Butte Falls Community Forest

For more than 20 years, the residents of Butte Falls, Oregon, envisioned a new future for the 430 forested acres surrounding the town, including the historic mill site along Big Butte Creek. Butte Falls, which lies 40 miles northeast of Medford, collaborated with Trust for Public Land and Oregon Solutions to purchase the land and create the Butte Falls Community Forest.

In 2020, a massive fire came within a half mile of the town. The increasing threat from wildfires spurred community action to purchase the surrounding forest, conserve it, and create strategic plans to reduce and manage forest fires. The town also hopes to promote economic development through outdoor recreation tourism and connect residents to nearby nature through trails and outdoor education opportunities.

Today, Butte Falls Community Forest is managed by residents for residents. Public ownership will continue to support high-quality jobs, and a new forest management plan will strengthen forest health and reduce the threat of catastrophic wildfires. Public access to trails will encourage residents to explore the outdoors and promote health. And planned multiuse trails and paths will make the forest accessible to children and adults of all abilities.

“The community forest will serve as an excellent model for other rural communities to create spaces that meet the greatest needs of residents, and we’re so proud to be part of helping the town’s vision come to fruition,” says Kristin Kovalik, Oregon program director for Trust for Public Land.