The Rediscovery Forest, co-sponsored by the Oregon Forest Resources Institute and The Oregon Garden, is an actively managed working forest that is used for educational purposes. It is located in the park-like environment of The Oregon Garden, an 80-acre botanical garden in Silverton. Visitors to the 15-acre forest can learn about different types of forests and discover why forest management is essential to sustaining our quality of life in Oregon.
Stroll the grounds of the Rediscovery Forest to view a variety of tree species and ages on a self-guided tour, or participate in an educational program. Interpretive signs along easily accessible trails will help you learn about reforestation, forest management, growing Christmas trees, and hardwood forest management as you explore the many corners of this working forest. Escape the rain, rest or enjoy a picnic in the heart of the forest under the covered Discovery Pavilion, made with wood products from Oregon forests.
Harvest at the Rediscovery Forest
To promote more growth and long-term health in the dominate 40-year old trees a commercial thinning operation was conducted. Local contractors used a computer-aided mechanical harvester that felled and delimbed selected trees and then bucked the logs. Following nearby on a trail of limbs left by the harvester to minimize soil disturbance, a forwarder then picked up the logs. In total, 10 loads of logs were hauled to local saw and chip mills.
Forest educational programs
The Rediscovery Forest serves as an educational venue for K-12 students and teachers, forest landowners and the general public to learn more about Oregon’s forests and natural resources.
OFRI offers educational events and teacher workshops at the Rediscovery Forest throughout the year. The forest is also frequented by school groups participating in the Oregon Garden Natural Resources Education Program, supported through a partnership between OFRI and The Oregon Garden.
The Oregon Garden Natural Resources Education Program provides students in fourth through sixth grades a hands-on approach to natural resources education by offering free field trips to the garden and Rediscovery Forest. While visiting the forest, students participate in engaging educational activities to learn about topics such as forest ecology, food webs, forest health and wildlife habitat.
To learn more about the program or to sign up for a field trip, visit OFRI’s website for K-12 educators, LearnForests.org
Plan your visit
The Rediscovery Forest is located within The Oregon Garden, at 879 W. Main St. in Silverton.
To contact The Oregon Garden, call 503-874-8100, or toll free at 877-674-2733.
You can also find hours, ticket prices and other information on the garden’s website, oregongarden.org.