Projects: Highly Sensitive Sites
Sandy River Gorge at Camp Namanu in Clackamas County.
Barry began managing Camp Namanu for the Camp Fire USA Portland Metro Council in 2003. At that time, the camp, a beloved retreat for area youth since the 1920s, was grappling with the question of what to do with its forests. The 550-acre camp included hundreds of acres of commercially valuable timber, yet the desire for an older forest setting and the myriad camp activities limited the range of acceptable harvest practices. Barry worked with camp management to develop a plan that designated one third of the property as a no-cut reserve, and prescribed low-impact thinning on much of the remainder. The goal is to grow an older forest, using thinning to control tree density and favor healthier trees. To accomplish this he has conducted logging himself, training and employing young foresters to help. This arrangement provides flexibility and an eye for detail that meets the camp’s needs, enhancing the beauty of the forest while generating modest income for the camp.