Community Forest and Open Space Program: An Oregon Project

Thurston Hills – Springfield, Oregon

Community forest with Springfield at left

Why a Community Forest? Habitat protection and restoration Hiking, wildlife viewing Regional trail and habitat connections Compatible uses, e.g. mountain biking, equestrian Environmental education and volunteer stewardship Forestry Smart growth

Rivers to Ridges – regional open space vision

Partnership with Willamalane Park and Recreation District Secured properties (approx. $8m) Conservation Finance Leveraged bond funds How

Community Benefits: economic, environmental, educational, and recreational Medium: “lacked specificity in describing how the community would benefit” Public Participation Low: steering committee TBD; no current engagement Strategic Connection to Landscape Conservation Low: “could have better articulated the project area’s connection to a landscape scale initiative;” value depended on completion of phase II Threat of Conversion to Non-Forest Use Medium: immediate threat low, increasing over time He We Scored

Great partners in USFS Make sure it’s a community forest! Hard to build competitive project while managing community expectations Matching funds can be complicated Tight timing for Community Forest Plan Coordination and partnership = landscape success Celebrate! Lessons

Thank you