Forest Memorial Service

Image
hat resting on the stump of a cut down tree

Forest Memorial Service | 2019

Location: Rotary Shelter in Willamette Park, Corvallis

In May of 2019, Oregon State University’s College of Forestry clear-cut a beloved old-growth forest grove. The “No Vacancy” cut, which occurred near Corvallis in the McDonald-Dunn Research Forest, destroyed 16 acres of ancient trees, including at least one Douglas fir dating to Shakespearean times — 1599.

On Oct. 20, 2019, Spring Creek Project held a Forest Memorial Service to mourn the death of these ancient trees in partnership with Friends of OSU Old Growth. We invited the public to the Rotary Shelter in Willamette Park for the service, which included music by soloists from the Corvallis Youth Symphony, songs by members of the Jubilate Choir, poetry from Oregon’s Poet Laureate Kim Stafford, a meditation by essayist Kathleen Dean Moore called “The Terrible Silence of the Sky” and a benediction by children. Jill McAllister, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Corvallis, led the memorial service.

“The cutting of these ancient trees has caused a deep wound in our community — one that will last for generations,” said Doug Pollock, the founding director of Friends of OSU Old Growth. “This ceremony is not about politics or forestry practices; it’s about a community coming together to express our profound sadness about what has been lost.”

Image
audience at the forest memorial service
Image
moss on a pacific northwest tree in the forest
Image
hat resting on the stump of a cut down tree
Image
kathleen dean moore at the forest memorial service

At a later date, a memorial plaque was placed on the stump of a 420-year-old tree, quoting Wangari Maathai: “We are called to assist the Earth to heal her wounds and in the process heal our own.”

Whether the cut was authorized by the College of Forestry management plan or College administration was the subject of controversy. In emails to the College, Interim Dean Anthony Davis called the cut “a mistake.”

We invite you to watch the full memorial service below (34 minutes). A shorter version, the Forest Memorial Service Highlights (12 minutes), is also available.

Remote video URL