The College of Forestry manages approximately 15,000 acres of forestland in 10 separate tracts around the state of Oregon. The College aspires for this collection of Research Forests to be globally recognized as a model for an actively and sustainably managed forest system that advances forestry through scientific inquiry, education, and the application of new knowledge to inform best practices of forest management.

The College aims for each research forest to provide opportunities for education, research, and outreach that addresses the economic, social, and environmental values of current and future generations of Oregonians and beyond. Each research forest serves as a demonstration of how actively and sustainably managed forests foster economic prosperity, biodiversity conservation, and resilience amidst disturbances and global change. The collection of research forests strives to support social and cultural values of forests, enhance the wellbeing of local communities, Tribal communities, and our broader citizenship.

The research that we do is primarily centered around actively managed forests because active management is central to forest sustainability. The research, teaching, and demonstration opportunities these forests provide center around investigations of the effects of active forest management on a variety of interests and ecosystem services such as: wildlife and wildlife habitat, carbon sequestration, forest resiliency amidst climate change, wildfire resilience, recreation, timber production, economies, ecosystem processes, and forest sustainability.

The College of Forestry Research Forests strive to be a place where students and scientists can conduct both short and long-term research that provide answers to critical questions that relate to the stewardship and sustainability of Oregon’s forests and beyond. The forests also provide a living laboratory for teaching and outreach.