Forests Forever, Incorporated, a community nonprofit based in Clackamas County, last month launched its annual Friends of Hopkins fundraiser, which helps support operations and maintenance at its Hopkins Demonstration Forest in Beavercreek.
Last year’s Friends of Hopkins fundraiser raised more than $21,000 for the 140-acre demonstration forest located in rural Clackamas County south of Oregon City.
“We really appreciate the great support Forests Forever has received over these many years,” said Mike Bondi, a board member and one of the co-founders of the organization in 1990. “It has been amazing to watch our programs grow and the casual use of our forest become so important to so many community members.”
Bondi said the annual Friends of Hopkins fundraising campaign is dedicated each year to helping keep the lights on, gates open, and the restrooms clean.
“We receive grants for programs and facility improvements, but we raise additional monies for the more day-to-day expenses of operating the forest and our improvements,” Bondi said.
Other income that supports the demonstration forest is their active forest management and the sustainable harvest of trees on the property.
During this season of giving, Forests Forever asks you to consider sharing your joy as a Friend of Hopkins. All financial gifts are welcome.
For more information about this year’s fundraising project, or to receive a donation mailer, call 503-655-5524. Donations can also be made online at demonstrationforest.org.
In addition, the forest hosts a Community Forest Day every second Saturday of the month. Work begins at 8:30 a.m. with different tasks each month from building maintenance to trail upkeep or construction, tree planting, brush clearing, and setting up for educational programs, plus much more.
Lunch is served each month for the volunteers. Contact FFI to be added to their mailing list for information about upcoming activities and to reserve your spot at the Community Forest Day lunch table.
The group is also continuing work and fundraising for a major new addition to the Hopkins Demonstration Forest: a 2,400-square-foot outreach center that will provide residential space for the forest host and accommodations for overnight guests, along with a conference room and office.
About $254,000 of donations were committed to the project during the “quiet phase” before the project was formally announced in May. The public fundraising campaign has so far raised about two-thirds of the estimated $250,000 it will take to complete the project.
“The Outreach Center will be an important addition to our education and outreach efforts at Hopkins,” Bondi said.
“As we have grown over the years, we have needed better accommodations for our Forest Host plus the ability to offer overnight lodging for teachers, researchers, volunteers and visitors coming from all around the area and across the country to work at Hopkins and participate in our education programs and activities.”
As of last month, the center’s exterior had been finished in western red cedar that was harvested and milled on-site and installed by volunteers, and interior work was well underway, including utilities, sheetrock and painting, flooring and HVAC.
Bondi said he was overwhelmed by the early support and commitments made to this project starting last summer. Besides cash contributions, RSG Forest Products of Molalla donated the framing wood for the building and Freres Lumber of Lyons contributed the plywood.
“We really appreciate all of the support in the community and around the region,” Bondi said. “Our building will be a wonderful showcase of using the most sustainable building product there is — wood — in the construction of our center.”
All donors will be recognized in the center. Naming opportunities are also available.