WOODBURN, Ore. — A recent donation of more than two cords of firewood from the Oregon Department of Forestry is helping support culturally sustaining programs for Native American youth at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility.
ODF staff delivered the firewood from the Tillamook State Forest to the Woodburn facility, where it will be used during ceremonies, gatherings and cultural activities coordinated through the Oregon Youth Authority.
“In these times of tight budgets, we are grateful for the wonderful donation to support our youth,” said Griselda Solano-Salinas, director of OYA’s Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations.
According to Solano-Salinas, the office organizes Native American special events and activities at MacLaren and other OYA facilities, including smudging ceremonies, powwows, sweat lodges, drum circles, arts and crafts and other cultural programs. Campfires are often central to those events.
OYA reports that approximately 50 youth in its facilities identify as Native American.
“Our goal is to connect them with their community through an explanation and exploration of their traditions and beliefs and help them better understand their roots and culture,” Solano-Salinas said. “Our hope is this reconnection helps them be proud of their heritage and become productive citizens by living their culture values after they leave OYA.”
The donated wood represents only a small portion of the firewood produced annually at the South Fork Forest Camp, a partnership between ODF and the Oregon Department of Corrections.
At the camp, adults in custody work year-round clearing downed trees after storms and removing hazardous trees near roads, trails and recreational areas within the Tillamook State Forest.
“Throughout the year our South Fork AIC crews cut up downed trees after storms and remove other hazard trees on or near roads, trails and recreational sites,” said Brian Burchfield, ODF’s shop foreman at South Fork. “Each year we provide our Recreation, Education and Interpretation program 100 cords of firewood to sell at Tillamook State Forest campgrounds.”
The campground firewood bundles, sold for $5 each, help fund ODF recreation and education programs while also encouraging visitors to “buy it where you burn it,” a practice aimed at preventing the spread of invasive pests and tree diseases.
ODF officials said the donation reflects the agency’s broader mission of managing state forest lands to provide environmental, economic and social benefits for Oregonians.
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The value of 2 cords of firewood is low, surprised this is news worthy.