The Tillamook Forest is one of the largest coastal temperate forests in Oregon. It is divided into three districts Astoria, Forest Grove and Tillamook. This reservoir of natural resources provides various products to the people around it. Many streams weave in between the trees providing drinking water to Oregonians and are habitat for the salmon this region. Logging is an important economical resource that is extracted from local forests. Future studies will provide incite to sustainable harvesting techniques and environmentally friendly solutions that can maintain this valuable resource.
This websites goal is to provide an alternative site for the Tillamook Forest Interpretive Center based on GIS.
History
Forest fires are a large concern for the Tillamook forest. During 1930's through till 1940's large fires scorched 355,000 acres of forest that devastated many towns that relied on logging as its main source of economic resource. The destruction also caused loss and disturbance of animal habitats. Ash from the fires settled into the rivers creating uninhabitable for aquatic biota. Although this is a natural process that replenishs nutrients back in the ground, control and management of fires extent will prevent economic depression to occur. The reproduction of the forest was be costly, time consuming and difficult. Land owners at the time were unable to pay their taxes or rehabilitate the forest and were forced to forfeit their land to the Oregon Department of Forestry. The potential sources of seeds used to regenerate the stands were obliterated. The forest was slowly replanted by the surrounding communities. Tree planters and volunteers combined efforts to remove 1.5 million dead trees, 72 million seedlings were planted by hand and 3 million seeds were dropped for helicoptors.
Currently
Today the forest has regenerated spanning 550-square miles and serves as a public space open to recreation, education and sustainable logging practices. Douglas fir was the main species that was planted throughout the land and resulted in a drastic reduction in species variation and removal of native species. Prior to the fires in the area species such as grand fir, western hemlock and western red cedar were native to the area and well adapted to the coastal environment. Since the rehabilitation operation began in such a short period of time ages of trees are relatively the same also reducing the variation. Diversity is key to a healthy resistant stand without the variation in genetic codes the entire stand could once again be wiped out. The forest is also used to inform the public the fragility of the reserve holding educational seminars and opportunities for volunteers to gain knowledge of this natural resource. Future prospect to build a center for educating, inspiring, and informing the public will be completed in 2005.
The Smith Homestead Day Use Area first stage of the forest-wide network was completed in August of 2003. Operated by the Oregon Department of Forestry provide a communal learning center complete with river habitats, hiking trails, washroom facilities, picnic tables, and much more. The design was made to blend into the surroundings occupying 38-acres of the forest land.
Forest Management
Extensive care has been put into this forest. The forest management involves people with specific backgrounds that are combined with other fields to better understand the dynamic area. Specialty in wildlife, geology, hydrology, fishery, recreation and education provide a rich source of knowledge that will provide opportunities for technological advances in the sustainability of social, environment, and economic resources. Many come together in the past to replant the entire forest bringing life back into the area. Today there are lush stands that grow healthy that are the next generation of old growth forests.
Harvesting still occurs in this forest but in a strategically planned method to ensure sustainability, productivity and health of the forest. Natural thinning of trees through fires for example create room for new plants to establish creating variation, removal of fallen logs and adding nutrient rich ash back into the soil. The department of forestry prevents forest fires from naturally occurring. Management is required to thin out stands, prevent complete loss of revenue, and provide economic revenue to the state forest. Methods of logging include "patch cuts" and selective logging. "Patch cuts" are areas that are zoned to be logged. Often selection of stands is to remove diseased stands. Selective logging is preformed to create space for young growth by removing older trees. These methods and others are used in this forest to provide knowledge of productive harvesting procedures.
Recreation
A variety of social activities take place in the Tillamook State Forest such as camping, mountain biking, and fishing. The park has multi-functional trails that provide a scenic view while hiking, mountain biking and riding off-highway vehicles. Through June till October motorized events are held providing entertainment and yet another use for the park. A map of the recent trails can be printed in a 19" x 25" .pdf format Click Here. The campgrounds provide services for day-use that provides parking facilities for park visitors. Hunting and fishing in the area is permitted with certain regulations put out by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Geographic
Information Systems 355
Fall 2004
Simon Fraser University
Doreen Aun
Fall 2004
Simon Fraser University
Doreen Aun