Rediscover Oregon's Forestry Stories
Celebrate Arbor Month:
Unearthing Forgotten Forestry Narratives
April 27, 2024 1:00 PM ~ Tillamook Forest Center
With April designated as Arbor Month in Oregon, State Forests Trust is please to sponsor a presentation by Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center and the Vernonia Pioneer Museum at the Tillamook Forest Center (TFC) on their work to record and preserve the historic contributions foresters have made in Oregon.
What are your roots in Oregon forestry? Do you or your family have a personal connection to the Tillamook forest area? Following the presentation, you are invited to share your heritage, personal accounts, and physical artifacts that are rooted in the Tillamook forest area, or simply join to hear the rarely told stories.
This presentation builds on the Timber Culture traveling exhibit, which Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center loaned to the TFC last summer. The exhibit depicted the lives of loggers and their families drawn together from different cultures during the great migration, presenting an inclusive look at Oregon's multicultural logging communities.
How a friendly run became a racing family
According to his parents, Jeremy was running before he walked. Fast forward to 2012, when Jeremy Long, a young father living in Hillsboro, discovered the picturesque Gales Creek Trail in the Tillamook State Forest. Freshly restored by the Oregon Department of Forestry after the 2007 winter storm, Jeremy was captivated by this hidden gem so close to the Portland Metro area, yet offering a real backcountry feel.
Eager to share his newfound haven, Jeremy started organizing group runs with friends, who were equally enchanted by the trail's exceptional quality.
What began as casual outings soon blossomed into the beloved Tillamook Burn Race, an event that brings together a tight-knit community of trail enthusiasts from across the country.
"Runners have an extended family they connect with at races," Jeremy explains. Today, with a participant cap of 180, the Tillamook Burn Race is a sought-after event, especially for those seeking a mountain experience without snow. Jeremy attributes its allure to the forest's unique charm and the race's laid-back, camp-like atmosphere.
Inspired by the success of the Tillamook Burn Race, Jeremy and his brother Aaron founded Daybreak Racing, committed to fostering the running community through 11well-organized, grassroots races across the Pacific Northwest. But it doesn't stop there – Daybreak Racing is also giving back.
"We believe in supporting the places we love to run," Jeremy shares. A portion of race proceeds goes to the State Forests Trust of Oregon(SFTO),aiding the Oregon Department of Forestry in their trail management efforts. Additionally, Daybreak Racing proudly supports the volunteers of the Northwest Trail Alliance (NTWA), assisting in the seasonal maintenance of our cherished trails.
Jeremy and Aaron are often working on the trails themselves. "We're out therewith the NWTA, clearing brush and honing trails because we believe if you are going to use the trails, you also need to work on them," Jeremy says. "So many people benefit from recreating in state forests. We all need to think about and do what we canto help maintain these areas."
Volunteer for the Tillamook Burn Race, May 10-12, 2024,
Click here for more information.
Become Part of State Forests’ Legacy
Did you know you can leave a lasting impact on Oregon's state forests? By considering a legacy gift to the State Forests Trust of Oregon (formerly Tillamook Forest Heritage Trust), you can support the Tillamook Forest Center and enhance recreation facilities and programs for all Oregonians on these public forests far into the future. Consider the legacy you might want to leave. For more information, contact kelly.lau@stateforeststrust.org.
