Woodland Stewardship

We promote Woodland Stewardship by working with the local Small Woodlands Association Chapter, providing educational opportunities and support for addressing best practices and challenges of small woodland management.

We continue to explore non-traditional forest product opportunities in northeast Oregon; work with the Wallowa Whitman National Forest to establish and support multi-party monitoring capacity across the East Face treatment area and within the Baker City Watershed; and develop model woodland management approaches that include ongoing classroom outdoor educational opportunities.

Wildlife-Friendly Fencing

Host: Maurizo Valerio

In 2021, interns removed barbed wire fencing from the Valerio Ranch. Barbed wire can be harmful to wildlife, creating barriers that prevent species from freely traveling between different areas and increasing the risk of injury.

Removing the barbed wire improves wildlife movement while supporting healthier forest ecosystems.

Interns replaced the barbed wire with a wooden fence constructed from poles sourced from condemned trees. The new fence eliminates the risk of wildlife becoming caught in the wire while still providing an effective boundary.

Fence spacing was designed with wildlife in mind, allowing deer to safely jump over the fence while leaving enough space below for fawns to crawl underneath.

Multiparty Forest Monitoring Plots

Hands-on forest management experience gives interns the opportunity to learn directly from the landscape.

This fully immersive project bolstered interns’ knowledge of forest management. In 2021, 2022, and 2024, interns learned how to identify different tree species and gained experience using forestry tools and technologies.

Interns collected and accurately recorded data for Forest Service monitoring plots. Multiple plots were established, creating an ongoing source of information for research into the growth patterns and development of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.

Woodland Stewardship Sponsors

Our work is made possible through collaboration with organizations committed to healthy forests, working landscapes, and the next generation of natural-resource professionals.