Private family forests often border the cities where most Oregonians live, but public understanding of management practices is lacking. It is an ongoing challenge to sustain private woodlands and engage urban audiences in experiencing and learning about sustainable family forestry.
Oregon State University Extension Service works with Forests Forever Inc. at Hopkins Demonstration Forest, a 140-acre privately owned forest open to the public for self-guided tours and educational programs only 25 miles from Portland. After taking OSU’s Basic Forestry short course, woodland neighbors partnering with Aveda Institute and Dosha Salon, were inspired to dedicate an Earth Month fundraising campaign. The money raised is used to support the forest and engage cosmetology staff and students in learning about forestry. The program includes a forest workday for 150 people, a cosmetology Service-a-thon and forest learning stations for 300 at the Evening for Earth Soiree.
The collaboration has engaged a diverse group of about 400 Portlanders each year to learn about family forests. So far, the partnership with Aveda and Dosha has raised $103,800 for Forests Forever. The money will help expand Extension’s capacity to provide crucial support for promoting science-based education to help an urban audience understand and appreciate the complexities and benefits of woodland management.
Funds have gone to developing infrastructure, trails, tree plantings and general operations. In 2019, volunteers from the two cosmetology businesses planted 400 wetland plants and developed the trail around the new wetland pond system. Each year, the fundraising partnership reaches more people as it draws a new group of volunteers, helping meet the continuing goal of forestry education for the Portland community. After participating in the planning and events, Kimberly Johnson, chief operating officer for Aveda Institute, was inspired to join the board of Forest Forever.