Pacific Northwest Research Station

National Gathering to Discuss Experimental Forests

USDA Forest Service

Pacific Northwest Research Station

H.J. Andrews: October 9, 2002

NATIONAL GATHERING TO DISCUSS EXPERIMENTAL FORESTS

H.J. ANDREWS: OCTOBER 9, 2002

PORTLAND, Ore. October 9, 2002. The H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest is the site of the first national workshop about the future of the Forest Service's 240,000-plus acres of experimental forest and range lands. About 70 research program managers and scientists from throughout the United States and Puerto Rico are coming together October 22 to 24 to enhance research programs and applications of science findings to societal needs.

The Andrews Experimental Forest, established in 1948, is a "living laboratory" for innovative research. It is here where the early work on old-growth forests and the northern spotted owl began. It is also here where watershed studies produced findings to help protect the Nation's water supply.

"There are more than 80 experimental forests and ranges throughout the United States and Puerto Rico," explains Sarah Greene, research coordinator and organizer of the national meeting. "The first one was the Fort Valley Experimental Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona. It was established in 1908, although the big push to establish experimental forests was between 1931 and 1969."

"The forests, created for research, teaching, and demonstration," Greene continues, "are some of the only places in the National Forest System where research plots can be protected for the long term--ensuring a continuous flow of long-term data--the only way to really begin to understand environmental trends."

Field Tour Information

A field trip in the Andrews Experimental Forest for science writers and reporters is scheduled for the day before the national meeting opens to showcase the type of research that often occurs in an experimental forest. The Andrews Experimental Forest covers 15,000 acres. It is located in Oregon's Willamette National Forest.

Come join scientists on a field trip, Monday, October 21, in the Andrews Experimental Forest to see and learn about some of the new research including:

· Watershed studies that are helping alter management to protect the Nation's water supply. A data network made up of information from experimental forests across the country is being used to assess the impacts of climate change and management on our water.
· Long-term studies on how forests develop are providing knowledge to managers about how to alter management practices to help foster and speed the development of traits found in older forests into new forests.

The field tour begins at 12 p.m. and will conclude at 3 p.m. Wear rain gear, wear boots or tennis shoes, and bring a sack lunch. The average temperature in October is 47 degrees, with a high of 65 and a low of 35.

Please let us know if you will be joining the tour. Contact Sherri Richardson-Dodge at 503.808.2137. Contact phone number on day of the tour is 541.822.6303 or 6300.

Shuttle to the site:
A shuttle van is leaving the Corvallis Forestry Sciences Laboratory for the Andrews Experimental Forest the day of the tour. Ask Richardson-Dodge for details.

Driving directions to the Andrews:

The forest is about a 1-hour drive east of Eugene, Oregon. About 3 miles east of the town of Blue River on Oregon Highway 126, turn left (north) onto Forest Service (FS) road 15. Drive about 4.5 miles on road 15 and turn right (east) onto FS road 130. Bear right at the Y in the road (about 0.5 miles) onto FS road 132. See sign for the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest. Follow the road to the headquarters building and parking lot.

For more information about the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, go to http://www.fsl.orst.edu/lter.

About the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest

The H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest is a leader in the analysis of forest and stream ecosystem dynamics and is a part of the National Science Foundation Long Term Ecological Research Program. Nestled in the central Cascade Range of Oregon, the Andrews Experimental Forest is a living laboratory that provides unparalleled opportunities for the study of forest and stream ecosystems. Long-term field experiments and measurement programs focus on old and young forests, floods, fire, landslides, and other forest disturbances. Research also includes the role of forests in carbon sequestration, water quality, and related themes. The USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station; Oregon State University; and the Willamette National Forest cooperatively administer the Andrews Experimental Forest. Funding comes from the National Science Foundation, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Oregon State University, and other sources.