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Summer 2022 | Volume 16, Number 1 |
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Inspiring people to connect with the Tillamook State Forest
 Interim Director
Denise Berkshire
Interpretation / Education
Coordinator
Vacant
Interpretive & Education
Specialists
Stefanie Landman
Vacant
Facilities Maintenance
Coordinator
Mac Erickson
Facilities Maintenance
Specialist
Teresa Anderson
Visitor Services
Coordinator
Vacant
Visitor Services
Specialists
Grace Demezas
State Forests Trust of Oregon, Executive Director
Lorie Wigle
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When is the Center going to reopen?
You are not alone if you have been wondering when the Tillamook Forest Center is going to reopen. Following two difficult years, 2022 looked promising. We are anxious to reopen and host visitors with smiles and an overdue hello. Unfortunately, due to significant staff turnover, recruitment challenges, and facility maintenance requirements the difficult decision was made to postpone re-opening until March 1, 2023.
We are working diligently to rebuild the team and prepare the facility to host friends and supporters after a lengthy closure. Limited services will resume throughout the forest in August once team members are hired and trained.
While the center will remain closed to the public, limited staff are still accessible to provide customer service via phone and email.
Limited in-class and virtual offerings will be available in the fall of 2022 and forest field trips will resume in the spring of 2023. We are not accepting facility rental requests or gift shop orders currently.
The closure includes gates to both the bridge and parking lot. However, access is available to the Wilson River Trail and bridge from the Jones Creek Day-use Area. Surrounding recreation sites including trails, campgrounds, and day-use areas are open to the public and continue to provide forest opportunities during the Tillamook Forest Center closure.
For current information on Tillamook State Forest recreation facilities (campgrounds, day-use areas, and trails), please visit the recreation link on the ODF website.
We thank you for your patience and look forward to seeing you next year!
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 A brand new TFC team is emerging
We are thrilled to have these new staff onboarded
Mac Erickson | Facilities Maintenance Coordinator
Mac has deep roots in Tillamook County where his family has resided since the early 1900’s. He grew up enjoying fishing, hunting, and exploring in the Tillamook State Forest. For the past 20 years, he and his wife resided in Vancouver, WA where Mac was a facilities Director for a large Assisted Living Facility. Recently, he and his family moved to Tillamook, to build a house and reside there for many years to come.
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Stefanie Landman | Interpretation Specialist
Hi everyone! My name is Stefanie Landman, and I’m excited to be joining the Tillamook Forest Center team as an interpreter. Previously I’ve worked as a naturalist, gardener, and with horses. Spending time outside is – of course – one of my favorite things, especially exploring new plants and searching for birds. While not working, I like swimming, baking bread, and spending time with my pets. Fun fact: I’ve lived in six different states.
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Grace Demezas | Visitor Services Specialist
Grace was born in Salem and has lived in Oregon her entire life. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Willamette University, and a Professional Science Master’s (PSM) in Fisheries and Wildlife Administration from Oregon State University. Her experiences are varied and include working in a bookstore, giving musical instrument lessons, and working in wildlife rehabilitation. Grace’s main hobby is music, and she plays seven instruments!
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Teresa Anderson | Facilities Maintenance Specialist
If you have been with us for a while, you will notice this familiar smile. Teresa Anderson has returned once again, but this time for good! After numerous volunteering hours and holding a seasonal Facilities Assistant position at the Center, she has accepted a permanent position! The TFC holds special memories for Teresa, and we are thrilled she is part of the team. When she isn’t working, she is helping her father in the hazelnut orchard and doting on her new granddaughter.
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 Volunteers keep the wheels turning
An extension of the TFC team
Sachi Arakawa | Virtual Graphic Design Volunteer
Sachi is a map maker, city planner, and tree lover who has lived in the Portland area for over 20 years. When she is not working behind a desk you can find her out exploring hiking trails of the Cascades and Coast Range or lifting weights at her local gym. She currently lives on a farm in Washington County with too many chickens and a pesky dog.
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Ramon and Mary Ferguson | Site Hosts Volunteers
These two friendly site hosts are retired from California state service: Ramon from law enforcement and Mary from the medical field. They enjoy nature including forests from the coast to the high desert. They enjoy learning and find when helping others learn it is both heartwarming and rewarding. They recently became fulltime RVers and are looking forward to traveling, meeting new people, and sharing their experiences with others.
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Erin McNally | Facilities Volunteer
Erin is an accountant and High School Boys Basketball Coach. She is looking to switch careers and gain more experience, so volunteering is a good opportunity to learn more about facilities, forestry, and education. Her favorite part of volunteering is the location! She has a long drive, but the last 20 miles are through the beautiful forest. Even walking to and from her car makes Erin smile. She likes to travel a lot and has a bed/mini home set up in her car to go on adventures at any moment. Most of her free time is spent planning the next trip.
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We are grateful to have the opportunity to partner with the Oregon Youth Corps (OYC) in July and August. OYC is associated with Oregon’s Higher Education Coordination Commission, and their mission is to provide students with a paid opportunity to learn about various fields they could pursue after graduation. A preview of what the students will be involved with includes replacement of trailside benches, refinishing handrails, and landscaping. It has been a real pleasure to hear youthful voices onsite again!
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