THE TOWN OF BUTTE FALLS

Community Forest Project

Building Community resilience through connection to the land

The Town of Butte Falls raised $1.15 million to purchase 430 acres of adjacent forestland that completely surrounds the town, thanks to support from collaborative partners. The property includes the historic mill site and the town’s namesake, the falls of Big Butte Creek. The community is managing the land locally to mitigate wildfire; preserve drinking water, fish, and wildlife; and to promote economic development, recreation, tourism, and natural resources education. The community forest serves as a model of resilience and adaptation for other small communities.

BUTTE FALLS COMMUNITY FOREST NEWSLETTER, March 2024

Underwear burial, BF students talk wildfire safety on April 5, Fuels reduction update, Connect with your commission

Oregon Department of Forestry Prescribed Burn Update:

2/7/24. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) crew has successfully completed approximately 70 acres of pre-commercial thinning and fuel reduction prescriptions. Notably, Units 1 and 1A at Hukill Creek have been finalized and are poised for under burn, scheduled for the upcoming Fall of 2024. The crew is scheduled to transition to Unit 5 at the Falls on Thursday, the 8th, where they will execute pre-commercial thinning, brush cutting, and pile and burn all slash, aligning with the broader Fall operations for other units. Concurrently, efforts are underway at the Falls to replace the antiquated viewing platform. This undertaking involves rock removal, preliminary trail construction, and collaboration with ODF crews, who will be on-site to assist in brush clearing and related activities. Anticipating the financial requirements for these endeavors, the Community Forest is proactively pursuing grants from diverse entities to cover the costs associated with the viewing platform and other planned recreational infrastructures in the Falls area. This strategic approach aligns with our commitment to enhancing the forest's recreational amenities and ensuring sustainable management practices.

1/31/24. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) commenced its brush burning operations on Monday, January 22, 2024. This initiative is anticipated to last for a minimum of six weeks and is scheduled to take place four days a week from Monday to Thursday, between 8 am and 4 pm, on the designated sites. Two highly skilled crews have been assigned to oversee this project, with one crew stationed in Grants Pass and the other in Medford. The initial undertaking began in Unit 1 at Hukill Creek, and has progressed to the Falls. Thinning piles have already been created, clearing areas for the Falls viewing deck, construction of the deck is expected to begin within the next month. The primary objectives of this operation include thinning the vegetation, cutting brush, and preparing for a broadcast burn scheduled for the fall of 2024. These diligent measures will help enhance forest health and mitigate potential fire risks. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this endeavor. 1/31/24

Ben Decarlow on the FireBright Wildfire Curriculum

Ben Decarlow, co-founder of the Natural Resource Center, will be joining forces with various individuals associated with the Southern Oregon Forest Restoration Collaborative to co-teach an elective course focused on their FireBright curriculum. This program aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of our fire-prone forests, the behavior of wildfires, and the essential skills required to pursue careers in natural resource management or wildfire risk mitigation. The ultimate objective is to empower students to actively contribute to the reduction of fuel hazards near their own residences, while simultaneously fostering a sense of community cohesion and preparedness for inevitable fire incidents. A public talk is scheduled to occur between the weeks of March 25 and April 9, 2024 with more details on the elective, with specific dates to be announced soon. For more details on the program: https://sofrc.org/education/high-school-wildfire-curriculum/ 1/31/24

sonya goddess, community forest liaison

January 8, 2024. Dear Friends and Partners of the Butte Falls Community Forest, The Town of Butte Falls is delighted to announce the appointment of Ms. Sonya Goddess as our new Community Forest Liaison. Ms. Goddess holds a degree in environmental sciences from Southern Oregon University, showcasing a strong academic background in the field. She also brings a wealth of energy and a positive demeanor, complementing her exceptional educational qualifications. The Community Forest acknowledges the crucial role of liaison between us and our partners, and she will be entrusted with a various range of responsibilities. We anticipate that you will have the opportunity to hear directly from Ms. Goddess soon, as she settles-in and assumes her role with us. Please help us make her feel welcome. We are proud to share that the Butte Falls Community Forest has been awarded a substantial grant from the Ford Family Foundation to support Ms. Goddess for nearly one year. Additionally, a grant from the Gordon Elwood Foundation has been secured to further contribute to her funding, alongside the Community Forest's own financial commitment. For any further updates, Sonya will be contributing to news about the Community Forest on this page. 1/25/24

Resources:

• Read the Community Vision Concept Paper here

• Butte Falls Community Forest: Oregon Solutions Assessment Report

• Proposed Community Forest Management Plan

• Park Feasibility Report (1999)