To: Governor Tina Kotek, Oregon Board of Forestry
From: Wild Salmon Center, Oregon Wild, Sierra Club Oregon Chapter, Cascadia Wildlands, Bird Alliance of Oregon, MCAT, 350PDX, Oregon League of Conservation Voters, North Coast Coast Communities for Watershed Protection, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Cascade-Volcanoes Chapter
Date: February 18, 2025
Re: State Forester Values, Qualifications and Priorities
Dear Dear Governor Kotek, Chair Kelly and Members of the Oregon Board of Forestry,
The Board of Forestry is tasked with hiring the next state forester to lead the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in responding to unprecedented challenges and opportunities. These include responding to the threats of climate change and fulfilling its goal of being a national leader in climate-smart forestry, protecting communities from wildfires, implementing the Private Forest Accord, adopting a new Western Oregon State Forest Management Plan, finalizing the Habitat Conservation Plans for private forests and western Oregon state forests,
restructuring the ODF’s revenue model, and restoring the public’s trust in the agency to operate with transparency, accountability and respect for all people.
Given the broad scope of these needs, the next state forester should be a visionary leader who can bring about the structural and cultural changes necessary for fulfilling the agency’s responsibilities.
These include:
● A deep understanding of ecological forest management and support for its
implementation.
● Thorough understanding of the threats of climate change and biodiversity loss, an understanding of the incredible value and potential of natural climate solutions, and a demonstrated commitment to addressing these challenges and opportunities.
● A track record of transparency in decision-making and public accountability for decisions.
● Strong communication skills and willingness to listen to all communities, partners, agencies and key stakeholders.
● A skilled manager able to provide leadership, direction, and support for the Department and who can engage effectively with the Board of Forestry, Governor’s office, media, and the public.
● Proven commitment and experience in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion
throughout an organizational structure and creating a culture of respect and inclusion.
● A track record of requiring the highest professional standards for employees.
● Experience with fire management and ecology, proactive responses to wildfire focused on community protection.
● Experience in working with elected officials to diversify and secure funding necessary to fulfill the agency’s statutory responsibilities.
Priorities for the next state forester:
● Strategic Planning: Develop an agency strategic plan with “SMART” goals, objectives, strategies, and action plans. In early 2023, Governor Kotek directed state agencies to develop strategic plans by June 1, 2024. Agency strategic plans are required to follow an outline provided by the Department of Administrative Services and include, at a minimum, specific, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART) goals and objectives, strategies, action plans, and monitoring and evaluation requirements. The Department of Forestry currently lacks a comprehensive strategic plan containing these mandatory components.
● Implement the Climate Change and Carbon Plan (Climate Plan), approved by the Board of Forestry in 2021, with SMART goals, strategies, tactics, measurable outcomes and timely monitoring and evaluation. Implement the Climate Plan’s goals of establishing Oregon as a national leader in climate-smart forestry. Create a project manager position to lead implementation of the plan. Establish benchmarks for progress in meeting SMART goals and require regular reports to the Board of Forestry on progress implementing the Climate Plan.
● Complete implementation of the Private Forest Accord, finalize the Habitat Conservation Plan for private forests (PFA HCP), and receive a federal Incidental Take Permit by the end of 2027.
● Advance ecological forest management principles for state forests through the adoption of a new Western Oregon State Forest Management Plan.
● Finalize the Western Oregon State Forest Habitat Conservation Plan by early 2026 and approve incidental take permits.
● Improve public notice and engagement in decision-making, including engaging
communities and surrounding landowners in Annual Operations Plans for state forests.
We encourage the Board and the Governor to engage in an open and inclusive process for hiring the next State Forester and our groups look forward to participating in the process.
Sincerely,
Joseph Youren
Forest Issues Director
Seven Capes Bird Alliance
Casey Kulla
State Forest Policy Coordinator
Oregon Wild
Grace Brahler
Wildlands Director
Cascadia Wildlands
Joe Liebezeit
Director of Statewide Conservation
Bird Alliance of Oregon
Rand Schenck
Forestry and Natural Lands Lead
Mobilizing Climate Action Together
(MCAT)
Eliza Walton
Coalition Director
Oregon League of Conservation Voters
Brenna Bell
Forest Climate Manager
350PDX
Nancy Webster
President
North Coast Communities for Watershed
Protection
Damon Motz-Storey
Chapter Director
Sierra Club Oregon Chapter
Darlene Chirman
Leadership Team, Cascade-Volcanoes
Chapter Great Old Broads For Wilderness
Michael Lang
Oregon Senior Policy Manager
Wild Salmon Center