OSU's $27M Forest Purchase Creates Public Access Near Portland

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OSU Buys 3,110-Acre Forest Near Portland for $27M - What This Means for Hikers, Scientists & Wildlife

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Oregon State University just acquired the Tualatin Mountain Forest, located just 10 miles from Portland, transforming former timber land into a research forest and public recreation area.

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The $27M purchase was funded entirely by grants - $23.5M from the federal Forest Legacy Program and $3.5M from Metro's 2019 Parks and Nature Bond.

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What makes this forest special? It contains 20 miles of creeks that feed into critical salmon habitat, serving as an important wildlife corridor near Oregon's largest city.

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Mountain bikers, listen up! The forest currently has 40 miles of trails that required paid membership - but OSU plans to make many of these trails FREE and open to the public.

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OSU will manage the forest differently than the previous timber company owner. Trees will grow longer before harvesting, with smaller clearcuts to improve forest health and resilience.

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Portland students will gain an outdoor classroom where they'll learn about forestry, ecology, and conservation through hands-on experiences in nature.

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Not everyone supports the deal. Some environmental groups worry about OSU's forest management, pointing to a controversial 2019 incident where the university cut down 16 acres of old-growth trees.

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The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, whose ancestral lands include the forest, will partner with OSU to identify culturally significant areas within the property.

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After 5 years, OSU projects the forest will generate $420,000 annually from sustainable timber harvests while spending $350,000 on management - creating a $70,000 surplus to reinvest in conservation.

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