Imagine stepping into a forest and exploring the wonders of Oregon’s landscapes without ever leaving the classroom. A virtual reality program, offered by OSU Forestry and Natural Resources Extension, is offering high school students, career seekers and new logging employees a chance to do just that, transforming the way they learn about forestry and opening the door to an exciting career in one of Oregon’s most vital industries. “The ‘Virtual Canopy’ program offers an innovative solution to address key challenges faced by Oregon’s forest sector, like workforce shortages, recruitment issues and safety concerns,” said Lauren Grand, associate professor of practice and Lane County Extension agent. “By using virtual reality technology, we can create a safe and interactive training environment while exposing a more diverse group of people to the career opportunities available to them in forestry, especially for those who may not be considering higher education.” Oregon’s forest sector is a cornerstone of the state’s economy and community, contributing to the third-largest GDP in Oregon and producing nearly 50% of the nation’s lumber and plywood. However, the industry faces significant challenges, including an aging workforce, declining recruitment, and the need for safer, more engaging training methods. Logging remains one of the most dangerous professions in the state, with fatality rates higher than any other occupation, underscoring the critical need for innovative safety education and workforce development initiatives. By integrating safety education with career exposure, the Virtual Canopy program promotes forest sector career pathways, including those that do not require a college degree, while working to reduce potential injuries or dangerous situations. This program is designed to be portable and scalable with training sessions available in classrooms, career fairs and workplaces. OSU Extension currently houses 20 VR headsets for educator use, with additional units deployed by industry partners like the Associated Oregon Loggers, Inc., and the OSU College of Forestry for recruitment and training events. The program is already showing signs of success, with eight out of 10 participants reporting that they learned new information about forestry careers and seven out of 10 finding the experience engaging and expressing a desire to participate again. Notably, the program has no significant differences in engagement based on prior forestry experience or gender, making it a versatile tool for reaching a diverse audience. “The future of forestry depends on a skilled workforce and accessible pathways to stable, safe, well-paying careers,” said Grand. “By combining career exposure, safety education and innovative training methods, ‘Virtual Canopy’ brings workforce development and opportunity directly to people so that we can support the growth of Oregon’s forestry sector.” Key components of the Virtual Canopy VR experience include: Career Scenarios Participants engage in gamified simulations of forestry jobs such as harvester operator, choker setter and truck loader. These scenarios not only teach safety lessons but also allow users to perform tasks in a risk-free, controlled setting. Explore Mode A self-paced, flexible exploration of forest ecosystems and logging job sites catering to different learning styles, especially those averse to structured tasks. Glossary Resource An in-depth glossary of forestry terms with visual aids, helping users become familiar with industry terminology. 9 FOCUS - SPRING 2025
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