Oregon Department of State Lands

"One of Sallinger’s last big victories came Oct. 15, when the Oregon State Land Board approved a management plan for the Elliott State Research Forest, bringing to close a major chapter in a contentious and complex seven-year process. Vicki Walker, director of the Department of State Lands, worked closely with Sallinger throughout that process, as well as on an unrelated effort to compel Ross Island Sand & Gravel to reclaim the damage done to Ross Island by more than 75 years of mining and processing rock. 'Bob Sallinger was an Oregon wonder, a human as special as the places and creatures he loved and protected,” Walker says. “Bob’s legacy is all around us. It’s the hoot of the owls in the Elliott State Research Forest, a cannonball into the Willamette River, peregrines dancing across the sky.' Sallinger leaves a giant pair of hiking boots to fill." Excerpt from Nov2 Willamette Week article about the passing of Bob Sallinger. Photo of Bob and Vicki from the Oct15 Land Board meeting where the management plan for the Elliott State Research Forest was approved. 💔

‘Tis the season to talk about scary polluting boats being removed from Oregon waterways! The hydraulic dredge Herb Anderson was part of northwest history before becoming a ghostship*. In July 1980, the 115-foot Herb Anderson took part in the massive task of clearing debris, ash, and silt from the Cowlitz River following the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. In contrast to this important work, the dredge has spent decades deteriorating along the waterfront of Rainier. With paint sloughing off and unknown quantities of oil and other materials onboard, the dredge is an environmental hazard that needs to be mitigated. In June 2024, the Department obtained legal authority to dispose of the dredge. Salvage and disposal are anticipated to take place next month 🤗 *October-only term for an Abandoned and Derelict Vessel

We were thrilled to host the 20th annual Land Board Awards this week where Governor Tina Kotek, Treasurer Tobias Read, and Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade honored people who help Oregon’s wetlands, waters, and lands thrive. Winners included: 💙 The Dalles Dog River Pipeline Replacement which replaced a 112-year-old wooden pipeline while making decisions that benefitted the river, the forest, and the community. Cramer Fish Sciences Bonneville Power Administration  💙 North Fork Walla Walla River Restoration which worked with over 20 partners to restore a key ecological site while providing bilingual opportunities for the public to be informed and participate in the project. Walla Walla Basin Watershed Council 💙 Chad Hoffman who won the Catalyst Award for his stewardship and outreach to student groups for the Quamash Prairie in the southern Willamette Valley. Lane County Government 💙 15 groups won the Partnership Award for their help in managing Oregon's rangeland and received a beautiful juniper slab award. HARNEY SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT, Crook County Soil & Water Conservation District, LAKE COUNTY SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT, High Desert Partnership, Owyhee Watershed Council, Pheasants Forever, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

Do you know an experienced Biologist that might like working at a world-class research forest? The Elliott State Research Forest is assembling a team and looking for a forest-loving #Biologist. Please share the link below.

Significant milestone reached on the Elliott State Research Forest as the Land Board approved the Forest Management Plan today! The forest management plan will guide the Department of State Lands in managing the research forest for multiple values, including conservation, education, recreation, Indigenous culture, and support for local economies. “Coming to agreement on the Elliott’s future as a publicly owned research forest was in itself an amazing achievement. Putting that vision on paper as a forest management plan took tremendous effort by many,” said Department of State Lands Director Vicki L. Walker. “The plan approved today honors the foundations laid in years of collaboration, while also allowing space for ongoing efforts to realize the research forest’s many benefits.” Thanks to many partners, including Oregon League of Conservation Voters, Capitol Chapter Oregon Hunters Association, Cascadia Wildlands, Bird Alliance of Oregon, Oregon Outdoor Council, The Nature Conservancy, and others. #OregonConservationStrategy #OregonClimateChangeandCarbonPlan

How can you tell that a wetland is, well, a wetland? At the Hedges Creek wetlands in City of Tualatin today, Wetland Ecologist Daniel Evans compared a soil sample to the Munsell color book. This wetland is thriving with wildlife, including beavers, and is The Wetlands Conservancy first protected wetlands. It's also a wonderful example of how housing and wetlands can coexist. The #wetland has walking paths around and through that connect residents and businesses. 💙

Do you someone that could help lead the transformation of the Elliott into North America's largest research forest? We're hosting a virtual info session for interested applicants this Thursday and would love your referrals! There are two positions that will be reviewed: Forest Manager and Forester. The MS team link to the info session can be found about 1/4 the way down the job posting for either position.

Do you know anyone with experience in public policy and a passion for protecting the environment? We have a #policyjob open! Join a dedicated team in protecting Oregon's wetlands, waterways, and rangelands. This is position is eligible for hybrid or remote work with travel to our Salem office 2-3 times per week. You do not have to be a current state employee to apply (job posting might read this way, please ignore). Please share and thank you!

Are you passionate about policy, strategic partnerships, and community engagement? The Elliott State Research Forest is hiring its first Policy and Partnership Coordinator. This hybrid position will help the Elliott State Research Forest be an enduring, publicly owned, world-class research forest. Please share with your networks, click the link below to apply! #policyjobs

15 years ago, staff at Oregon Department of State Lands started working towards a better way to do stream mitigation in partnership with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Region 10 office) and Portland District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Stream mitigation is important because this is a key tool for protecting Oregon’s streams which provide a range of benefits from supporting clean water for healthy communities to ensuring biodiversity of species into the future.   We are proud to announce that we have taken our best practices and made them available to other states through a paper in the Journal of the American Water Resources Association. Protecting America’s streams and rivers is a collaborative effort and we are thrilled to contribute to the body of knowledge moving the field forward. https://lnkd.in/gf5cPizV