Alder Creek Community Forest

The Alder Creek Community Forest was established as an educational nonprofit in 2002. This 80-acre property is located one mile west of the community of Canyonville, Oregon. In order to address current threats to southern Oregon forests, such as wildfire and drought-induced tree mortality, their current priority is to help build fire-resilient communities via forest workforce development, K-12 and public education, and diverse partner collaboration.

Some of the community benefits provided by the Alder Creek Community Forest include:

  1. Increased wildfire resilience through implementation of fuels reduction, biochar residue treatment, and planting native tree species that are more resilient to wildfires.

  2. An outdoor classroom for natural resources job training programs including from South Umpqua High School and Umpqua Community College.

  3. Educational opportunities for landowners seeking how to implement practices such as ladder fuel pruning and intentional fire on their own properties.

Small groups of children sit in a field around a covered structure, surrounded by forest.

Alder Creek Community Forest has comfortable facilities for educational groups of all ages

Photo courtesy of Alder Creek Community Forest

Additional Property Facts:

  1. Alder Creek Community Forest is located on the Proctor Memorial Forest, dedicated to the spirit of educational community service of Robert and Virginia Proctor

  2. The property is within the ceded territory of the Cow Creek Tribe, which is now a partner of the community forest

  3. The community forest has hosted many K-12 field trips and educator trainings, and helped develop a K-12 geography curriculum called Story of Your Place

On the Alder Creek Community Forest, community-responsive management allows the property to proactively address the region’s greatest challenges. Read the full fact sheet below to learn more.

This image shows a bench and sign in a mature forested setting.
Three people work clearing logs and branches in a forested setting.

Right: The property provides a beautiful setting for contemplation and connection with nature.

Left: Alder Creek supports natural resources job training programs, as well as hand-on forest management education for landowners.

Photos: Alder Creek Community Forest

This document is supported in part by financial assistance from the Forest Service. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.