Summer 2019 | Volume 13, Number 3
Shawn Morford
News from the Trust
Welcome Shawn!
We are delighted to welcome Shawn Morford as the new Executive Director for the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust (TFHT) starting May 1. Shawn will oversee operations and support the TFHT board that sets policy and strategic direction for fundraising and partnership development in support of the Tillamook Forest Center and the State Forests Recreation Program.

The Trust has also been providing non-profit support for the Salmonberry Trail project. That role will be shifting to the newly formed Salmonberry Trail Foundation that is applying to become an independent, private, non-profit charity, a move that will broaden fundraising capacity for the large rails and trails project in Northwest Oregon. The move will enable the Trust to concentrate fully on the education mission of the Tillamook Forest Center and enhance support for recreation programs on state forest lands – two of the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) missions that are experiencing increasing demand among Oregonians.

Shawn has had a long career that began with the Oregon Department of Forestry in Public Affairs during the 1980s. She has held a wide range of leadership roles in Oregon and British Columbia, Canada including positions with Oregon State University Extension, tribal governments, non-profits, and private consulting. She holds a bachelor’s degree in forestry and communications from Michigan State University, a master of agriculture degree in rural development and extension (adult) education from OSU, and a PhD in forestry from the University of British Columbia in Canada. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director for the non-profit Network of Oregon Watershed Councils that supports and represents the state’s 90 community-based non-profit watershed councils.
Happy trails!
If you came to any TFC 10 th anniversary celebrations, the first or second Root Ball, or many other recent TFC events, it is likely that you saw Ross Holloway there. Ross served as Executive Director of the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust beginning in May of 2012 and he is retiring after his second ODF career, with more than 30 years of service to ODF. As the Trust’s Executive Director, Ross guided strategic planning for the Trust, took the lead in the successful capital campaign for building and furnishing the Forest Education Pavilion, and has been heavily involved in fundraising and planning for the proposed Salmonberry Trail in coordination with the Salmonberry Trail Intergovernmental Agency. He has been a strong advocate for the TFC since the late 1990s. It has been a privilege to work with Ross and we wish him the very best in his (real) retirement.

Thank you!
We would like to express our gratitude to Mike Cafferata, District Forester for the Forest Grove District for ODF, who has been serving as interim Executive Director of the Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust since early 2019. Mike is working with new TFHT Executive Director, Shawn Morford, as she transitions into her position.
Helping hands help us grow
The Tillamook Forest Center is being joined by several new and returning members to our volunteer team, and we’re looking to keep growing it. Growth started this spring with our annual volunteer training, where volunteers learned new improvisation techniques for responding to ever-changing needs of visitors and different flows of conversation. It also provided opportunities for everyone on our team to meet and mingle, since our schedules don’t always align. New team members and seasoned veterans laughed and shared their experiences that brought them here to the center. We’d love to introduce you to some of our new volunteers and also some new opportunities available to volunteers!

Barbara Dunnette
Originally from California, but a Forest Grove resident since 1976, Barbara joins us after a storied career as a children’s librarian and master of children’s puppetry. She has a deep love of the natural world and has volunteered at several local nature centers and refuges before finding her new home here with the Tillamook Forest Center’s education team. In other free time she enjoys taking her therapy dog to hospitals and senior centers to enhance the lives of others.

Bill & Donna Kubicz
While they took a one year hiatus from our team, this dynamic duo is back again to thrill our guests. Bill will be the second puppet master joining our team this summer, contributing a cadre of talking critters to our exhibit hall. This Navy vet and his wife, Donna, who serves as a resource to visitors in our gift shop and at the information desk, are an enthusiastic and exciting pair who we’re happy to welcome back.

One thing that draws many volunteers here is a love of nature and the outdoors, and an attitude of positivity and helpfulness. One of our newest opportunities is engaging that love of being outside and helping people. Volunteer trail ambassadors will assist with litter removal, checking stock in outdoor resources for visitors, manicuring trails, cleaning interpretive signage, and serving as a resource for other recreationists. This new opportunity will help provide breadth to a team of facilities staff that manage our 40 acre site.

Of course, we still have openings in our education, interpretation, and visitor services teams! Fill out an application or contact us today at (503) 815-6803 if you have any questions.
Painting by Dennis Worrel - "Wilson River"
Forest to the Pacific : summer art exhibit celebrates Route 6
June 1 - September 1, 2019

Highway 6 is more than just a road; it is a thread that connects us to each other, and to the unique landscapes that surround us. This summer, come discover the marvel of this rugged route at the Tillamook Forest Center’s latest art exhibit: Forest to the Pacific. This exhibit, as well as new “Poetry Pause” banners which will be floating above the trails, are the culmination of a year-long celebration of Highway 6 and its new designation as the Trees to Sea Scenic Byway. To honor this new designation, local artists from Art Accelerated Gallery in Tillamook created work representative of the abundant beauty of the scenic byway. Featured artists include Ann Harper, Dennis Worrel, Thea Defeyter, Connie Vincent, Bob Riley, and Christine Harrison. Using a variety of mediums, each artist brings a unique perspective to their portrayal of the region, with subjects ranging from cultural landmarks and logging history to the natural beauty of the landscape.

Come meet the artists at the exhibit’s casual opening reception, to be held on Sunday, June 30 th , from 2:00 to 3:30 pm. This year of celebration has been in partnership with the Tillamook County Pioneer Museum, Tillamook Forest Center, Art Accelerated, and Visit Tillamook Coast. Join us to finish off the celebration in style and support our local Tillamook artists!
 
As always, our summer schedule will be filled with engaging naturalist-led programs for all ages. Visit the TFC website for more details on upcoming programs and events.
What’s new in store?
Have you stopped in to see the gift shop lately? We work hard behind the scenes to keep the store fresh and new and are excited to show off a few items we hope you will enjoy as much as we do. Three fun items are featured in the image below: a brand-new stylish hooded sweatshirt; delicious new snacks; and fun new jewelry.

Mossy green on the outside with a pop of bright green on the inside, this sweatshirt reminds us of the many shades of green on the forest floor that change throughout the year.

Heading out for a hike? Stop in the gift shop and pick up some delicious snacks! Locally made from the best ingredients and easy to pack, these snacks are sure to satisfy your trail hunger.

Made in the USA and featuring a wide variety of unique nature-inspired designs, this jewelry from Nature Cast has been a hit with our staff. We think you’ll like them too.

If you haven't stopped in lately, we hope you will soon. You might be surprised by what you can find in the store for this season. 
Gift shop goodies!
Save the date for upcoming programs