Land purchase expands Gilchrist State Forest by 20,000 acres

Oregon’s newest state forest, the Gilchrist, is growing.

Earlier this month, the Oregon Department of Forestry purchased over 20,000 acres of forestland in Central Oregon, increasing the size of the Gilchrist State Forest by almost half.

Expansion comes as part of an agreement with The Conservation Fund to purchase forestland located adjacent to Gilchrist. The Conservation Fund originally purchased the lands with the intention that ODF would buy this property from them within three to five years.

The acquisition of the Gilchrist State Forest, located about 45 miles south of Bend,, was approved in 2009 by the Oregon Legislature. The state purchased the initial 43,000 acres of former Gilchrist Timber Company land with $15 million in lottery-backed bonds, dedicated for use on projects that have economic development benefit. At the same time,

The Conservation Fund purchased several parcels totaling over 28,000 acres adjacent to the new forest, retaining them until funds became available for a future purchase by the state.

Thanks to additional lottery funding, general bond funds, and a Forest Legacy federal grant, ODF has purchased over 25,000 acres of additional forestland to date, with the most recent acquisition occurring at the beginning of October.

In the face of threats to forestland fragmentation, the expansion of the Gilchrist State Forest serves as an example of keeping Oregon’s forests intact and working, officials say.

ODF will manage these lands under current management strategies to provide a broad range of benefits over the long term, including timber harvesting that will provide jobs and revenue for Klamath County, minimizing wildfire threats, improving wildlife habitat and forest health, and ensuring public access. Forest managers are also exploring new forest products markets and recreational opportunities.

“The expansion of the Gilchrist is an exciting addition to Oregon’s state forests,” says State Forest Division Chief Liz Dent. “Support from state and national partners has allowed ODF to make an important investment in nearby rural communities and the future of Oregon’s forests.”