OSU Research Forests

OSU Research Forests The OSU Research Forests serve as a living laboratory and outdoor classroom for our community.
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Covering about 11,250 acres in the hilly country north and west of Corvallis, McDonald-Dunn is the OSU College of
Forestry’s largest research, teaching, and demonstration forest, and is one of the principal assets of the
College. There are usually 40 to 80 active research projects under way on the Forest at any given time. More
than 40 university classes receive part of their instruction on the Fo

rest each year. The Forest also receives at
least 175,000 visits from hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, public school students, and teachers each year. The
College accommodates these uses by devoting a portion of its College Forest budget to maintaining the
Forest’s recreational and educational features, including an extensive all weather road system. Timber
harvested from the Forest produces revenue to maintain and operate the Forest, including recreational use,
and to meet special College instructional and research needs.

Forest Update! Several harvests were completed this week and closures lifted. The Dead Man's Finger Harvest will begin t...
07/10/2024

Forest Update! Several harvests were completed this week and closures lifted. The Dead Man's Finger Harvest will begin tomorrow.

A lot of info to take in, so hopefully the visual will help!

Recently Completed Harvests:

✅ Poison Soap Harvest is complete. All closure signs have been lifted

✅ 870 Right of Way Harvest complete. All closure signs have been lifted. The 'No Parking' bollards at Oak Creek will be removed this afternoon. Thank you for your patience with the limited parking at Oak Creek during this harvest! We block off those spaces so log trucks can make it through that narrow passage.

✅ Nerd Harvest is complete and the area will be re-opened to the public by noon tomorrow.

✅ Lewisburg Saddle SMC Harvest is complete and the area will be re-opened to the public by noon tomorrow. Please use caution on the New Growth Trail as we still need to address minor post-harvest trail repairs.

Active Harvests:

⚠️Dead Man's Finger Harvest will begin tomorrow morning.

- Approximate Closure Duration: 1.5 Months
- Closed Roads: Portions of 610, All of 611 & 611.2
- Closed Trails: None
- Haul Route: 600 road to the 600 Gate at Lewisburg Saddle
- Detours: None
- Size: 41.8 acres
- Harvest Method: Tethered harvester/forwarder Cut to Length System
- Prescription: Thinning to a variable spacing removing dead, diseased, dying and suppressed conifer trees
- Reason for Harvest: This timber harvest contributes to the overall sustainable harvest goal. Revenue supports Research Forests operations and teaching and research within the College of Forestry. Increase long term forest health and wind firmness.
- Stand Age: 32
- Additional Considerations: None
- Consistent w/ Forest Plan? Yes

⚠️ Woodpecker Phase 1 Harvest is currently active.

⚠️ Turkey Run Harvest (Student Logging Training Program) is currently active.

Know before you go:

🌲 Visit our Interactive Webmap for live updates of harvest related closures: https://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/harvest-webmap

🌲 Sign up for our Forest Email Updates to stay informed about what is going on in the Research Forests!
https://oregonstate.us12.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=3b37a9f792ce7886188c6782f&id=579f90350d

Roadside Spray Re-Opening Update!Tomorrow morning (6/28) we will open the Dunn Forest. The McDonald Forest will open on ...
06/27/2024

Roadside Spray Re-Opening Update!

Tomorrow morning (6/28) we will open the Dunn Forest.

The McDonald Forest will open on Saturday, June 29th. We will start removing closure signs at Oak Creek at 7:30am on Saturday and will work our way east, finishing at Peavy Arboretum and the 540/Adair Gate. All of the McDonald Forest should be fully open for your enjoyment by 1pm on Saturday.

Thank you for your patience, and thank you to Research Forest student workers for all their help with signage posting and removal!

Please see bright stickers posted on signs at trailheads for specific information about the herbicide application. These stickers will remain in place for one week.

*Please note that harvest closures remain in effect. Visit our Interactive Web Map to see updates of current harvest operations.

Heads up! The McDonald-Dunn Forests are now closed for roadside herbicide spray with closures lasting up to 3 to 4 days....
06/25/2024

Heads up! The McDonald-Dunn Forests are now closed for roadside herbicide spray with closures lasting up to 3 to 4 days.

As work locations will vary throughout the closure, we intend to open segments of the forest to public use as we complete work. We will send out Forest Updates at the start of closures, and when closures are lifted.

The date of application and chemical names will be posted on signs on the day of application.

Roadside spraying typically occurs every one to two years to help control the spread of invasive weeds and to protect the integrity of the roadbed and ditches.

Reminder and heads up! Two harvests begin tomorrow, 6/24: Woodpecker Harvest (Phase 1) and Lewisburg Saddle SMC Harvest....
06/23/2024

Reminder and heads up! Two harvests begin tomorrow, 6/24: Woodpecker Harvest (Phase 1) and Lewisburg Saddle SMC Harvest.

We know there is a lot going on in the McDonald-Dunn this week; thank you very much for your understanding and compliance!

We encourage you to frequently visit our Forest Updates page (https://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/recreation/forest-updates) or Interactive Harvest Webmap (https://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/harvest-webmap) where we update our closure and re-opening information

The first phase (Phase 1) of the Woodpecker Harvest is slated to start next Monday, June 24. Woodpecker Phase 1 Harvest ...
06/18/2024

The first phase (Phase 1) of the Woodpecker Harvest is slated to start next Monday, June 24.

Woodpecker Phase 1 Harvest Information

- Approximate Closure Duration: 2.5 Months
- Closed Roads: Portions of 500, 520, 522, 524, 540
- Closed Trails: Portions of Section 36 Loop
- Haul Route: 520 to Peavy Arboretum Rd.
- Size: 63.9 acres
- Harvest Method: Ground Based
- Prescription: Thinning to a variable spacing (51.6 acres), Oak Restoration (5 acres), and two Patch Cuts (totaling 7.3 acres)
- Reason for Harvest: This timber harvest contributes to the overall sustainable harvest goal. Revenue supports Research Forests operations and teaching and research within the College of Forestry.
- Stand Age: 108
- Additional Considerations: None
- Consistent w/ Forest Plan?: Yes

Stay informed! Sign up for our Forest Update email list: https://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/contact-us

Interactive harvest webmap: https://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/harvest-webmap

❗️️Heads up! ❗️OSU Research Forests will be spraying herbicide on all roads, roadside ditches, and cutbanks on the McDon...
06/17/2024

❗️️Heads up! ❗️

OSU Research Forests will be spraying herbicide on all roads, roadside ditches, and cutbanks on the McDonald, Dunn and Elizabeth Starker Cameron Demonstration Forests. The forests will be CLOSED as early as Tuesday, June 25, 2024 with closures lasting up to 3 to 4 days.

The timing of the closure is subject to change, depending on contractor availability and weather conditions. As work locations will vary throughout the closure, we intend to open segments of the forest to public use as we complete work. We will send out Forest Updates at the start of closures, and when closures are lifted.
The date of application and chemical names will be posted on the sign above on the day of application.

Roadside spraying typically occurs every one to two years to help control the spread of invasive weeds and to protect the integrity of the roadbed and ditches.

If you have any questions about roadside spraying on the OSU Research Forests, please contact us here: https://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/contact-us.

For questions regarding the herbicides used, please contact National Pesticide Information Center.

The College of Forestry aspires for its Research Forests to be globally recognized as models for actively and sustainabl...
06/04/2024

The College of Forestry aspires for its Research Forests to be globally recognized as models for actively and sustainably managed forest system. Timber harvest is one component of active forest management. Check out this new video that describes aspects of the timber harvest program on the Research Forests!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpbAMN3kJHY

College of Forestry at Oregon State University

The College of Forestry aspires for its research forests to be globally recognized as models for actively and sustainably managed forest systems. Timber harv...

06/03/2024

The College of Forestry invites you to the McDonald-Dunn Research Forest Community Input Session on Wednesday, June 5, from 6-8 p.m. in PFSC 117. Remote participation is also available.

A new plan is being developed to guide management of the McDonald-Dunn Research Forest. After nearly 2 years of work, we have developed a suite of “management strategies” that will serve as the foundation for forest management. We now need to make decisions on how these strategies will be overlaid across the forest. At this session, we will provide an overview of decisions made to date and request your input on how we allocate land within the forest. All OSU faculty, staff, students and community members are welcome to attend.

Find more info about the planning process & the event Zoom link here: https://beav.es/cvC

🌲☀️🦋See you next Saturday for Get Outdoors Day in Peavy Arboretum! 🌲☀️🦋On Saturday, June 1st the Arboretum will brim wit...
05/24/2024

🌲☀️🦋See you next Saturday for Get Outdoors Day in Peavy Arboretum! 🌲☀️🦋

On Saturday, June 1st the Arboretum will brim with bilingual activities, families, and community groups – all coming together with the goal of getting people outside, enjoying community, and hopefully trying something new along the way (like catching a fish in Cronemiller Pond for the first time).

The event is completely free and no registration necessary. Due to limited parking in the Arboretum, all visitors and attendees need to park at Crescent Valley High School and use the free shuttle service to and from the event (thank you, Dial-a-Bus!). The shuttle runs to every 15-20 minutes.

More info & shuttle schedule here (información disponible en español): https://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/outreach-education/go-day

Did you sign up to volunteer? We have a GREAT volunteer list so far. Thank you! We have plenty of helpers and will be closing volunteer sign up registration. If you signed up to volunteer, keep an eye out in your email for more information early next week.

The McDonald Forest 50K trail run is happening this Saturday, 5/4/2024, throughout the McDonald Forest!Start and finish ...
05/02/2024

The McDonald Forest 50K trail run is happening this Saturday, 5/4/2024, throughout the McDonald Forest!

Start and finish lines will be at the Forestry Club Cabin in Peavy Arboretum, but the course extends throughout the forest. Expect to see aid stations, course markings, administrative traffic, and runners while out in the forest on Saturday.

Please visit the Mac50k website for more information: http://www.mac50k.org/
Photo: WYSIWYG photography

Prescribed fire is an age-old tool first used by Indigenous peoples for a variety of reasons from fuels management to fa...
04/25/2024

Prescribed fire is an age-old tool first used by Indigenous peoples for a variety of reasons from fuels management to favoring desired plant species. Earlier this week, we hosted a live fire demonstration at our Collins Research Forest location in collaboration with Forestry & Natural Resources OSU Extension - North Willamette Valley

Prescribed burns are an important part of forestry in Southern Oregon and help address fuel accumulation on the landscape.

Why reduce fuels? Reducing fuel (i.e., combustible biomass found in forests) promotes an ecologically restorative process that can reinvigorate native species, control weeds, release nutrients into the soil, and help germinate fire-adapted species.

Learn about our Research Forest locations: https://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/our-OSU Research Forests

Learn about prescribed fires in Oregon: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/video/prescribed-fire-oregon

The Dunn Forest Spring Turkey Hunt begins today, April 15th and lasts through May 31st. We had 146 people apply for this...
04/15/2024

The Dunn Forest Spring Turkey Hunt begins today, April 15th and lasts through May 31st. We had 146 people apply for this hunt and 50 people were randomly selected and given permission to hunt on the Dunn Forest.

Visit our website to see the hunt schedule, rules, and the 2023 hunt survey results: https://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/recreation/hunt-information

Photo: ODFW

Update! ODFW reported a cougar sighting near Quercus Meadows today at 8am. There have been multiple sightings in this ar...
04/09/2024

Update! ODFW reported a cougar sighting near Quercus Meadows today at 8am.

There have been multiple sightings in this area in recent months. Below are helpful tips for recreating and staying safe in cougar country:

Hiking tips:

-- Cougars are most active from an hour before sunset to an hour after sunrise.
-- Be cautious and avoid walking alone.
-- Make noise as you hike so as not to surprise a cougar.
-- Keep dogs close as they can attract cougars.

If you encounter a cougar:

-- Stay calm. DO NOT RUN.
-- Raise your voice, speak firmly, and back away slowly.
-- Report any cougar sightings or encounters to ODFW: (541) 757-4186

Photo: ODFW

Reminder to be safe when recreating on our roads and trails! Thank you Corvallis Fire Department and the responsible bys...
04/03/2024

Reminder to be safe when recreating on our roads and trails! Thank you Corvallis Fire Department and the responsible bystanders involved for your quick and thoughtful response to the emergency🙏

Heads up! The spring herbicide spray starting as early as Wednesday, April 3The OSU Research Forests plan to spray McDon...
03/29/2024

Heads up! The spring herbicide spray starting as early as Wednesday, April 3

The OSU Research Forests plan to spray McDonald-Dunn harvest units as early as Wednesday, April 3, 2024. The exact dates are dependent on weather conditions and contractor availability.

We will spray all treatment units on the McDonald and Dunn Forests using backpack sprayers. Spray targets vegetation only (not road or trail surfaces).

During application, staff will be at roads and official trails leading into spray areas to keep people away.

Signs will be posted at entry points to each treatment area and include: date of application, herbicide used, and public re-entry information. Signs will remain in place for one week.

Herbicides are used in the Research Forest to control the growth of non-native plant species and competing vegetation in recently harvested areas. All herbicide applications are conducted in compliance with State and Federal regulations and under a licensed pesticide applicator's supervision.

Heads up! The Apparition Harvest and Blackbird Harvest are now complete. Note that Grayman Harvest and Rocky Top Harvest...
03/20/2024

Heads up! The Apparition Harvest and Blackbird Harvest are now complete.

Note that Grayman Harvest and Rocky Top Harvest are still active in that area. Here is a map of the current closures in the 700 road system in the McDonald Forest. You can also view all McDonald-Dunn harvest-related closures on our interactive web map: https://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/harvest-webmap

A couple Forest Updates before starting your ☀️weekend☀️:Tomorrow is the McDonald Forest 5k/15k. Expect to see race part...
03/15/2024

A couple Forest Updates before starting your ☀️weekend☀️:

Tomorrow is the McDonald Forest 5k/15k. Expect to see race participants, volunteers, and administrative vehicles in Peavy Arboretum and throughout the McDonald Forest.

AND! Powder House Trail and Dave's Trail repairs are complete and both trails are open for your enjoyment.

02/23/2024
This is a great weekend to support the College of Forestry Food Drive! The food drive is in support of the Linn Benton F...
02/16/2024

This is a great weekend to support the College of Forestry Food Drive! The food drive is in support of the Linn Benton Food Share.

There is a friendly competition among colleges and units at Oregon State University to raise the most money and win the coveted "Top Banana" award. A fun way to take part, no matter where you are, is to enter the virtual 5K/10K race. And you know our favorite place to to go.. 😉 (McDonald-Dunn hint hint)

You can go at your own pace! Enter here : https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/.../SV_89enAZoy2B7mA0C

After your race, let us know how it went: https://oregonstate.qualtrics.com/.../SV_0wXMkfOgq0yESsS

Thanks for helping us bring home the Top Banana award, but most importantly helping to ensure that 'Everybody Eats!'

Happy retirement to OSU Research Forest Director, Stephen 'Fitz' Fitzgerald and Business Manager, Carol Carlson!! Carol ...
02/15/2024

Happy retirement to OSU Research Forest Director, Stephen 'Fitz' Fitzgerald and Business Manager, Carol Carlson!! Carol and Fitz were recognized at the College of Forestry Dean's Awards and Retiree Recognition Event on Tuesday for their years of service and contributions to the Research Forest. We will miss Carol and Fitz very much - and celebrate this exciting next chapter in their lives!

Before ➡ During ➡ After 🤩! Research Forest volunteers have been hard at work repairing trails after January's doozy of a...
02/07/2024

Before ➡ During ➡ After 🤩! Research Forest volunteers have been hard at work repairing trails after January's doozy of an ice storm. Check out this nice repair on Section 36 Trail.

Thanks to everyone who has been reporting down trees on our new road/trail issue report form. Research Forest volunteers and staff continue to make progress!
https://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/recreation/trail-and-road-issue-report-form

Get moving outside and support an important cause? Where do I sign up??OSU Research Forest is thrilled to support and sp...
02/01/2024

Get moving outside and support an important cause? Where do I sign up??

OSU Research Forest is thrilled to support and spread the word about the College of Forestry's 4th annual virtual 5K/10K Race to the Top Banana. Your entry fee of $25 will go to the Linn Benton Food Share to help feed those in need in our community.

For more information, and to register, click here! https://mailchi.mp/oregonstate.edu/fooddrive5k15k-1402479

Heads up! The Pleco and Levels of Growing Stock Harvests are now complete.Note that portions of Dave's Trail, Powder Hou...
01/05/2024

Heads up! The Pleco and Levels of Growing Stock Harvests are now complete.

Note that portions of Dave's Trail, Powder House Trail, and Section 36 Trail are still closed for post-harvest repair. We will notify you as soon as those trail sections re-open.

View our interactive webmap here: https://cf.forestry.oregonstate.edu/harvest-webmap

Fog-filled day turns inTo the longest, darkest night. Soon, the light returns. 🌲✨🌲🌞🌲Thank you to everyone who came to ou...
12/22/2023

Fog-filled day turns in
To the longest, darkest night.
Soon, the light returns.

🌲✨🌲🌞🌲

Thank you to everyone who came to our Winter Solstice Celebration! We had a great time in the Forest and hope you did, too.

On this, the official Winter Solstice, we are looking forward to new opportunities in education and outreach for the Forest Discovery program, and future fun events both in the light and the dark. Stay tuned for updates!

Whether in quiet solitude, or connection with the people you love, we hope you can find time to spend in the forest this winter.

- Your Forest Discovery Outreach Assistant

All of us at the Research Forest hope you have a wonderful holiday! Check out our winter newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/...
12/15/2023

All of us at the Research Forest hope you have a wonderful holiday! Check out our winter newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/oregonstate.edu/sepnewsletter2023-1402387

Is this edition, we highlight recent published research, silent auction to support trails, new trail issue report form, staff updates, and so much more!

🎄✨📸: Research Forest staff in our holiday best 🎄✨

Address

8692 NW Peavy Arboretum Road
Corvallis, OR
97330

Opening Hours

Monday 5am - 9pm
Tuesday 5am - 9pm
Wednesday 5am - 9pm
Thursday 5am - 9pm
Friday 5am - 9pm
Saturday 5am - 9pm
Sunday 5am - 9pm

Telephone

+15417374452

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