Community Forest and Open Space Program: An Oregon Project Thurston Hills Springfield, Oregon Community forest with Springfield at left Why a Community Forest? Habitat protection and restoration Hiking, wildlife viewing Regional trail and habitat connections Compatible uses, e.g. mountain biking, equestrian Environmental education and volunteer stewardship Forestry Smart growth Rivers to Ridges regional open space vision Partnership with Willamalane Park and Recreation District Secured properties (approx. $8m) Conservation Finance Leveraged bond funds How Community Benefits: economic, environmental, educational, and recreational Medium: lacked specificity in describing how the community would benefit Public Participation Low: steering committee TBD; no current engagement Strategic Connection to Landscape Conservation Low: could have better articulated the project areas connection to a landscape scale initiative; value depended on completion of phase II Threat of Conversion to Non-Forest Use Medium: immediate threat low, increasing over time He We Scored Great partners in USFS Make sure its a community forest! Hard to build competitive project while managing community expectations Matching funds can be complicated Tight timing for Community Forest Plan Coordination and partnership = landscape success Celebrate! Lessons Thank you