Right Tools, Right Place: Combating Invasives & Restoring Oak Habitat

Oregon’s oak habitats are vulnerable. Over time, invasive plants have spread, native oak stands have declined and changing conditions have made it harder for oak trees to thrive across the Willamette Valley and beyond. This one-day training is designed for landowners who want practical, real-world strategies for restoring Oregon white oak habitat and improving overall forest health. We’ll focus on choosing the right tool for the right place, whether that includes thinning, mastication, prescribed fire, or other management approaches. Participants will see a live brush clearing demonstration and take part in a field tour to better understand how mechanical treatments can support oak restoration and long-term habitat management. Your ticket includes refreshments and a sack lunch. Target Audience Forest landowners Conservation / watershed partners Forestry professionals Learning Objectives By the end of this training, participants will: Understand the historical role of oak ecosystems in Oregon Identify common invasive species impacting oak habitat Recognize the connection between invasive vegetation, forest health and wildfire risk Evaluate when mechanical treatment, prescribed fire or other tools are appropriate Learn from the real-world oak restoration project at The Oregon Garden Hear directly from a landowner implementing oak restoration practices Identify available technical assistance and cost-share programs Schedule 8:30am: Check-in 8:45am: Welcome 9:00am: Logistics & Overview 9:15am: History of Oak in Oregon 9:45am: Common Oak Invasives 10:15am: Invasives, Forest Health & Wildfire Risk 10:45am: Break 10:55am: Oak Restoration: Fire as a Tool & Other Management Options 11:30am: Oregon Garden Oak Restoration Project 12:15pm: Lunch Break 12:45pm: Brush Removal Demonstration & Field Tour 2:00pm: Landowner Testimony 2:30pm: Resources & Cost Shares 3:30pm: Conclude