April 29, 2024 2:50 a.m.

The Oregon Department of State Lands is accepting letters of interest for the Elliot State Research Forest Board of Directors.

An ODSL release said ensuring accountability, transparency, and meaningful engagement is critical to establishing and operating the Elliot as a public research forest. Earlier this month, the State Land Board approved a research forest oversight structure that includes the appointment of an ESRF Board of Directors.

The ESRF Board will guide management of the research forest, with authority to shape management, research, conservation, economic and social outcomes of relevance at the local, statewide, national, and international level.

The ESRF board will consist of seven or nine voting and one non-voting member designated by ESRF’s lead research entity. Voting members are appointed by the State Land Board. The DSL Director will review letters of interest and develop a list of candidates for State Land Board consideration at its June 11th meeting.

Individuals interested in being considered for the board should review the recruitment flyer which is available at: https://www.oregon.gov/dsl/Documents/ESRF_BoardRecruitment_April2024.pdf

The Elliot State Forest is in Douglas and Coos counties.