In this episode of the ‘In the Woods’ podcast by Oregon State University’s Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Program, host Jacob Putney interviews Thomas Stokely, a forest ecologist with The Nature Conservancy in Central Oregon. They discuss the significance of wildlife habitat connectivity, the impacts of habitat fragmentation and loss, the role of roads and recreation, and the importance of integrating fire management to promote ecosystem health. Thomas explains concepts like landscape ecology, connectivity, and fragmentation, emphasizing the need for effective management strategies to balance human activities with conservation efforts. They explore specific projects like the Oregon Connectivity Assessment Mapping Project and strategies for mitigating human impact on wildlife through community involvement and science-based forest management practices.

“ Allowing not only at the population level for these species to adapt, but an ecosystem level for all the nutrients and energy and matter to flow across the landscape to help provide that ecosystem function and services to humans. – Thomas Stokely, Forest Ecologist

In this episode of ‘In the Woods’ podcast, hosted by Lauren Grand of Oregon State University’s Extension Service, we delve into the application of permaculture principles in forestry. Joined by Andrew Millison, a seasoned permaculture designer and educator, we uncover how permaculture-oriented thinking—ranging from road placements to water harvesting and species diversity—can transform forest management for long-term health, productivity, and resilience. Learn about practical examples from Oregon and global insights, including innovative projects in India and Sub-Saharan Africa. Whether you are an experienced forester or a small woodland owner, this episode is packed with actionable insights and advanced strategies to enhance ecological sustainability and economic benefits in forestry.

“A well-designed and well-placed road can actually harvest water, infiltrate it into the subsoils, build the water table, and create a stable access way for managing a forest.” Andrew  Millison, Senior Instructor II in the Department of Horticulture