Applegater., May 01, 2012, Page 5, Image 5

Applegater Spring 2012 5
Update on Williams
Community Forest Project
White Oak Farm & Education Center
BY chErYL BruNEr
BY tAYLor StArr
It has been a year since the Williams
community learned that 320 acres located
just below Grayback Mountain was
scheduled to be clear-cut. The land, of
great value to the Williams community
because of its many streams, recreation
opportunities, animal habitat and healthy
forest, was identified by the community to
be important enough to be purchased for
a community forest.
The Williams Community Forest
Project (WCFP), a nonprofit organization,
began the movement to acquire the 320
acres of forest through a fundraising
campaign. Significant funds have been
raised, but not yet a sufficient amount to
purchase the property from the private
landowner who is from Idaho. Although
in February the owner began clear-cutting,
the community still is continuing to
fundraise to purchase the property, with
the intent of creating a community forest.
WCFP’s interest in community
forests was born from the concern that
clear-cutting and herbicide use in forests
are creating a decline in coho salmon
populations, heavy spring runoff and
degradation in forest and stream health.
This is evidenced by increased fire danger
and insect infestation, rising stream
temperatures and dying trees. In addition,
local organic farms are at risk from
herbicide use on upstream forestlands.
Forests managed ecologically
can contribute to clean air and water,
can mitigate fire danger, and protect
endangered and threatened species and
habitat. Community forests also offer an
economic and social advantage to the local
community. An example on the west coast is
the Arcata Community Forest in northern
California, which has been in existence
since 1955. Mark Andre, Arcata City
forester, in his book, Human Dimensions
of Ecological Restoration: Integrating Science,
Nature and Culture, wrote the following:
“Management for the community forest is
guided by the city of Arcata (population
16,900) government leaders, the city
technical advisory committee, and local
citizens...have expressed commitments to
a sustainable management program that
serves as a model of a managed forest for
demonstration and educational purposes.
Through volunteer activities, the citizenry
is involved in an adaptive management
approach to increase biodiversity,
accelerate old forest conditions, provide
late-successional forest habitat, and
sequester carbon while providing revenue.
Community forestry in Arcata is designed
to provide local residents the opportunity
and responsibility to manage their natural
resources.”
Another great source of information
on community forests is the publication
from the Communities Committee in
2008 titled “Acquiring and Managing a
Community-Owned Forest, a Manual for
Communities.” The publication lists the
following as benefits of a community forest:
“…protecting water sources, providing
wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation,
educational opportunities, demonstration
of sustainable forest management practices,
income from forestry activities or forest
products for community use, and heat
and/or energy for local schools and other
public buildings.”
WCFP objectives include establishing
an ecological model for timber management
that will be an educational venue for
southern Oregon K-12 grades, trade
schools, colleges and universities. Because
of the challenges of climate change, new
ways of managing our forests are required.
A community forest will provide a training
ground for research and learning that will
benefit people of all ages and communities.
Adults and children can learn how well-
managed forests provide clean water,
protect wildlife and its habitat, promote
biodiversity and create sustainability.
There is also the potential for creating a
sustainable rural economy by developing
markets, processes and businesses that
utilize the forest and its products. Local
residents would have the opportunity to
utilize ecologically harvested forest by-
products for building, crafting, firewood,
energy and food production. Increasing
recreational opportunities in the forest,
such as hiking, biking, horse trails and
environmental education will also bring
economic opportunities to the valley.
The southern Oregon community
has a wonderful opportunity to create an
ecologically managed community forest
and a sustainable local economy.
Donations are critical to securing
the W320 property. To donate or to
learn more about the Williams
Community Forest Project, visit www.
williamscommunityforestproject.org.
Cheryl Bruner, President, WCFP
info@williamscommunityforestproject.org
Food and fun down on the farm
Nestled in a quiet corner of the
Williams Valley, White Oak Farm &
Education Center is a working organic
farm and a sustainable-living education
center. The farm was established as a
nonprofit educational organization in
2002 with the help of the Equity Trust, a
national land trust group.
Here on the land, staff and volunteers
spend time managing the gardens, fields
and forests, hosting local school groups and
summer camps for children, and teaching
adult workshops in subjects ranging from
natural building to ecological forestry.
We are blessed with a great teaching farm
with ponds for irrigation, swimming and
wildlife habitat; three acres of organic
gardens, pastures and an orchard with over
40 fruit tree varieties; diverse woods for
hiking; and a straw-bale farmhouse. The
farm is also home to flocks of chickens and
turkeys, a small herd of goats and sheep,
and many thousands of honeybees.
Over the last decade we have had the
opportunity to welcome many busloads
of children to the Farm from schools
throughout the Rogue Valley. We have
been extremely fortunate to work with
Tim Franklin and the Applegate River
Watershed Council for the last five years
to bring classes from Williams Elementary
to the farm for field trips focused on
watershed health and salmon-friendly
farming.
Some may wonder how farming and
fish are connected, but as hundreds of
students could tell you, how we treat the
land impacts our rivers and streams in so
many ways. During field trips, children
learn about water cycles, native plants
and soil science, while also having time to
meet our farm animals and play the class
favorite, high-energy “Salmon Game.”
Since Tim Franklin’s tragic passing this
winter, we have redoubled our efforts to
continue this great program in his honor
by reaching out to include a broader range
of schools. In 2012 we will even be hosting
our first three-day residential school field
trip as a part of the Healthy Watersheds
Program.
This summer we are also looking
forward to an exciting schedule of Farm
Camps. We will be welcoming children
from 5 - 12 years of age to White Oak
for a week of farming, food, fun and
friends. Farm Camps are an opportunity
for children to experience the wild and
domestic life of a small farm, from milking
goats and tending to chickens, to making
garlic braids, fishing poles, and other
nature-based crafts. We also find time to
hunt for lizards, catch fish, play games,
tell stories and sing songs. Since farms
are all about fresh food, campers also get
to harvest, cook and eat straight from the
garden. Kitchen adventures range from
corn bread and pizza to homemade ice
cream. Maybe this spring or summer we’ll
see your child at the Farm for a school visit
or camp. We certainly hope so!
Check out our website at www.
whiteoakfarmcsa.org for more information
on the Farm and all our programs, or
email us at info@whiteoakfarmcsa.org.
Come and visit us at the Williams Farmers
Market, Mondays at the Grange from 4 -
6:30 pm starting in June.
Taylor Starr
541-846-0776
info@whiteoakfarmcsa.org