This is to say, I do not see my interests represented in your stakeholders.
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 am a 24 year Corvallis resident who enjoys hiking in Mac Forest and appreciate the many trails available to the public. I also care for the health of this planet and in particular the amazing diverse and carbon capturing forests of the NW. Given the immense danger of the climate crisis and the steep decline of biodiversity, the ability of the forests of the NW for capturing vast amounts of carbon and slowing the loss of biodiversity becomes critically important. Your seemly lack of interest to hear the intelligent and diverse voices of this community, including the OSU community, is disheartening and disappointing. I urge you to prioritize carbon capture, ecological values, research, and education in your forest plan that has taken a back seat to managing the forest for profit. You have an immense opportunity to lead on this and become a model for forest management that takes into account the holistic value of Forests that changes the paradigm for managing for profit.
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
It is very important to stop managing the forest to maximize revenue. Combine the incredible research, knowledge and expertise of the many schools at the university to become a leader in forest management and preserving our planet.
The Community Listening Sessions on management planning for the McDonald and Dunn Research Forests is so discouraging. I thought I would get to hear from a wide range of people, but instead I was to be delegated to a zoom group. If it's a listening session then everyone should get to listen to all available people.
I appreciate that the college research forest is available and maintained for public hiking and recreation. I hike there almost weekly. Such a beautiful and accessible asset in our community. I donate annually to the recreation trails. I trust the college to make reasonable decisions about how to use what parts of the forest for their priorities while balancing their needs with the enjoyment and benefits the forest brings the public. Perhaps the college could include more information on what they are doing in the forest to be more transparent without threatening those operations.