Oregon is on its way to creating North America’s largest research forest, following this week’s decision by top state officials to separate the Elliott State Forest in southwest Oregon from its obligation to fund schools and designate the land as a place for scientific discovery. Oregon Public Broadcasting reports the State Land Board voted unanimously to create the 80,000-acre Elliott State Research Forest, signaling an end to a years-long debate over how to manage the forest that was failing to generate revenue for public education. The Elliott forest will remain in public ownership in collaboration with Oregon State University.
Oregon research forest will be North America’s largest
