Serious About Sustainability
Founded in 1936, Starker Forests is an example of sustainable forest management practices in Western Oregon.
With more than 90,000 acres of forestland, we manage with the vision that our forests meet the need for wood products today, while sustainably growing the wood that will be needed in the future. Our forests include a wide variety of ages that offer habitat for a range of wildlife species that call our forests home.
Our land is carefully managed by Starker Forests’ team of professional foresters to provide high-quality timber products, family-wage jobs, wood products, and ecosystem services important to environmental and human health and well-being.
Ownership
Our ownership is managed in accordance with the Oregon Forest Practices Act, which sets standards for all commercial activities on Oregon’s private forestlands. Key to the maintenance of healthy and productive forests is our continued collaboration with forest researchers who address important technical questions related to sustainable forestry and the government regulation of forestry operations.
Management
Managing forests in changing climates and economies can be a daunting task. Risks such as wildfire, insects or disease can threaten the health of the forest and we believe that active management of our forests is key to keeping forests as forests for the long term.
Tree Species
As is common for Western Oregon forests, the majority of our forests are managed on an even-aged forest structure, where the dominant species is Douglas-fir. A variety of other native tree species are planted in our forests.
Biodiversity
Private, working forests like ours provide a variety of age classes for wildlife. A mix of ages of forests provide increased biodiversity across the landscape. Each year, our harvested stands are replanted with 500,000 to 600,000 seedlings of a variety of native conifers and hardwood trees, including Douglas-fir, Oregon white oak, western red cedar, incense cedar, western hemlock, ponderosa pine, Oregon ash and grand fir.
Our forests are certified as sustainable
Starker Forests is certified by the American Tree Farm System. This means we are committed to maintaining healthy forests by following sustainable forest management practices and techniques. American Tree Farm System certification is done by a third-party auditor who validates and recognizes that landowners are committed to doing their best for their land and managing the forests for the long term.
All certified family forest owners have a management plan that addresses air, water, soil quality, wildlife, special sites, invasive species and integrated pest management. Forestlands are inspected by American Tree Farm System trained foresters to ensure that land management activities are up to standards and forest owners are held accountable.
Our Sustainability Plan
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Carbon
Carbon
Our working forests provide a substantial carbon benefit in three ways. As our forests grow, they sequester carbon from the atmosphere. This means that the forests remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store the carbon in trees, roots and soils, and eventually in forest products. Those wood products, such as homes, buildings and furniture, store carbon long-term. Wood products are recyclable, biodegradable and renewable. Finally, using a wood product for a construction material as a substitute for other products can reduce net atmospheric carbon over time.
Soil
Soil
The soils of Western Oregon are rich in carbon, nitrogen, and many other macro- and micro-nutrients, which contribute to growing some of the most productive forests in the world. Like trees, soil stores carbon for long periods of time and maintaining healthy soils is critical to maintaining productive forest ecosystems.
Wildlife
Wildlife
Starker Forests’ forestlands provide habitats for mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, pollinators, and insects, and we recognize the important role that each plays in complex ecosystems. Our forests are home to numerous herds of Roosevelt elk, black-tailed deer and black bear. Our certified wildlife biologist helps us ensure that the way we use our forests makes a positive impact on wildlife. For example, longer rotation ages provide for an increase in species diversity, and young, early seral forests provide important habitat for foraging deer and elk, pollinators, and nesting songbirds.
Clean Water
Clean Water
Starker Forests manages forests in the watersheds of hundreds of streams, from unnamed creeks to the popular Marys and Alsea Rivers. We recognize the importance of clean water for human and ecological communities, and we strive to maintain and improve stream health. In Oregon, the highest quality water comes directly from forestlands, including actively managed forests. Modern forest management laws in Oregon require leaving buffers around streams, rivers and wetlands that are sources of drinking water or where fish live in order to protect water quality. Our transportation network is managed to minimize sediment entering waterways.
Committed to the Land,
Committed to the Community
Our excellence in forestry is matched only by our desire to stay involved with our community through education, outreach and support.