BMFP Researcher Dr. James Johnston Wins Regional Forester’s Partnership Award!
Dr. Johnston has been involved with the Blue Mountains Forest Partners for more than a decade by providing the forest collaborative and the Malheur National Forest with rigorous, place-based monitoring data, research, and synthesis on dry forest dynamics, disturbance processes, efficacy of ecological forestry restoration practices, and causes of mortality of mature and old growth trees on the Malheur National Forest among other relevant scientific information. Dr. Johnston’s work has provided local Forest Service managers with actionable information on how to increase ...
Study: Thinning aids forest health
Mechanical thinning is helping to improve the health and resiliency of seasonally dry forests in Eastern Oregon, according to research by Oregon State University.
For the last decade, a team of scientists led by James Johnston, assistant professor in the College of Forestry at OSU, has trekked into a rugged area of the Malheur National Forest north of Burns to study the environmental effects of one thinning project.
What they found was that cutting down some younger trees resulted in greater biodiversity and made older, larger trees more resistant to drought and disease, ...
Efforts to restore federal forests in Eastern Oregon are working, OSU research shows
Forest thinning is improving the robustness of older trees and enhancing native biodiversity on federal lands in Eastern Oregon, evidence that collaborative efforts to restore forests are working, research by Oregon State University shows. The study, led by James Johnston of the OSU College of Forestry, involved long-term monitoring and research partnerships between OSU, the U.S. Forest Service and local groups in Oregon’s Blue Mountains.
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Running a sawmill in Eastern Oregon in 2023
Malheur Lumber Company in John Day used to be one of many mills in Grant County. By 2012, though, it was the last one and came very close to closing its doors for good. Then, the U. S. Forest Service agreed to increase restoration logging in Malheur National Forest, and that contract kept the mill going. Now, Malheur Lumber is one of three mills in Grant County. We talk about the ups and downs of the timber industry with Rich Fulton, General Manager of Malheur Lumber Company, and Wanda Rassmussen, Chief Operating Officer for Ochoco Lumber, which owns Malheur Lumber ...
Logging plans for some Eastern Oregon forests may now prioritize wildlife
Some loggers headed in to cut down trees in the Blue Mountains may soon be prioritizing habitat over board feet. That’s because Blue Mountains Forest Partners, a group of stakeholders including loggers, environmentalists, ranchers, landowners, timber industry representatives, elected officials and federal land managers, has just finalized a new draft of what’s called a wildlife habitat zone of agreement. The plan takes a wildlife-centric perspective to forest management, trying to address habitat needs of species when considering which trees to cut. Mark Webb, the ...
Film screening highlights fire danger
Screening of documentary "The West is Burning" highlights fire danger and community problem-solving in Sisters Country
To help dry forests, fire needs to be just the right intensity, and happen more than once
New research from Oregon State University: "Too hot, too cold, or just right: Can wildfire restore dry forests of the interior Pacific Northwest?"
Two Oregon landscapes selected for FY23 Joint Chief’s Landscape Restoration Partnership funding
Two projects in Oregon will receive funding as part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Join Chiefs' Landscape Restoration Partnership initiative, including the North Wasco All Lands project and the Southern Blues Restoration project. The projects aim to mitigate wildfire risk, improve water quality, restore forest ecosystems, combat climate change, and create job opportunities for local contractors while supporting the economies of surrounding areas. Both projects align with broader efforts to reduce wildfire threats to communities and landowners, protect water quality and supply, and improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species.
Southern Blues Restoration project awarded funding from Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership
BMFP participated with other partners to develop this Joint Chiefs proposal for the Southern Blues Restoration project on the Malheur National Forest, and we're excited for the opportunities it will provide to perform restoration work on public and private lands in Grant County.
Press release: MERKLEY, CRAPO TEAM UP TO EXPAND COLLABORATIVE FOREST WORK
“Since its enactment, the Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program has demonstrated resounding success in building partnerships, restoring large landscapes, and providing rural community socioeconomic well-being. WELC is pleased to support reauthorization and expansion of this incredible program, and Senators Merkley and Crapo are to be commended for their steadfast advocacy for the Program,” said Susan Brown, Wildlands Program Director & Senior Staff Attorney of Western Environmental Law Center.