Public invited to presentation on Elliott State Research Forest financial analysis, Dec. 21

By Steve Lundeberg, OSU release – CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University will host a public information session on Tuesday, Dec. 21, to discuss a budget model for management of the Elliott State Forest as the publicly owned Elliott State Research Forest. The OSU College of Forestry’s Shannon Murray, program director for the Elliott State Research Forest, will present a recent financial analysis and cost-estimate models, including projected startup costs and ongoing expenses for a research forest. After Murray’s presentation there will be a question-and-answer session moderated by Paul Odenthal, Oregon State’s senior associate vice president for administration. The virtual event will start at 5:30 p.m. Three years ago, Oregon’s State Land Board asked OSU and the Department of State Lands to examine the potential for the 82,000-acre Elliott forest, situated in the Coast Range near Reedsport, to be managed by Oregon State. Since then, the university has worked with the Department of State Lands and many stakeholder groups and community members to develop a proposed vision for turning the forest into a world-class research location while also incorporating important public values such as recreation, conservation, education, and the local economy. Over the past three years, efforts have included the work of an OSU-led exploratory committee; extensive input from an advisory committee of stakeholders convened by the Department of State Lands; multiple public forums; and conversations with tribal governments, local governments, stakeholder groups and other interested Oregonians. To learn more about the Elliott State Forest and the research forest exploratory process, visit the Department of State Lands and OSU websites.