Timber harvests and forest neighbors: The urban fringe research project at Oregon State University

Abstract

As urban and suburban populations grow, the urban fringe has expanded into once-remote forests. With this growth, the complexity and cost associated with harvesting have increased, along with public disputes and the potential for legal actions. To better identify and understand forest border residents' interests and concerns about harvest activities, residents of the McDonald Forest Estates (a neighborhood bordering the Oregon State University Research Forest) were consulted and surveyed prior to a proposed harvest. Results show interesting patterns of preferences for specific harvest treatments and illustrate the more general issues that concern border residents, including buffers, duration of activities, safety, regrowth, and impacts on recreation and aesthetics.