As summer heat waves hit and the risk of wildfire looms, I cannot help but fear for our community. I wonder when these threats will descend upon the forests that surround the Willamette Valley.

After attending Oregon State University’s June 5 community input session for the McDonald-Dunn Research Forest, I feel an even greater sense of worry and outrage. The proposed models for management of these public forests show little regard for resilience against wildfires. As numerous meeting attendees and experts pointed out, the models presented have the potential to significantly increase vulnerability to wildfires.

These forests are a safe haven for our community members. They offer shelter to protected species and the flora and fauna we are so privileged to share our home with, and they serve as invaluable carbon sinks in a time of climate crisis.

In continuing to actively clearcut stands in our public forests, the OSU College of Forestry is showing active disregard for community safety and wellbeing. I hope that OSU College of Forestry can listen to community members and behave with some measure of integrity before it is too late.

Ellie Cates, Corvallis

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