The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Tillamook Forest Center (TFC) will hold a Volunteer Open House Saturday from 1-3 p.m.
“Volunteers are a key part of the team that makes the Tillamook Forest Center such a great place for our visitors,” said Denise Berkshire, Director of the TFC. “People ask us a lot of questions about how to volunteer and what volunteers can do here, so we thought it would be great to have a dedicated day to explain how folks can share their love of the forest.”
During this first ever Volunteer Open House, potential volunteers will get a behind-the-scenes tour of the center, meet the TFC’s friendly team, and learn how they can help share the forest’s story with visitors.
There are three main roles for volunteers at the TFC: field trip assistant, information desk greeter, and facilities and grounds assistant.
“If you want to inspire the next generation then consider helping out as a field trip assistant during our forestry field trips programs,” said Berkshire. “If you love to talk with people and want to be the welcoming face of the center then an information desk greeter is a great fit. On the other hand, if you like to work outdoors or like to organize and tidy up then volunteering as a facilities and grounds assistant might be for you.”
And once you find your perfect fit at the open house you can apply on-site Saturday. To register for the Volunteer Open House, email: TFC.InterpretationandEducation@odf.oregon.gov with your name and potential interest area.
Consider bringing others along for the day even if they are not ready to volunteer. They can see the innovative programs and hands-on exhibits in the 13,500 square-foot center. The goal of the TFC is for visitors to gain a greater understanding about what a forest is, how it works, and forest history. Discover the power of fire through the award-winning film Legacy of Fire, the miracle of the salmon lifecycle, and the resilient, dynamic, and productive nature of state forests.
There is also plenty to explore outside the center including: A 40-foot-tall fire lookout tower that offers a unique view of the area and the surrounding forest canopy. A 250-foot-long suspension bridge over the Wilson River and interpretative trails that lead from the building, through the woods and along the river, providing insight into the past, present, and future of the forest. Plus, much more.
The TFC’s spring hours are Wednesday–Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Center is located at 45500 Wilson River Highway in the middle of the Tillamook State Forest.
For more information on the TFC, or how to apply to volunteer if you can’t make the open house, go to: www.tillamookforestcenter.org