The Forest Stewards Guild Holds the PNW Guild Gathering at Zena Forest Products

Written by Chanda Littlefield

The Forest Stewards Guild’s Pacific Northwest (PNW) Guild Gathering took place at Zena Forest Products in Rickreall, Oregon on July 31st, with a focus on hardwood management in Western Oregon. Organized and attended by our Pacific Northwest team, Rhiley Albee and Chanda Littlefield, as well as our Great Lakes director, Mike Lynch, the event attracted forestry professionals from across the state. 

The day began with a field tour of the Zena Forest Products forestland, led by Sarah and Ben Deumling. They discussed their approach to Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) management, sharing practical insights into maintaining and enhancing the health of Oregon white oak stands. The tour also included a visit to the Zena Forest Products mill, where Ben Deumling provided a detailed look at the process of manufacturing Oregon white oak flooring. 

After lunch, the gathering continued with three presentations: 

• Mark Miller, formerly of Trout Mountain Forestry, presented on Oregon white oak restoration projects. He focused on the various approaches for restoring oak ecosystems, detailing the processes involved and the factors that make an area suitable for these projects. 

• Lilah Gonen of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) covered management plans for the emerald ash borer and the Mediterranean oak borer, both of which pose significant threats to Oregon’s hardwood forests. 

• Glenn Ahrens from OSU Extension Services and the Hardwood Silviculture Cooperative provided a presentation on red alder (Alnus rubra) management. Attendees learned about the challenges and benefits of managing red alder, a species that often grows where it’s unwanted but has value in timber production and biodiversity. 

Throughout the day, participants engaged in discussions, sharing knowledge and experiences related to hardwood management. The event was a valuable opportunity for forestry professionals to connect and learn from each other. 

The PNW Guild Gathering at Zena Forest Products provided attendees with practical information on current hardwood management practices and challenges in Western Oregon. The Forest Stewards Guild will continue to support these important discussions in future events throughout the PNW. As always, we welcome members and partners to host Guild Gatherings too! We will help promote them widely.