Trappist Abbey Manages for Stewardship and Livelihoods

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Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute

For the past fifty years, Our Lady of Guadalupe Trappist Abbey has managed 900 acres in the Willamette Valley, a short 30 miles from Portland. The religious community of 29 monks operate several cottage industries, and “express religion through work.” In addition to forestry, their businesses provide income for the community, and include a bookbindery, bakery, and wine warehouse.

The Abbey forest is an important element of the monastic community. The mixed conifer and oak stands provide a spiritual setting and a sense of retreat from the outside world.

With the help of a private forest manager, Scott Ferguson of Trout Mountain Forestry, the monks manage for long term productivity. Their forest is certified through the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Although operating costs are higher for FSC managed forests, the management philosophy fits well with the monks’ ownership goals, and certified logs ensure market access and last year saw a 20% market premium.

The Abbey forest gave Fellows an experience with private landowners, and a sense of the diverse objectives that they manage for. Private forestland owners are difficult to classify, as they are ten million in the US and their importance to land stewardship can not be underestimated.