Federal Forest Restoration Program Update: Activities and Outcomes

Abstract

4 pagesThe Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Federal Forest Restoration Program (FFRP) enters the new year with structural changes and new investments, strengthening its ability to deliver work on the ground. The program transitioned from ODF’s Forest Resources Division to the State Forests Division to better align how the department plans and implements forest stewardship across ownerships. This move also expands the program’s access to in-house expertise, including road specialists, biologists, and planners. In the new biennium, the program will also focus on measuring progress toward resilience outcomes within priority watersheds identified in the 20-year landscape resilience strategy. As a pilot effort, ODF, the University of Oregon’s Ecosystem Workforce Program, and Oregon State University’s Institute for Natural Resources will conduct landscape evaluations across six watersheds with high restoration need and a high proportion of federal forest ownership. Findings will be used to describe current conditions and establish recommended treatment types and targets, enabling future actions to be measured against defined goals. Finally, the FFRP will reoffer the Forest Collaborative Grant opportunity with an expanded scope. In addition to supporting zones of agreement development, grants will now support collective action forest partnerships, reflecting the evolving role of forest collaboratives in Oregon while ensuring investments continue to advance the program’s mission.Funded by Oregon Department of Forestry