F O R E S T S A N D W O O D L A N D S
THE URBAN FOREST
Trees are indicators of a community's ecological health. While urban
ecology is more complex than just tree cover, (it is technically
green infrastructure) trees are good indicators of the health of an
urban ecosystem because of the biological functions of the roots
and leaves. When trees are large and healthy, the ecological
systems that support them are also healthy. Healthy trees provide
valuable environmental benefits which can be measured in terms of
ecosystem services. The greater the tree cover and the less the
impervious surface in a community, the more ecosystem services
are produced. These services are measured as stormwater runoff
reduction, increasing air and water quality, carbon storage and energy
reduction. Enter Urban Forest to read more!
ECOSYSTEM ANALYSIS OF THE WILLAMETTE AND LOWER COLUMBIA REGION
Excerpted from Region Ecosystem Analysis for the Willamette/Lower Columbia Region of Northwestern Oregon / Southwestern Washington State
See full pdf report at www.americanforests.org
American Forests conducted a Regional Ecosystem Analysis of the Willamette/Lower Columbia Region with the support of the US Forest Service, the state forestry agencies of Oregon and Washington and 9 municipal governments in the study area to determine how the landscape has changed over time. The study area covered more than 7 million acres--and included urban areas from Vancouver, WA in the north to Eugene, OR in the south. The study also included the Portland metropolitan area. Utilizing data from Landsat satellite images, the analysis assessed the change of landcover and its associated values spanning a 28 year period from 1972 to 2000.
In addition to measuring tree cover, this study calculates the ecological benefits of trees.
Existing tree cover in the region provides billions of dollars in stormwater management
services, air quality benefits, and energy savings. Furthermore, trees provide an
invaluable service by cooling the spawning streams of the regions's endangered fish.
Abundant tree cover on the land reduces polution in the rivers. Trees can intercept
much of the stormwater runoff from the region carrying industrial, commercial, and
agricultural pollutants. By increasing tree cover, stormwater runoff will be reduced,
improving water quality, reducing erosion, and reducing the cost of stormwater
management.
OREGON'S FOREST FACTBOOK AND SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY PRACTICES
Of the 62 million acres of land in Oregon, some 28 million acres - or 45 percent - are classified as forestland. Over the past four centuries, the amount of forestland in the state has remained fairly constant, with about 8 percent having been lost to human development - agriculture, urban growth, highways, electric transmission lines and other infrastructure - since Europeans first visited the Northwest. The federal government owns 57 percent of Oregon's forestland.
Total Forestland: Today vs Yesterday
There are various types of Forests in Oregon for every region the state has from the ocean with its salty air, to the coastal hills down into the valleys, over to the Cascade Mountain range and into eastern Oregon which is dry and arid land. The spruce-hemlock forests along the Pacific Coast give way to the Douglas-fir zone that surrounds the Willamette Valley and extends well into the Cascades. Growing above 4,500 feet in the Cascade, Siskiyou and Wallowa mountains are the subalpine forests, a combination of several tree species. Mixed-conifer forests are found in southwestern Oregon and, although dominated by conifers, contain hardwoods as well. The forests of the drier east side of Oregon are primarily ponderosa and lodgepole pine, with mixed conifers.
Identifying the most common trees in Oregon
Protecting Oregon's Forests
The Oregon Forest Practices Act
In 1971, Oregon became the first state to enact a set of comprehensive laws governing the practice of forestry. A prime example of Oregon’s many innovative public policies, the Oregon Forest Practices Act sets standards for any harvesting of trees—whether by a large, commercial landowner or a family forest owner—and most forest-related management operations on Oregon forestland. Among other things, OFPA restricts the size of clearcuts, sets standards for road construction and maintenance, requires reforestation and provides for the protection of streams and habitat for fish and wildlife.
Read the full scope of the Oregon Forest Practices Act
We feel that these are sustainable practices IF they are adhered to in every aspect of forestry operations. Being citizens in the Willamette Valley all our lives, we have seen whole hillsides completely barren of any trees for what seems like miles. It is this type of action in our forests that would seem to require a watchful eye from the concerned citizens to be certain that the forest land is kept sustainable for future generations. It is our hope that you will find this a worthy area to become involved with in some way.
Destructive Wood Industries Practices
Environmental Impact
<>Clear cutting destroying all living
habitats for the complete cycle
of the eco-system, including fish
spawning creeks, and polluting
watersheds.
<>Air pollution from wood products
industry
<>Water and soil pollution from industry
waste streams
Restoring Healthy Salmon, Wildlife Habitat, and Improving Watershed Health
The Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds is a unique, grassroots conservation strategy that goes beyond regulation to encourage voluntary, proactive restoration efforts. Individually and through some 100 local watershed councils across the state, volunteers from the forestry, agricultural and conservation communities have worked
independently and with state and municipal agencies.
See the Restoration Work in the Forest
At Sustainable Life, we are very concerned about and encourage volunteers for specific restoration work in some of our forests, especially where human traffic has brought seeds and pollens of certain invasive plants into the area. Our research clearly indicates there is a tremendous need to remove invasive English Ivy, Himalayan Blackberries, Scotch Broom, and many other plants that are literally destroying our trees and natural forest habitat. Most common invasive species of Oregon
Check out our new invasive species page: www.sustainablelife.info/invasivespecies.html
THE URBAN FOREST
Trees are indicators of a community's ecological health. While urban
ecology is more complex than just tree cover, (it is technically
green infrastructure) trees are good indicators of the health of an
urban ecosystem because of the biological functions of the roots
and leaves. When trees are large and healthy, the ecological
systems that support them are also healthy. Healthy trees provide
valuable environmental benefits which can be measured in terms of
ecosystem services. The greater the tree cover and the less the
impervious surface in a community, the more ecosystem services
are produced. These services are measured as stormwater runoff
reduction, increasing air and water quality, carbon storage and energy
reduction. Enter Urban Forest to read more!
ECOSYSTEM ANALYSIS OF THE WILLAMETTE AND LOWER COLUMBIA REGION
Excerpted from Region Ecosystem Analysis for the Willamette/Lower Columbia Region of Northwestern Oregon / Southwestern Washington State
See full pdf report at www.americanforests.org
American Forests conducted a Regional Ecosystem Analysis of the Willamette/Lower Columbia Region with the support of the US Forest Service, the state forestry agencies of Oregon and Washington and 9 municipal governments in the study area to determine how the landscape has changed over time. The study area covered more than 7 million acres--and included urban areas from Vancouver, WA in the north to Eugene, OR in the south. The study also included the Portland metropolitan area. Utilizing data from Landsat satellite images, the analysis assessed the change of landcover and its associated values spanning a 28 year period from 1972 to 2000.
In addition to measuring tree cover, this study calculates the ecological benefits of trees.
Existing tree cover in the region provides billions of dollars in stormwater management
services, air quality benefits, and energy savings. Furthermore, trees provide an
invaluable service by cooling the spawning streams of the regions's endangered fish.
Abundant tree cover on the land reduces polution in the rivers. Trees can intercept
much of the stormwater runoff from the region carrying industrial, commercial, and
agricultural pollutants. By increasing tree cover, stormwater runoff will be reduced,
improving water quality, reducing erosion, and reducing the cost of stormwater
management.
OREGON'S FOREST FACTBOOK AND SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY PRACTICES
Of the 62 million acres of land in Oregon, some 28 million acres - or 45 percent - are classified as forestland. Over the past four centuries, the amount of forestland in the state has remained fairly constant, with about 8 percent having been lost to human development - agriculture, urban growth, highways, electric transmission lines and other infrastructure - since Europeans first visited the Northwest. The federal government owns 57 percent of Oregon's forestland.
Total Forestland: Today vs Yesterday
There are various types of Forests in Oregon for every region the state has from the ocean with its salty air, to the coastal hills down into the valleys, over to the Cascade Mountain range and into eastern Oregon which is dry and arid land. The spruce-hemlock forests along the Pacific Coast give way to the Douglas-fir zone that surrounds the Willamette Valley and extends well into the Cascades. Growing above 4,500 feet in the Cascade, Siskiyou and Wallowa mountains are the subalpine forests, a combination of several tree species. Mixed-conifer forests are found in southwestern Oregon and, although dominated by conifers, contain hardwoods as well. The forests of the drier east side of Oregon are primarily ponderosa and lodgepole pine, with mixed conifers.
Identifying the most common trees in Oregon
Protecting Oregon's Forests
The Oregon Forest Practices Act
In 1971, Oregon became the first state to enact a set of comprehensive laws governing the practice of forestry. A prime example of Oregon’s many innovative public policies, the Oregon Forest Practices Act sets standards for any harvesting of trees—whether by a large, commercial landowner or a family forest owner—and most forest-related management operations on Oregon forestland. Among other things, OFPA restricts the size of clearcuts, sets standards for road construction and maintenance, requires reforestation and provides for the protection of streams and habitat for fish and wildlife.
Read the full scope of the Oregon Forest Practices Act
We feel that these are sustainable practices IF they are adhered to in every aspect of forestry operations. Being citizens in the Willamette Valley all our lives, we have seen whole hillsides completely barren of any trees for what seems like miles. It is this type of action in our forests that would seem to require a watchful eye from the concerned citizens to be certain that the forest land is kept sustainable for future generations. It is our hope that you will find this a worthy area to become involved with in some way.
Destructive Wood Industries Practices
Environmental Impact
<>Clear cutting destroying all living
habitats for the complete cycle
of the eco-system, including fish
spawning creeks, and polluting
watersheds.
<>Air pollution from wood products
industry
<>Water and soil pollution from industry
waste streams
Restoring Healthy Salmon, Wildlife Habitat, and Improving Watershed Health
The Oregon Plan for Salmon and Watersheds is a unique, grassroots conservation strategy that goes beyond regulation to encourage voluntary, proactive restoration efforts. Individually and through some 100 local watershed councils across the state, volunteers from the forestry, agricultural and conservation communities have worked
independently and with state and municipal agencies.
See the Restoration Work in the Forest
At Sustainable Life, we are very concerned about and encourage volunteers for specific restoration work in some of our forests, especially where human traffic has brought seeds and pollens of certain invasive plants into the area. Our research clearly indicates there is a tremendous need to remove invasive English Ivy, Himalayan Blackberries, Scotch Broom, and many other plants that are literally destroying our trees and natural forest habitat. Most common invasive species of Oregon
Check out our new invasive species page: www.sustainablelife.info/invasivespecies.html
BRIGHT MIND
HEALTHY BODY
S U S T A I N A B L E P L A N E T
HEALTHY BODY
S U S T A I N A B L E P L A N E T
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Recreation in some of the most beautiful areas of Oregon's Forests are being maintained under the watchful eye of the Forestry Department and concerned citizens working together to keep the flow of traffic in and out of these areas orderly and with much awareness of how we can enjoy these areas with minimal impact on the environment.
This beautiful picture is the main waterfall in Silver Creek Falls Park, which boasts many falls within the borders of the park. There are many scenic trails to view each waterfall, some easy to moderate and others somewhat difficult in its hilly terrain. All is beautiful.
For maps and general information, click here
OTHER INTERESTING RELATED LINKS:
Nature of the Northwest
Thousand Friends of Oregon
American Forests
Audubon Society of Portland
Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics
Friends of Trees
top of page
Sustainable Life Info Copyright © 2006-2008 DLH Business Associates.
All Rights Reserved.
This beautiful picture is the main waterfall in Silver Creek Falls Park, which boasts many falls within the borders of the park. There are many scenic trails to view each waterfall, some easy to moderate and others somewhat difficult in its hilly terrain. All is beautiful.
For maps and general information, click here
OTHER INTERESTING RELATED LINKS:
Nature of the Northwest
Thousand Friends of Oregon
American Forests
Audubon Society of Portland
Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics
Friends of Trees
top of page
Sustainable Life Info Copyright © 2006-2008 DLH Business Associates.
All Rights Reserved.
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Willlamette River at Champoeg Park
Mt. Hood and Hood River in OR
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Logging Effect on Drinking Water Raises Concern
FALLS CITY, Ore. (AP) -- Logging on private land that muddied drinking water for this small Coast Range town has raised concerns about rules to protect that water. City workers had to shut off the intake to the water treatment plant to prevent clogging its filters or sending dirty water through faucets, and the reservoir that holds the drinking water for roughly 1,000 residents was drawn down over eight days.
FALLS CITY, Ore. (AP) -- Logging on private land that muddied drinking water for this small Coast Range town has raised concerns about rules to protect that water. City workers had to shut off the intake to the water treatment plant to prevent clogging its filters or sending dirty water through faucets, and the reservoir that holds the drinking water for roughly 1,000 residents was drawn down over eight days.
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