Biological Diversity

Andrews Forest Monthly Meeting Feb 2026

Event Date:

Friday, February 6, 2026

Event Brief Description:

Andrews Forest Monthly Meeting: Friday, February 6, 9-11 AM

Presentations:

“Native Peoples of the Upper McKenzie River” presented by David G. Lewis, PhD, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Indigenous Studies, OSU
“Foliage and root diseases on Douglas-fir forests” Presented by Sky Lan, Botany and Plant Pathology, OSU. Sky recently published a book on her work in the canopy: Travelling on the Treetops.

After our presentations we will move into our community meeting, which includes updates on graduate student activities, site, WNF, community, education, new faces, and recent publications.

Peavy 302, Oregon State University. Contact Lina DiGregorio for zoom option.

Our meetings follow the academic year. Upcoming meetings: Feb 6, Mar 6, Apr 3, May 1, June 5

Andrews Forest Monthly Meeting Jan 2026

Event Date:

Friday, January 9, 2026

Event Brief Description:

Andrews Forest Monthly Meeting: Friday, January 9, 9-11 AM

Presentations:

“Economic valuation of carbon sequestration in 0ld-growth Douglas-fir dominated forest in the presence of fire: A co-benefit of the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest” Presented by Fiona Duggan-Fuchs¹, Sarah Gwynn², Alex Rendon¹, Christopher J. Still³ and John J. Gutrich¹

“Species performance and interactions mediated by microclimate across elevation and fire severity gradients.” Presented by Jeff Diez, Associate Professor, University of Oregon, https://blogs.uoregon.edu/diez

After our presentations we will move into our community meeting, which includes updates on graduate student activities, site, WNF, community, education, new faces, and recent publications.

Peavy 316, Oregon State University. Contact Lina DiGregorio for zoom option.

Our meetings follow the academic year. Upcoming meetings: Feb 6, Mar 6, Apr 3, May 1, June 5

¹ Department of Environmental Science, Policy & Sustainability, Southern Oregon University, Ashland, Oregon

²Geography and Geospatial Science Program, College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon

³ Department of Forest Ecosystems and Society, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon

Andrews Forest Monthly Meeting Dec 2025

Event Date:

Friday, December 5, 2025

Event Brief Description:

Andrews Forest Monthly Meeting: Friday, Dec 5, 9-11 AM

Presentations:

“Hot, or hot and thirsty: exploring tree physiological stressors with an irrigation experiment.” Presented by Anna Haigh, Cooper Parkins, Justine Rojas, Mark Schulze, Chris Still, Pam Sullivan, German Vargas G.
“Improving Biodiversity Assessments with eDNA.” Presented by Brooke Penaluna, Research Fish Biologist and Lead Scientist for H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest

After our presentations we will move into our community meeting, which includes updates on graduate student activities, site, WNF, community, education, new faces, and recent publications.

Peavy 302, Oregon State University. Contact Lina DiGregorio for zoom option.

Our meetings follow the academic year. Upcoming meetings: Jan 9, Feb 6, Mar 6, Apr 3, May 1, June 5

Andrews Forest Monthly Meeting Nov 2025

Event Date:

Friday, November 7, 2025

Event Brief Description:

Andrews Forest Monthly Meeting: Friday, Nov 7, 9-11 AM

Presentations:

Finding good neighbors in bad weather: Local interactions shape old-growth tree responses to climate. Presented by Cole Doolittle (Postdoctoral Scholar, Oregon State University) and Andrés Holz (Professor, Portland State University)
Macrofungi in the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest: past, present and future. Presented by Bitty Roy, prof. emerita, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Oregon

After our presentations we will move into our community meeting, which includes updates on graduate student activities, site, WNF, community, education, new faces, and recent publications.

Peavy 302, Oregon State University. Contact Lina DiGregorio for zoom option.

Our meetings follow the academic year. Upcoming meetings: Nov 7, Dec 5, Jan 9, Feb 6, Mar 6, Apr 3, May 1, June 5

Honors Thesis Defense on Avian Response to Wildfire

Event Date:

Monday, April 21, 2025

Event Brief Description:

Before-after-control-impact study reveals muted avian response to low-severity wildfire
Undergraduate Honors Thesis Defense

Lucy Heflin

WHEN: Monday, April 21 at 4 PM

WHERE: Peavy 316

Wildfire is increasing in frequency and severity across the western U.S., highlighting a need to understand how biological communities are responding to this disturbance. In this study I tested three hypotheses regarding bird response to 2020 Holiday Farm Fire in the H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest.

Lucy Heflin is a third year undergraduate honors student majoring in Natural Resources. She has participated in field work at the H.J. Andrews the past two summers and is a member of the Betts Forest Landscape Ecology Lab at OSU.

Research Experience for Undergraduates Intern Position Forest Microclimate

News Brief Description:

Opportunity: Research Experience for Undergraduates Intern Position studying forest microclimate and fungal symbiont effects on seedling success

Position period: June 2 – August 8 (10 weeks, flexible on start date)

Location: H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest, Blue River, Oregon and Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon

Description of the project: This research addresses how interactions between forest species mediates the effects of climate change using a reciprocal transplant field experiment at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest. While this project is a collaboration between several labs, the position will be primarily hosted by the Busby Lab (https://agmicrobiome.org/) from Oregon State University. This study was established in 2024 and encompasses plots across a range of microclimates from both a range in elevation and fire severity. At each plot we have planted hemlock and douglas fir seedlings at both heterospecific and conspecific focal trees. During this field season, our research has two main goals: 1. Collecting data on forest structure, microclimate, burn severity at the plot and focal tree level. 2. Measuring seedling success with several metrics including height and photosynthetic activity. In addition to the main goals, we may have few other projects related capturing the effects of the abiotic environment on seedlings, including litter decomposition and soil nitrogen mineralization.

Duties include: 1) learn and conduct focal tree measurements including basal area and burn rating 2) learn and assist in seedling surveys including data entry and error checking 3) assist in downloading and maintenance of temperature loggers, 4) co-lead a smaller project such as litter decomposition at focal trees, and 5) assisting in safety duties including gear prep, radio/sign out, and burn area hazard checks.

This internship will provide the undergraduate student an opportunity to participate in 10 weeks of mentored, paid, independent research. The student will interact with scientists, university faculty, federal scientists, and graduate students conducting research in the area. Participants will closely work with faculty, postdoc, and field mentors. The REU student will conduct supervised and guided research and be encouraged to tailor the research project to his/her own interests.

Apartment-style, shared-room housing is provided at the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest field station. The field station is located in the Willamette National Forest near Blue River, OR and provides access to great hiking and mountain biking trails, swimming holes, and other outdoor recreational opportunities. The Andrews Forest is also remote and about an hour away from comprehensive services and stores. The field station community ranges in size seasonally from 40-70 residents, and includes permanent staff, longer term field crews, visiting writers and artists, shorter term research crews, classes and conferences. The Lookout Creek watershed contains old growth coniferous forests, clear fast streams and diverse montane meadows. It is a beautiful landscape in which to work. There are also challenges associated with the steep terrain and remote location.

This position lasts for 10 weeks, June 2 through August 8, 2025 at 40 hours/week. The REU intern will be responsible for 1) meeting all requirements of the mentors and 2) writing a final research report on the research experience. Housing and a stipend of $6,000 will be provided. There are funds to defray the cost of traveling to the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest. Please note that the REU program is considered an educational program rather than employment; therefore, Oregon State University (OSU) does not provide Worker’s Compensation insurance coverage nor medical insurance on your behalf. You are responsible for your own health insurance coverage.

Position Requirements: Applicants should have a valid driver’s license, the ability to carry a heavy pack (40+ lb) for moderate distances (5+ mi) over uneven, mountainous terrain, and be comfortable spending long days on their feet in the field. The position will involve working early mornings and in inclement weather. Applicants should have a strong work ethic, be self-motivated, and comfortable with working in remote areas alone. Being a team player is necessary for group work/living situation. Ability to adapt to a variable work schedule is also necessary. Our transects are in steep mountain slopes and across valleys with old-growth forest towering 200 feet or more.

Eligibility: Eligibility is limited to currently enrolled undergraduates that have a graduation date no sooner than fall 2025. All applicants must be U.S. Citizens or permanent residents.

To apply: Please submit a brief cover letter (1 page) indicating your interest, experience and professional goals after graduation, resume or CV, transcripts (unofficial are acceptable), and 2 professional references (names, addresses, phone number, and email address) as 1 pdf document to: Amelia Fitch. Please include in the subject: HJA REU 2025 Application. Only complete applications will be considered. Review of applications will start April 4, 2025, and continue until a suitable candidate is identified.

Andrews Forest Monthly Meeting March 2025

Event Date:

Friday, March 7, 2025

Event Brief Description:

Andrews Forest Monthly Meeting: Friday, March 7, 9-11 AM

Presentations:

“Forests decouple understory temperatures over thirty-five years of climate warming” presented by Amelia Fitch, Postdoctoral Scholar, Forest Ecosystems and Society and College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.
“Investigating the role of host-associated microbial communities in Pseudotsuga menziesii seedling response to drought stress” presented by Abbey Neat, PhD Candidate in the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology at Oregon State University
“Building a multi-species classifier to identify bird vocalizations in H.J. Andrews bioacoustics data” presented by Nina Ferrari, PhD Candidate, Forest Ecosystems and Society at Oregon State University

After our presentations, at 10 AM, we will move into our community meeting, which includes updates on graduate student activities, site, WNF, community, education, new faces, and recent publications.

Peavy 315, Oregon State University. Contact Lina DiGregorio for zoom option.

Our meetings follow the academic year. Upcoming meetings: April 4, May 2, June 6.

Seed Masting Across Decades and Geography

Research conducted over decades can reveal patterns not visible in short-term studies, and research networks allow for comparisons across large geographic areas and a range of ecosystems. When both approaches are combined, opportunities arise to address ecological questions with conservation and management implications.