Discover Your Forest
Discover Your Forest is the proud non-profit partner of the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests:
we are committed to connecting visitors and volunteers with Central Oregon's National Forests
through great visitor services, accessible interpretive programs and engaging events.
Upcoming Events
Nov
28
Wed
Nov 28 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Upriver: An Oregon Experience
This year marks the 50 year anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Join the Deschutes National Forest and Discover Your Forest for a screening the film Upriver, a ‘watershed film’ that explores one of the nation’s most active river conservation movements. Before the show, Forest Service Specialists will discuss restoration efforts on local Wild and Scenic Rivers.
Door open at 6pm, Event begins at 7pm
Event is Free.
Dec
13
Thu
Dec 13 @ 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm
“The Greatest Good” Lecture Series at OSU-Cascades Focuses on Natural Resource Issues
Deschutes National Forest scientists to present on a variety of topics
BEND– The Deschutes National Forest, Discover Your Forest and OSU-Cascades are partnering for a second year to offer educational opportunities for OSU-Cascades Students and the public. A lecture series called “The Greatest Good” will feature presentations from land managers and specialists from the Deschutes National Forest on a variety of topics in natural resources.
The lecture Series begins November 2018 and will be held the second Thursday of each month through April of next year. Each lecture will take place at 5:00 p.m. in OSU-Cascade’s Obsidian Hall. All lectures are free and open to the public. Parking at OSU Cascades is free after 5 PM.
November 8 – The Historical Restoration of the Odd Fellows Cabins by Scott McBride Manager, Newberry National Volcanic Monument
December 13 – National Trails Act: 50 Years of Exploring Public Lands by Dennis Benson, Recreation Program Manager
January 10 –The Evolution of Fire Use by Katie Hetts, Sub-Regional Fire Analyst
February 14 – Empowering Central Oregon Youth through Public Service by Bill Kujawa, Recreation Crew Leader
March 14 – Native Seed for Landscape Restoration by Kayla Herriman Manager, Region 6 Seed Extractory
April 11 – From Hoses to Hotshots–Redmond Air Center’s Role in Wildland Fire Suppression by Maurice Evans, Manager, Redmond Air Center
“The Greatest Good” is part of a quotation from the first Chief of the Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot, who believed in a utilitarian philosophy of forest management that included managing forests for “greatest good for the greatest number in the long run.”
For more information on the lecture series, please contact Rika Ayotte at rika.ayotte@discovernw.org
Dec
22
Sat
Dec 22 @ 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Forest Service and volunteer rangers lead educational snowshoeing and ski tours
Discover Your Forest, in collaboration with the Deschutes National Forest and Mt. Bachelor Ski Area, will begin their annual interpretive snow tours in the next few weeks.
Beginning December 22, 2018 visitors to the Mt. Bachelor Ski Area can go on a snowshoe tour with a ranger, then on January 5, 2019 visitors can ski or snowboard Mt. Bachelor slopes with a ranger, or chat with a roving ranger around Mt. Bachelor. All interpretive programs focus on the ecology, geology and wildlife of the Cascades.
Snow conditions permitting, snowshoe programs will start Saturday, December 22, 2018 and run through Sunday, March 31, 2019. Interested participants will meet at the Forest Service snowshoeing hut located at Mt. Bachelor’s West Village at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on weekends and school break week days with the exception of Christmas and New Year’s Day. Tours last 90 minutes and snowshoes are provided for the tour. No prior experience is needed. Participants must be 8-10 years or older and should dress appropriately for cold weather.
On weekends beginning Saturday, January 5, 2019 and running through Sunday, March 31, 2019, an interpretive ski and snowboard tour will be offered on Mt. Bachelor’s groomed runs. The tour, which lasts an hour, begins at the top of the Pine Marten lift (to be determined) at 2 p.m. Participants are responsible for having lift tickets and appropriate equipment, as well as, basic riding skills. In addition, skiers and snowboarders will find interpretive rangers roving between Outback and Sunrise Express lifts ready to answer questions.
While both programs are free, a donation of $5 is suggested to help non-profit Discover Your Forest continue to provide educational programing and volunteer support to the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the Crooked River National Grassland.
Reservations are not required for individual participants. Group tours for schools, youth or other organizations may be scheduled for weekdays.
If you have any questions, please contact Karen Gentry, Discover Your Forest’s director of education at (541) 383-4771, Stacey Cochran, DYF’s Community Engagement Director or (541) 383-5530 or check the Snowshoe/Ski with a Ranger Hotline at (541) 383-4055 for up-to-date tour information.
Become A Member Today
Get Great Perks While Supporting a Great Cause
You can show your support for the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland by becoming a member of Discover Your Forest. Members receive great benefits like exclusive ranger-led snowshoe and hiking excursions, free lantern rentals at Lava River Cave and much more. Even better, your membership funds go toward conservation and interpretive efforts on our local National Forests. These memberships make great gifts for the forest enthusiasts in your life!
Wild & Scenic Rivers 50th Anniversary
Join the Central Oregon Celebration
2018 marks the 50 year anniversary of the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act.Local Non-Profits are planning to make Central Oregon the number one location in America to celebrate this important anniversary. Imagine every Central Oregonian, coming together to raise awareness for a cause that is important to us all, our rivers.
