The Oregon Forest Resources Institute is an educational organization based in the U.S. state of Oregon dedicated to forestry issues, including improving public understanding of the state's forest resources and encouraging environmentally sound forest management. It provides education, training and publications for forest landowners, students and teachers, and the general public. It also produces research on forest science and current issues. OFRI's seven-member staff is located in Portland.
The Board of Directors consists entirely of representatives from the timber industry. The state forester appoints 11 dedicated individuals to a board of directors that governs the Oregon Forest Resources Institute. The state forester is charged by statute with soliciting nominations and appointing the following board members: nine representatives of producer classes, with three each from small, medium and large producers; one member representing small woodland owners; and one representative for forest industry employees. Ex officio members required by statute include the dean of the Oregon State University College of Forestry and a public member appointed jointly by the president of the Oregon Senate and the speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives. Board members appointed by the state forester serve three-year terms. Current OFRI board members are as follows: Class 1: producers are defined by rule as those paying the harvest tax on 20 million board feet per year or less. Class 2: producers are those paying tax on more than 20 million per year but less than 100 million board feet. Class 3: producers pay tax on 100 million board feet per year or more. Small woodland owners: are defined as those who own between 100 and 2,000 acres of forestland and who have no direct financial interest in any forest products processing activity. Current members include: Matt Hegerberg - WyEast Timber Services, LLC Jennifer Phillipi - Perpetua Forests Company Quincy Powers - Powers Ranch Company Tyler Freres - Freres Lumber Company, Inc. David Fartwangler - Cascade Timber Consulting, Inc. Eric Schooler - Collins Timber David Hampton - Hampton Lumber Jim Hunt - Campbell Global, LLC Steve McNulty - Weyerhaeuser Audrey Barnes - Nickel Mountain, LLC Mike Sullivan - Association of Western Pulp and Paper Workers Ex Officio Member - Thomas Maness - Dean, Oregon State University School of Forestry Ex Officio Member - Randy Schild - Tillamook School District no. 9
Advertising Campaigns
OFRI has purchased several prominent advertising campaigns in the state of Oregon. These campaigns are paid for with taxpayer dollars. In 2015 OFRI spent $1.05 million in taxpayer funds. In 2016-2017 the advertising campaigns have focused on promoting a corporate website created by OFRI, http://oregonforestlaws.org/
Landowner education
OFRI provides workshops, publications and conferences focused on recent science and advances in forest management practices. Its programs are available to both large and small forestland owners.
OFRI's K-12 forestry education programs reach more than 100,000 students and more than 1,000 educators annually. Its Oregon Forest Literacy Program includes a forest education conceptual framework correlated with state education standards that offer educators guidance for developing classroom lessons related to forests. Student programs include classroom presentations, career events, publications, field tours and activities. Teacher training also includes support for workshops and conferences. OFRI manages the Rediscovery Forest, a forested area used for educational purposes and to demonstrate diverse Oregon wildlife habitat and forest ecosystems. The Rediscovery Forest is located in the Oregon Garden, in Silverton.
Public education
To increase public understanding about Oregon forests and their management, OFRI produces educational spots aired on broadcast and cable television; print, radio and Internet advertising; and online newsletters. It offers a speakers bureau, and co-sponsors and supports conferences and forest field trips.
Publications
OFRI maintains a library of approximately 70 titles that includes special reports, fact sheets, research reports, pocket reference guides and career information, all available at OFRI's website. It publishes an annual report each year in the fall.
