YCSWA Tree Farmer of the Year Picnic and Tour

On July 25, 2026 we will meet at 9:30 AM to celebrate the Thornton Ranch being selected as the Yamhill County Chapter of the Oregon Small Woodlands Association's Tree Farmers of the Year for 2026. Nancy Thornton raised her family in Moores Valley. She was tutored daily by her husband Vernon on the ins and outs of creating a ranch. Their son Dale Thornton manages the property carrying on the family tradition of working hard, loving the land, and giving back to the earth.

There are special people along the way that offer mentoring and support. Our area was lucky enough to have Brent O'Nion assigned to us as our stewardship forester. He has been on many of our properties and his quick smile and words of advice have helped shape many decisions that impact us in both the short and long term. When Dale suggested that we throw him a retirement party in conjunction with the Thornton Ranch tour, I immediately agreed.

July 22nd, 5:30pm, Board Meeting (In-person or Zoom)

An unforgettable events venue nestled in the beautiful and scenic Scotts Valley. Set on a working cattle ranch, The Crown O offers breathtaking views of lush green meadows and distant, tree-brimmed hills. At the heart of the property stands a historic post-and-beam barn, crafted with traditional mortise and tenon joints. This rustic yet elegant structure is the crown jewel of the venue, featuring rustic, elegant, and timeless charm.

Food, beverages and table service provided by:

Douglas County Livestock Association
Douglas chapter of the Oregon Farm Bureau
Douglas Small Woodlands Association

RSVP requested by Friday, July 17 to Brenda Epp
bestlamb@douglasfast.net or 541-679-1565

BRING a neighbor, MEET a neighbor,

BE a neighbor, SEE you there!

Guest speakers, Landowner information, Youth Activities, and more!

Linn County OSWA Summer picnic and tour: July 18 10:00 am to 3:00 pm

Jim Cota and Mike Melcher will host this event at the Fun Forest Barn on Upper Berlin Drive.

This will include tours on the Fun Forest Tree Farm.

Coos-Curry Neighbor‑to‑Neighbor Tree Farm Tour
July 18th, 9:00-2:00

Meeting at the Bridge Grange Hall. From there, the Hitner family will guide us to their tree farm that is nearby. To register for the tour, contact Cilde Grover: cilde@copper.net or call 541-412-8388.  
Invite your friends and family, all are welcome!

Benton County OSWA Annual Picnic and Tour  Saturday, July 18th
Starker Forestry Trail and picnic area, near Blodgett

Come early at 9:00 a.m. for a tour of Starker's Coast redwood plantation and discussion with forester Steve Coskey.  We will meet at the Blodgett School at 35177 Tum Tum Rd, Blodgett, OR 97326 for carpooling.

Our annual picnic will be at noon at their covered space – bring your own lunch and camp chair - beverages and dessert will be provided. There is a short loop around the picnic area that is interesting to explore, so wear appropriate shoes.  Restroom facilities are available.

Come for one, or come for both! 

Picnic area: From the intersection of US 20 and SR 180 in Blodgett, go about 0.5 miles west, turn left on Blodgett Rd., then right at the T intersection, then left onto Tum Tum Rd. The tour sign is 1.5 miles down Tum Tum Road. Take a right at the sign and continue a short way to the parking area.

CCSWA Summer Picnic

The summer picnic this year will be on Saturday July 18th from 7:30am to 2:00pm. The picnic will be hosted by Dick Courter, 2026 Columbia County tree farmer of the year, and catered by Sunshine Pizza.

More information including the Vernonia area address will be sent in July via a USPS postcard mailing, email, and a posting on our website so stay tuned for the update in July,.

An opportunity for OSWA members to discuss any topics relevant to small woodland owners.

OSWA is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Member Forum

Time: 2026 July 10, 9:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84066953552?pwd=T0p4E9qaecIdYfJv3Tuonglb7Bwpk3.1

Meeting chat link

https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/84066953552

Meeting ID: 840 6695 3552

Passcode: 591382

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Join instructions

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Welcome New Members! Let’s talk about your needs, and what OSWA can do for you.

OSWA is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: OSWA Zoom Skills, New Members Meeting, Member Forum

Time: July 10, 2026 10:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84066953552?pwd=T0p4E9qaecIdYfJv3Tuonglb7Bwpk3.1

Meeting chat link

https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/84066953552

Meeting ID: 840 6695 3552

Passcode: 591382

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Join by SIP

• 84066953552@zoomcrc.com

Join instructions

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Brush up on your Zoom Meeting skills with Mike Cafferata. Open to all members.

OSWA is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: OSWA Zoom Skills, New Members Meeting, Member Forum

Time: Jul 10, 2026 09:00 AM Pacific Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84066953552?pwd=T0p4E9qaecIdYfJv3Tuonglb7Bwpk3.1

Meeting chat link

https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/84066953552

Meeting ID: 840 6695 3552

Passcode: 591382

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Join by SIP

• 84066953552@zoomcrc.com

Join instructions

https://us02web.zoom.us/meetings/84066953552/invitations?signature=mOY7Z0iYCVnR1AnD8jG64kDxuW7CKa_vzgdNp3Zl0VE

Gordon Meadows: Wednesday July 1: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

These meadows are located at 4,000’ elev east of Sweet Home in a Forest Service roadless

area. The wildflower tour in 2025 was a success and Lorelle Sherman, our OSU Extension

agent, has agreed to do a repeat. A work party to help restore these meadows is also possible

later in the summer.

Planning for planting: Practical guidance for successful reforestation

Tuesday, June 30, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Umpqua area - Meeting Location TBA

$10 per person

Landowners frequently express both interest and concern about the most challenging step in the cycle of forest management: achieving good regeneration after a disturbance or harvest. Join a team from OSU Forestry Extension for a day in the forest learning about the basics of forest regeneration, including species selection, the influence of topography, using the shade of sheltering objects, browsing by animals, and much more. We will also discuss 'downstream' influences of reforestation choices like impacts on future potential fire behavior, forest product yield, and wildlife habitat.

Linn County Tree Farm Of the Year Tour: Saturday, June 20. 10 am to 2 pm

Larry and Nancy Mauter will be our hosts. Nancy’s “pollinator garden will be in full bloom”.

Nancy and Larry have worked hard for over a year in preparation for this tour.

Mark your calendars and plan to join us on Saturday, June 20th, for our Annual Field Tour. This year's event will be hosted by the Valerio's at their Eccoci Ranch near Medical Springs. Spend the day in the woods to learn about managing a small woodland for a variety of objectives, small-scale equipment operations with live demonstrations, as well as home hardening, defensible space, and property assessments. This is a great opportunity to hear from professionals, ask questions, and connect with fellow woodland owners and Firewise community members. Lunch and refreshments provided! Please see the attached flyer, as well as below, for more details. 

2026 NEOSWA Neighbor-to-Neighbor Tour - Eccoci Ranch 

When:    Saturday, June 20th, 9:00am - 3:00pm

Where:   Eccoci Ranch (52843 Highway 203, Union, OR 97883)

RSVP:    https://gqr.sh/PhtE

Attendance is free but registration is encouraged for an accurate headcount for lunch. The tour will be held outdoors, rain or shine, and will require moderate walking/hiking. For registration assistance, questions, or for more information, don't hesitate to reach out at NEORWoodlands@gmail.com.

We hope to see you there!

CCFFA Thinning Demonstration with Mangold’s Tree
June 19, 10-3PM “open forest” (drop in any time that works)

The thinning technique uses a small excavator equipped with a grapple system designed and built by Brett Eells, owner/operator of Mangolds Tree Service. The concept is to efficiently remove trees that are “locked” into surrounding branches while minimizing damage to remaining trees and ground cover. Our goal is to open the canopy enough to promote healthy growth of dominant trees while limiting excess light to the understory.

We plan to host an “Open Forest” style event on Friday, June 19, from 10:00 AM to 3:00PM. Participants are welcome to arrive and leave as their schedules allow. While here, you’ll be able to watch the equipment in action and evaluate whether this process might work for your own woodland operation.

RSVP to this email at

lestech.auto@gmail.com,

Forest health in a changing landscape: A field day for woodland managers

Thursday, June 18, from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Southern Douglas County - Meeting Location TBA

$10 per person

Managing Southwest Oregon’s forests has become increasingly complex as multiple tree species face significant, compounding stress driven by severe drought and extreme heat.

While widespread Douglas-fir mortality—often dubbed "Firmageddon"—has captured headlines, woodland owners are simultaneously battling other critical forest health issues, including aggressive pine bark beetles and root diseases.

Join a team of forest health experts for a hands-on field day in Douglas County to break down the intersecting impacts of climate, insects, and pathogens on your timber.

2026 BSWA Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year Tour

Dave & Sarah Ehlers’ J 2 E Tree Farm
June 6, 2026, 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

Register Here: https://beav.es/fJf

Participants will explore the J 2 E Tree Farm’s Partnerships during three separate tours. Observe up close the diversity of this Coast Range gem, nestled in the Luckiamute Watershed across the valley from Fort Hoskins.

1) Join the Landowner with Oregon Department of Forestry and US Fish & Wildlife Services experts on a tour of year-round & seasonal ponds, discussing construction and multiple uses with a wildlife and fire focus, all while exploring various timber stands along the way.

2) The Riparian Management Area will be explored with an ODF expert, discussing new rules & alternate practices within the RMA. Luckiamute Watershed Council experts will discuss restoration project selection and will showcase completed restoration sites. A National Resources Conservation Service expert will explore funding of restoration projects that include Forestry.

3) Private & OSU Extension Foresters will lead participants through various timber stands: 46 yo Doug Fir moderate conifer site, 101 yo Oregon White Oak poor hardwood site, 56 yo Doug Fir good site, and 31 yo OWO & DF poor hardwood site. Get up close to colossal legacy old growth Conifer and OWO trees.

They will make your day!

Women's tree identification

Wednesday, June 3, from 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

Elkton Community Education Center
15850 OR-38 W
Elkton, OR

$5 per person

Come spend a morning amongst the trees with Women Owning Woodlands Network! Get to know your fellow women woodland owners over a fun breakfast social. Connect over a fun woodland-themed craft, then join us for an opportunity to get to know our local native trees while taking a walk through the ECEC Native Plant Park.

Dragonfly Ranch tour: Saturday May 30 10 am to 2 pm

We will view restored oak stands abutting managed wetlands on One Horse slough. In these wetlands beavers dams provide habitat for river otters, and native waterfowl. A catered lunch will be provided.

May 27th, 5:30pm, Board & Member Meeting (In-person or Zoom)

Annual Meeting at Dayton Courthouse Square Park.

Structured potluck with main dish provided. Board member elections

Speakers: Greta Holstrom and Ed Markie Hess, restoration specialist, Greater Yamhill Watershed Council

Topic: Soils – Understanding Your Base

We are excited to share that we will be hosting a spring tour next Tuesday, May 19th, from 10:00am - 2:30pm in Wallowa. The tour will include a stop at Wallowa High School's Natural Resources Career and Technical Education Program where we will have the opportunity to hear from students about their program and the work they have done managing a local forest, as well as running a mobile sawmill. We will then head over to Heartwood Biomass for a tour of their facility. Lunch will be provided! Please see the details below, as well as the attached flyer, for more details. 

2026 NEOSWA Spring Tour - Wallowa HS & Heartwood Biomass

When:    Tuesday, May 19, 10:00am - 2:30pm

Where:   Begins at Wallowa High School (315 W 1st St., Wallowa, OR 97885)

RSVP:    https://gqr.sh/PUwL

Attendance is free but registration is encouraged for an accurate headcount for food. The event will be held both indoors and outdoors, rain or shine, and will require moderate walking/hiking. Please dress accordingly, including closed toe shoes, and avoid shorts and loose-fitting clothing. For questions, RSVP assistance, or for more information, please reach out at NEORWoodlands@gmail.com.

We hope to see you there! 

Landslides in a forested landscape: Field tour

Tuesday, May 19, from 9 a.m.–1 p.m.
Glide, OR (meeting location provided after registration)
$5 per person

Learn about the geologic processes and risk factors of landslides in the field. In this 4-hour tour, we will visit multiple local landslide sites to demonstrate a variety of landslide features and field indicators of unstable slopes.