Forest Research Laboratory

The Forest Research Laboratory leads innovative approaches to forest management, wood-based renewable materials and understanding of forest ecosystems to improve the health and resiliency of Oregon’s forests, economy and communities.

Extension forester distributes seedlings to help restore Port-Orford-cedar

Port-Orford-cedar root rot, caused by the invasive pathogen Phytophthora lateralis, has led to widespread mortality of Port-Orford-cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana) throughout its native range in Southern Oregon. These distribution efforts ...

May 2025 | Impact Story

Students experience nature at Hopkins Demonstration Forest

Oregon’s youths are increasingly learning about the state’s natural resources through online lessons in the classroom. Because experiential learning is increasingly recognized as a valuable learning opportunity, Oregon State University ...

May 2025 | Impact Story

Oregon Season Tracker engages community to advance climate science

The Oregon Season Tracker program, coordinated by Oregon State University Extension, has engaged hundreds of volunteers across Oregon to collect critical environmental data on precipitation and plant phenology. By installing standardized ...

May 2025 | Impact Story

Student teams support watershed monitoring in Jackson County

Across Jackson County and much of Oregon, restoration and conservation projects often outpace the available funding and staff capacity to monitor them effectively. At the same time, high school students might lack awareness of ...

Apr 2025 | Impact Story

Master Woodland Manager volunteers improve Lane County forest health

Forests cover more than 90% of Lane County’s 2.9 million acres. Over 3,600 families manage small woodlands, supporting local jobs, ecological health, recreation and community resilience. These family forestland owners are part of a...

Apr 2025 | Impact Story

Northern Blues Restoration Partnership field tour enhances understanding of prescribed fire

Fire is broadly considered an important functional process in forests, rangelands and most other ecosystems. The reduction of periodic fire due to extensive fire suppression practices has been one of the major drivers of ecosystem...

Apr 2025 | Impact Story

Podcast enables listeners to learn about forests on their own time

Forest landowners and natural resource professionals often face challenges that require specialized knowledge. Traditionally, Oregon State University Extension Service’s Forestry and Natural Resources Program has addressed these needs ...

Apr 2025 | Impact Story

Oregon students learn about importance of forestry in after-school program

One of the significant and ongoing challenges affecting STEM education in the United States is the changing student demographic, with increasing numbers of multilingual learners studying science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) ...

Apr 2025 | Impact Story

OSU Extension aids wildfire recovery for Eastern Oregon communities

In 2024, wildfires burned 1.8 million acres in Eastern Oregon. The fires created immediate needs for communities, such as finding evacuation information, sourcing alternative feed for livestock and contacting agencies for help. ...

Mar 2025 | Impact Story

OSU Extension helps promote fire resilience in Washington County

Henry Hagg Lake in Washington County is a popular spot for outdoor activities like fishing, boating and hiking, in addition to providing essential water resources for the community. Unfortunately, like many areas in the Pacific ...

Mar 2025 | Impact Story