2000s 2010s 2020s 7 FOCUS - SPRING 2026 2000–2020s: Managing growing demands In 2005, the College of Forestry adopted a new forest management plan that established a more detailed framework for balancing multiple objectives. The plan reaffirmed the forest’s role as a working research and demonstration forest while emphasizing outcomebased management across research, teaching, timber production and recreation. After the Great Recession exposed financial limits, the plan was suspended in 2009, and the forest was managed through annual work plans until a new collaboratively developed plan was completed in 2025. Read more about the new plan on pages 8–9. Explore a more in-depth timeline of the McDonald Research Forest at: beav.es/McDonald100 ONE FOREST INSPIRED A STATEWIDE NETWORK The McDonald-Dunn Forest is not just a living laboratory and recreation hub — it’s the backbone of Oregon State University’s statewide network of research forests. The College of Forestry stewards 10 research and demonstration forests across the state of Oregon, comprising nearly 18,000 combined acres. This network connects students, researchers, Extension practitioners and communities in shared learning and discovery. The forests vary in size, terrain and location, and not all are equipped to provide public access for recreation. However, each forest is thoughtfully stewarded to balance research, demonstration, harvest and aesthetics as part of the college’s carefully managed sustainable working forest model. A foundational College of Forestry principle is that the research forests must be selfsustaining. Funds required for management of the forests are not provided by the College of Forestry, Oregon State University, the State of Oregon or by taxpayers. Instead, revenue generated through sustainable timber harvest is reinvested in the forests. Virtually all expenses underpin research opportunities, as harvest expenses, staff salaries and forest regeneration activities all contribute to the conditions required for research to occur. With OSU’s recent acquisition of the Tualatin Mountain Forest just north of Portland, the stewardship process is beginning anew. Read more about OSU’s statewide network of research forests at: beav.es/SHc 5 6 2005: Forest Plan updated for McDonald-Dunn 2013: Get Outdoors Day K-12 outreach program created 2009: Great Recession results in suspension of 2005 plan 2018: Lewisburg Saddle entry point expanded to improve access 2020: Collaborative process for new forest plan begins
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