World Forestry Center seeks $1M for Oregon forest education projects

The Joint Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Capital Construction convened on May 9, 2025, to discuss significant funding requests aimed at enhancing cultural and educational resources in Oregon. The meeting featured testimonies from various stakeholders advocating for projects that promise to enrich community engagement and address pressing social issues.

The session began with Joe Furia, Executive Director of the World Forestry Center, presenting a compelling case for Senate Bill 5331. Furia highlighted the Center's transformative role in connecting people with forests through educational programs and exhibits. He emphasized the anticipated increase in visitor numbers from 50,000 to 80,000 annually following the completion of a $24 million campus transformation, which includes a $1 million funding request from the state. This investment aims to enhance public understanding of forests' roles in addressing challenges such as climate change and population growth.

Following Furia, Joaquin Lara Mirkiff represented the Capas Leadership Institute, advocating for a $10 million request to support the Inawak Farm in Turner. This teaching farm, which serves Oregon's migrant indigenous communities, has made strides in cultural education and food security. Mirkiff noted the farm's successful acquisition of 60 acres, marking a historic achievement for Oregon's farmworker movement. The farm provides programming that focuses on traditional culture and culinary arts, benefiting over 1,200 community members, primarily youth. Mirkiff underscored the farm's role in alleviating food insecurity for approximately 600 farmworker families annually.

The discussions underscored the importance of state investment in cultural resources, with both presenters articulating how their projects contribute to community resilience and education. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further evaluate the funding requests, reflecting the state's ongoing support for initiatives that strengthen Oregon's cultural fabric and address critical social issues.