Oregon’s forest restoration efforts gain momentum at Sisters event

SISTERS Ore. (KTVZ) – Many in the community of Sisters attended an event Wednesday evening focused on preserving the state’s environmental health, protecting biodiversity and building buoyancy against climate change.

Held at The Belfry, the conversation was all about discussing wildlife restoration within the community.

Hosted by the Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project, experts talked about the benefits of restoring our local forests, the impact on wildlife, and how we can all play a role in preserving and protecting our environment and towns against catastrophic wildfire. 

What can we do to help mitigate wildfires? Deschutes County Commissioner Phil Chang says prescribed burning is key.

“So, we all know that the worst smoke days that we experience in the year are from wildfire," Chang said. "We also know that prescribed fire, in the spring before wildfire season starts, can make your community much safer, reduce those fuels, and that the amount of smoke that prescribed fire makes is way, way less than (wildfires) … we almost never get into the unhealthy and hazardous levels during prescribed burns.”

Moreover, the Sisters Ranger District says, restoration work is vital, as healthy forests play a significant role in water retention and soil health, factors that are critical for agriculture and clean water resources throughout the state.

Andrew Myhra, fire management officer on the Sisters Ranger District, said, “Not all fires are bad. Fires, again, play a very important ecological role in Central Oregon.

"What we want to do is we want to prevent the human starts. We want to prevent the most devastating fires that create the most disturbance in the heart of fire season, primarily August and September. But prescribed fire is really important component for us to reintroduce fire to a fire-dependent landscape, and also, managed wildfire when available is a tool that we can use to create better outcomes in Central Oregon, ecologically.”

For Oregonians, the restoration of their forests is not only a fight against climate change but also a commitment to preserving their natural heritage for future generations.

Jodie Barram, who chairs the, Deschutes Collaborative Restoration outreach subcommittee, said, “When it comes to forest restoration, here in Central Oregon and across the state. I think it's important that the public exercises some patience. You know, when the forest has to close down a trail to do some thinning work, or you might have to be rerouted some day on your favorite run or activity or camping spot. Understanding that the work that's going on is very important to protect us all.”

To learn more about forest restoration, check out their website. The Sisters Ranger District wants to encourage all community members to become proactive stewards, or the force to help restore them to a more, healthier, resilient condition.