Starker Forests plans to kick off its Summer Tour Series on Wednesday and will follow with four more opportunities to enjoy the woods around Philomath.
The series includes two driving forest tours, two forest hikes and a mill and forest tour. The Starker Forests tours are free. For those interested, they are asked to RSVP via phone at 541-929-2477 or email at recreation@starkerforests.com.
Organizers said anyone planning to participate should remember to dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.
Following is a description of each tour:
- Wednesday, July 17 — Driving forest tour. The group will meet at the Starker Forests office at noon, ride a bus through the forest and arrive back at the office by 4 p.m. The tour includes a half-mile walk where participants will learn about a wide range of forestry topics and management practices.
- Saturday, July 27 — Forest hike. The group will meet at the Soap Creek Tree Farm north of Corvallis at 9 a.m., go for a hike through the forest and arrive back at the cars by 11 a.m. The exact meeting location will be provided to the registrants. The tour includes up to a 2-mile walk where participants will learn about a wide range of forestry topics and management practices.
- Wednesday Aug. 7 — Driving forest tour. The group will meet at the Starker Forests office at noon, ride a bus through the forest and arrive back at the office by 4 p.m. The tour includes a half-mile walk where participants will learn about a wide range of forestry topics and management practices.
- Saturday, Aug. 17 — Forest hike. The group will meet at the Dan Farmer Tree Farm along Decker Road at 9 a.m., go for a hike through the forest and arrive back at the cars by 11 a.m. The exact meeting location will be provided to the registrants. The tour includes up to a 2-mile walk where participants will learn about a wide range of forestry topics and management practices.
- Wednesday, Aug. 28 — Mill visit and driving forest tour. The group will meet at the Starker Forests office at noon, ride a bus to Wren Hill Lumber for a mill tour, complete the afternoon with a drive through the forest and arrive back at the office by 4 p.m. The mill tour includes walking up stairs and on catwalks so participants are asked to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. The drive through the forest will include discussion about a wide range of forestry topics and management practices. No children under the age of 12 will be allowed on this excursion.
For more information on the Summer Tour Series, call 541-929-2477.