Family Forestland Tour

On Tuesday our fellows, interns, and program manager visited the private forest of Anne and Richard Hanshu. The Hanshu’s own approximately 500 acres of forest in the Gales Creek area, just west of Portland. They have owned and managed the land for over 50 years and continue to manage it so they can pass it on to their children. They were voted Oregon Tree Farmers of the Year back in 2000 and manage their property for timber, wildlife, and riparian health, and aesthetics. They are trying to find a way to economically sustain their property and are considering entering the emerging carbon market. The link for the YouTube video shows them on CNN's Business Weekly program talking about this aspect of their forest.

YouTube Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJwlJIMb1Js

Hanshu's Website

http://www.doneen.com/

We enjoyed friendly hospitality and an honest assessment of their forest management practices. They took us through thinned stands, replanted stands, and restored riparian areas.

“I’m impressed that just two people are managing the forest this intensely. The Hanshu’s seem to know every tree on their property and to work nonstop between pruning, planting, harvesting, building, educating, and advocating. What struck me visually is how similar their stands look after different amounts of thinning. They have a beautiful forest.” –Danielle, intern

“Learning about how to protect riparian areas is important to me because I haven’t seen this practice in the Congo. I learned that it is important to create shade along the creek to block the light so the creek remains cool for the fish.” -Elikia, fellow from the DR Congo.
We thank Anne and Richard and hope to be back soon!
Click on the picture for more photos.