General Info

The Oregon Department of Forestry was established in 1911. Its director is appointed by the State Board of Forestry, and its statutes direct the state forester to act on all matters pertaining to forestry that includes collecting and sharing information about the conditions of Oregon's forests, protecting forestlands and conserving forest resources. The Southwest Oregon District of the Oregon Department of Forestry encompasses lands in Jackson and Josephine counties and consists of two units, one headquartered in Medford, Ore., and the other in Grants Pass, Ore. The Medford and Grants Pass units consist of 13 permanent staff and about 50 seasonal personnel. In addition, it is embarking on a volunteer program. Among its responsibilities are inspecting logging operations for compliance with environmental rules; assisting private forest landowners with forestry questions; and helping them with plans for each year s summer fire protection program.