Innovative Models of Forest Stewardship
Innovative Models of Forest Stewardship:
The Science Behind the Management
A Forestry Workshop for Middle and High School Educators
August 7-11, 2006
The Science Education Partnership (SEPS) Program, and the Oregon Forestry Education Program from Oregon State University are co-sponsoring a new natural resource workshop for middle and high school teachers entitled, “Innovative Models of Forest Stewardship: The Science Behind the Management”. The five day workshop will explore a wide range of forest issues and sites, integrating curriculum ideas and activities with the central theme that forests are managed by different landowners with different goals in mind, but are guided by legal and environmental protections in the Oregon Forest Practices Act and the National Forest Management Act. Three graduate credits will be available from OSU’s Science and Math Education Department.
The class will be facilitated by Philomath High School natural resource teacher Jeff Mitchell, who has over twenty years of public school teaching experience in natural resources, and Simon Babcock, who teaches the award winning forestry program at Philomath High School.
Workshop Rationale:
Rural communities in Benton County have histories that continue to be closely tied to the great wealth of natural resources in our region, especially our local forests. An appreciation of the history of past forest practices and how they have contributed to the growth and culture of the area are important to the social identity of these communities. More recently, management of forestland has become a controversial topic. To many, forests are ecosystems that provide us with materials and employment to support a healthy economy. To others, forests are places to recreate, hunt, fish, or renew our spirits. In fact, both are true.
Forests are owned as small woodlands by private owners, by large industrial owners, and b county, state, and federal governments. Each entity has goals, and management procedures to reach them. Each is regulated by a set of laws designed to insure that values such as water quality and wildlife habitat are also considered. In this workshop, we will visit numerous forest sites to experience first hand how forest science is applied to forest stewardship by differing landowners.
Science and technology influence state and federal regulations, which then translate into what are often considered the “best practices” on the ground. As research provides new insights, forest managers adapt. It is important for teachers and students to recognize this link between forest science and forest practices.
In the end, forest management decisions are based on good science and society’s needs and values. This requires open dialogue between foresters and those of us who benefit fro their decisions. Our workshop will begin this discussion.