Changing Forest and Communities in Northeast Oregon: A Public Forum on Local and National Opinions

In September 2011, over 1500 people from Baker, Wallowa, and Union Counties took part in a telephone survey as part of the Communities and Forests in Oregon (CAFOR) project funded by the USDA. In cooperation with Wallowa Resources and Oregon State University Forestry Extension, researchers from the University of New Hampshire will present results from the survey related to forestry jobs, forest health, and other challenges facing local communities in northeast Oregon in a town-hall style meeting. We invite the general public to come to enjoy free pizza and drinks while:

• Learning about the survey results and how responses from NE Oregon counties compare with each other and with other places across the U.S.
• Asking follow-up questions about the survey, and participating in an interactive session with the “live” survey data to explore ideas about the results from your region.
• Sharing your views and hearing the opinions of other community members regarding how to understand the survey responses on forests, land management, wolves and more.
• Helping the researchers interpret their survey results, and plan further steps in their study.

Following an initial presentation, most of the time will be given over to questions and discussion, including audience-suggested analysis of the survey.

The presenters will be: Larry Hamilton and Joel Hartter from the University of New Hampshire, and Forrest Stevens from the University of Florida.