December 20, 2024 10:40 a.m.

State officials have announced that Darren Goodding will serve as the first manager of the Elliot State Research Forest.

A release from the Oregon Department of State Lands said Goodding has worked extensively in public forests, including management and on-the-ground roles with the U.S. Forest Service in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Most recently, he oversaw planning, science application, and communications for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. Goodding earned a master’s degree in sustainable forest management from Oregon State University, with additional study in natural resources and recreation resource management at OSU, advanced silviculture at Colorado State University and forest carbon management at Michigan State University. He will begin his new role on January 13th.

DSL Director Vicki Walker said, “Oregon’s first state research forest needed an exceptional first manager”. Walker said, “Darren’s experience with many aspects of forest management and working collaboratively with communities and partners will serve our state well as the Elliot State Research Forest begins operations next year.

Goodding currently serves on the boards of the Oregon Tree Farm System and the Washington State Society of American Foresters, the steering committee of the Northern Blues Forest Collaborative, and is the federal liaison to the Northeast Oregon Forests Resource Advisory Committee.
The release said the 83,000-acre Elliot State Research will be a nationally important center for forest science and management that also contributes to conservation, education, recreation, Indigenous culture and local economies here in Oregon. In October 2024, the State Land Board adopted an initial forest management plan for the forest. DSL is continuing collaborative efforts to implement the plan and complete other key actions to begin forest operations in 2025.

The Elliot State Research Forest is in Coos and Douglas Counties.