Corvallis Seeks Input on Draft Forest Plan

March 17, 2026 - The City of Corvallis Public Works Department is hosting an open house on April 6 to share the draft forest stewardship plan developed by the 

Corvallis Forest Stewardship Plan Update Task Force prior to its review and consideration by the City Council. The City owns and manages the Corvallis Forest in the Rock Creek Watershed, which plays a key role in supplying the community’s drinking water.

“The updated Corvallis Forest Stewardship Plan reflects years of collaboration and careful thought about how we manage this community asset,” said David Gilbey, Environmental Services & Regulatory Affairs Supervisor for the City of Corvallis. “The Corvallis Forest protects our drinking water and supports habitat. This draft plan helps ensure we continue managing the forest in a way that protects these values for generations to come.”

The updated Forest Stewardship Plan is available for public review and comment. To support this, the City is hosting an open house from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, April 6, at the Corvallis Public Library, 645 NW Monroe Ave.

An online platform featuring the same materials will launch on April 6 on the project webpage (corvallisoregon.gov/cfsp) and will accept comments for 30 days. Community members are encouraged to review the information and submit comments either in-person at the open house or online. The plan will go to the City Council this summer for adoption.

History of the Corvallis Forest

The City began acquiring land in the Rock Creek watershed to protect drinking water supplies in 1906. While the City's approach to forest management has evolved over time, Corvallis has a long history of collecting public feedback on how the forest should be maintained.

The 2026 Forest Stewardship Plan is informed by nearly four years of meetings, policy review and Task Force discussions that considered adaptive management strategies to support the forest’s long-term resilience and stewardship.

The updated plan provides policy guidance focused on protecting water quality, maintaining forest health and habitat, reducing wildfire risk and planning for a changing climate. The plan also outlines potential ways to meet these goals using various strategies over the next decade.

The City encourages all members of the public to attend the open house, whether they’re deeply familiar with the Corvallis Forest or simply curious to learn more. This is an opportunity to better understand how the City manages this community resource.

What to Expect at the Open House

The upcoming open house will be a drop-in style event with information displays, as well as City staff and members of the Task Force who can speak to:

• The key elements of the draft plan 
• The City’s forest management approach and planning process 
• What’s in the forest today and what the City is working to improve
• Management strategies for the next decade
• How the City uses data to make sure it is using the right management approach

Learn more about the Corvallis Forest Stewardship Plan at corvallisoregon.gov/cfsp.