Weyerhaeuser Helps Establish Oregon’s Newest Public Research Forest

Stakeholders tour the Tualatin Mountain Forest. "It's really quite a mountain biking haven," Jammer says. "That kind of public enthusiasm made the parcel stand out."

Weyerhaeuser recently sold more than 3,000 acres in Multnomah County, Oregon, to the Trust for Public Land, which transferred the parcel to Oregon State University. But it was no ordinary land sale. It was a landmark conservation deal 10 years in the making that's expected to have positive ripple effects for decades to come.

Now called the Tualatin Mountain Forest, the site is a rare gem - not only is it a working forest with sweeping views of downtown Portland and easy access for local schools and community groups, but it also has a well-loved mountain biking trail system.

"Conserving and opening access to the Tualatin Mountain Forest is an investment in the health and well-being of communities across the Portland metro area, for those here now, and for future generations," Kristin Kovalik, Oregon Program Director for Trust for Public Land, said in a press release. "We're deeply grateful for the collaboration between partners, which will help ensure that everyone can connect with the outdoors and experience the benefits of nearby nature."

"We collaborated with external counsel, internal legal, timberlands and local neighbors," Jammer says. "It took all of us working together."

A RARE FOREST WITH HUGE POTENTIAL

The 3,100-acre forest stood out for many reasons - not least its location.

"You can actually see Portland's skyline from the ridge," says Jammer Free, land asset manager based in our Vancouver, Washington, office. "That proximity to such a large metro area made it especially valuable for recreation, conservation and education."

The area has a long history of mountain biking, with an established lease and a well-used trail network. That recreational legacy will continue and expand under OSU's ownership, alongside new opportunities for forestry students and researchers.

"This isn't just a forest," Jammer says. "It's a place where the public can learn, where students can gain hands-on experience, and where we can help inspire the next generation of foresters."

"We see this as the beginning of a deeper partnership with OSU," Alex says. "There's so much potential for long-term collaboration."

PARTNERS IN A SHARED VISION

The site has long attracted conservation interest but only gained serious traction recently as Trust for Public Land secured its funding. Crossing the finish line required years of collaboration between Weyerhaeuser, Trust for Public Land, OSU and a wide network of stakeholders and agencies.

"We had to align everything from legal terms to land use," Jammer says. "It took a lot of teamwork to coordinate details like arranging site access, managing active harvests, resolving boundary details and keeping things on track through the final transaction. There were a lot more moving parts than a typical land sale."

Steve Keniston, area manager for Northwest Oregon, helped coordinate from the Timberlands side to ensure operations aligned with the sale timeline.

"We had just completed a harvest on part of the property in 2024," he says. "We made sure everything was in sync on our end so the transaction could move forward smoothly."

Alex Littlejohn, director of Conservation, helped guide the project alongside Craig Crawford, director of Land Asset Management, and many others. The team credits long-standing relationships with Trust for Public Land and OSU as essential to the outcome.

"This is a great example of how conservation transactions support our broader company goals," Alex says. "In this case, it also reinforces our legacy of stewardship in the Pacific Northwest."

"A lot of our Western employees came through OSU," Jammer says. "This forest could inspire the next wave of foresters."

INSPIRATION FOR FORESTRY STUDENTS

The sale lays the groundwork for deeper collaboration with OSU, a university that already supplies many of our future employees in the region.

"Having a teaching and research forest right in our backyard is a win for everyone," Jammer says. "It opens the door to workforce development and creates a pipeline for students to explore careers in sustainable forestry."

Alex also believes the long-term impact will extend far beyond the boundaries of the property.

"This is about investing in future foresters, building stronger partnerships, and supporting the communities where we live and work," he says. "This is the kind of project that brings our values to life, and it's a story we're proud to be part of."