Oregon

Healthy Forests

Sound science and community-based collaboration are the keys to forest health.

Oregon’s forests provide vital habitats, clean water, useful products and jobs. But we’ve allowed unhealthy forest conditions to prevail, threatening severe fire and insect infestations. Nearly 9 million acres of Oregon’s pine forests — mostly on public land — are in urgent need of thinning, controlled burns or other treatments.

The Nature Conservancy is finding solutions at a scale desperately needed. With your generous support, we:

•    Design new technologies to restore forests at a landscape scale.
•    Support collaborative forest groups to build consensus.
•    Demonstrate solutions to serve as models for future, larger projects.
•    Develop tools that offer rural communities opportunities to foster healthier forests.

Explore our work and see how, working together, we can have healthy forests and a thriving economy.

Southwest Oregon Forest RestorationRestoring Southwest Oregon's Forests © Rick McEwan
A Sound Investment

New study reports every $1 million spent healing forests will generate $5.7 million. Learn more

Oregon forests 215x143Forests make up 50% of our state, but many are unhealthy. To address the problem, we’re working to increase forests restoration efforts across Oregon. © Rick McEwan
Trees Spill Secrets

Scientists are studying ancient tree rings to learn the secrets of a fire-resilient forest. Learn more

Marko Bey 215x143Marko Bey © TNC
Forests Grow Jobs

Healthy forests provide a living for many people — including Oregonians like Marko Bey. Read more

Oregon Forest CollaborativesMembers of the Descutes Forest Collaborative at a workshop in Sisters, Oregon. © Amy Waltz/TNC
Restoration Solutions

We're demonstrating the value of restoration across the U.S. with the Forest Service. Read more

Great News for Oregon ForestsPonderosa pines along Oregon’s Sycan River. © Larry N. Olson
Great News!

Forests in Oregon are getting some extra love, thanks to new federal legislation. Read more

China Delegation in OregonDr. Kerry Metlen of The Nature Conservancy shows visiting Chinese forestry and natural area officials the dramatic change in forest composition and density in the absence of fire for a century. © Darren Borgias/The Nature Conservancy
Exporting Conservation

Computers aren't Oregon's only exports to Chinese ports. We share conservation advice, too. Read more

Mark Stern thumbnailMark Stern, Klamath Basin Conservation Director and Oregon Forest Team Lead. © Jen Newlin/TNC
Leading the Way

Mark Stern leads the Conservancy's Oregon forests team. Learn more

Oregon Make a DifferenceNow is the time to invest in a healthy and sustainable Oregon. © Bruce MacGregor
Make a Difference

Be part of the solution for restoring health to Oregon's forests. Donate

Read More

Photo Special Features TabLion in Maasai Mara, Kenya, Africa. © Kenneth K. Coe

Close Encounters with Nature

Whether scary or exciting, nature has a way of sneaking up on you. See stories

Arden OConnor 215x143Arden O’Connor. © Lajla LeBlanc

Nature Matters

Hear some of nature's success stories and see how nature matters to us all. Watch videos

Explore Related Content

New Study:
Forests & Economies
Every $1 million spent to restore Oregon's dry-side forests will generate $5.7 million — and healthier habitat. Get the facts
What You Can Do
You can take simple steps today to help protect and restore the world's forests. Learn more