World Forestry Center

Free Day Series at the Discovery Museum
2025-08-24 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-26 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Discovery Museum, World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Explore the wonders of World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum at no cost today, from 10 am – 4 pm. Free Day Series at the Discovery Museum is brought to you by the Ben B. Cheney Foundation, in celebration of the Foundation’s 50th Anniversary and its enduring commitment to community.
Join us for the full series: March 24, April 27, August 24, October 26, and November 30.
About the Ben B. Cheney Foundation: Businessman, entrepreneur, and sports enthusiast Ben B. Cheney lived life fully and richly, devoting himself to his work, his family and his community. The Ben B. Cheney Foundation strives to carry on his hopes and dreams by making grants and helping to improve the quality of life in the communities where the Cheney Lumber Company operated.
About the Discovery Museum: Located in Portland’s forested Washington Park, World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum invites visitors to examine forests and consider all the ways they impact our lives. Visitors get a bird’s-eye view of a northwest forest, explore society’s connection to the woods, and learn about the challenges and opportunities facing this critical natural resource. Through interactive and featured art exhibits, visitors can learn how the way forests are managed affects everyday lives and how they are crucial to the forestry conversation.

Forest Storytime
2025-09-03 11:30 - 12:00, 2025-10-01 11:30 - 12:00, 2025-11-05 11:30 - 12:00, 2025-12-03 11:30 - 12:00 | Discovery Museum, World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
On the first Wednesday of the month, join us in the Discovery Museum’s reading nook for Forest Storytime. A storytime dedicated to forests and forest-themed books that connect adults and children and engage the imagination. Coloring pages are also available.
This offering is included with museum admission.

Forest Crafts
2025-09-28 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-10-19 13:00 - 15:00, 2025-11-23 13:00 - 15:00 | Discovery Museum, World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Join us once a month and explore your creative nature here at World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum with our friend at RAD Creative. From Forests in a Bottle to paper snails, seed shares, and fairy houses – tap into your creative side and make something memorable.
This event is family-friendly, and crafts are geared toward kids who can independently use scissors, glue sticks, and basic school supplies or with parental assistance. All crafts vary in presentation. Adult supervision at all times is required. Craft supplies, tools, and guidance are included with museum admission and do not require pre-registration.

Author Storytime: When a Tree Falls w/ Kristen Pendreigh
2025-10-12 11:00 - 11:30 | Discovery Museum, World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Join us on Saturday, October 12 for a special storytime with author Kristen Pendreigh, who will share her picture book When a Tree Falls: Nurse Logs and Their Incredible Forest Power.
This beautifully illustrated story introduces children to the wonder of nurse logs—fallen trees that nurture new seedlings, shelter animals, and help forests thrive.
After the reading, Kristen will lead a fun hands-on craft activity inspired by the forest, perfect for kids to explore their creativity and curiosity about nature.

Forest Pub: Spooky Forest Tree Lore
2025-10-13 19:00 - 20:30 | McMenamins Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR, 97209, United States
Tickets are SOLD OUT!
👻 Join us this October for a hauntingly fun edition of Forest Pub! Cozy up with a drink and dive into the eerie side of forest folk stories. This special night blends seasonal vibes with woodland wonder—perfect for autumn.
Local folklore educator and author Corinne Boyer will share the darker side of European tree lore. People of the past held a healthy fear of the forest landscape, in part because of the presence of tree spirits. Corinne will examine human interactions with these spirits, focusing on three main categories believed to inhabit ancient trees and forests: Demons, Witches, and Spirits of the Dead. She will distinguish between these categories and share specific examples of trees with ill-omened reputations. In a journey through ancient woods, Corinne will also illuminate how folklore wisdom continues to be relevant today.
Join us as we explore this dark, strange, and evocative lore, where the enchanted and inspirited forest world was part of daily life.
Speaker:
Corinne Boyer is a folk herbalist, teacher, and author with a passion for traditions surrounding plants and folk magic. She has been teaching and writing full-time about the history and folklore of plants, folk medicine, and the plant traditions of northern and western Europe and North America since 2010. She has written over ten books and has published articles in multiple occult journals since 2015. www.maplemistwood.com

Evergreen
2025-10-22 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-10-23 19:30 - 21:30 | Miller Hall at the World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Rd., Portland, OR, 97221, United States
World Forestry Center is proud to partner with Third Angle New Music to celebrate the place 3A has called home for 40 years. This special performance features a string quartet and clarinet playing 3A-commissioned works inspired by the Pacific Northwest, paired with poetry recited by former Oregon Poet Laureate Kim Stafford.
The program includes The Evergreen by Caroline Shaw—a tribute to an elder tree on Swiikw (Galiano Island), British Columbia; Perpetual Spring by Dai Fujikura, capturing nature’s quiet, resilient force; Evening Prayer by Quinn Mason, a tranquil wish for better times; and a world première composition by 3A violist Wendy Richman.
Purchase your ticket here!
PROGRAM

Caroline Shaw / The Evergreen
Dai Fujikura / Perpetual Spring
Wendy Richman / New Work (Title TBD)
Quinn Mason / Evening Prayer
Poetry by Kim Stafford

ROSTER

Ling-Ling Huang, violin
Greg Ewer, violin
Wendy Richman, viola
Valdine Ritchie Mishkin, cello
James Shields, clarinet
Kim Stafford, poet

Say Hey! With Partners in Diversity
2025-11-05 17:30 - 21:00 | OR
We are collaborating with Partners in Diversity for their next Say Hey! event.
Say Hey! is the largest multi-cultural networking event in Oregon and southwest Washington. Each quarter, Partners in Diversity connects local businesses and community members with professionals of color who recently relocated to Oregon or southwest Washington. Recently relocated professionals of color (aka Honorees) are introduced during a special portion of the program. We help build community, deepen connections and create an environment where everyone is welcomed. Employers can leverage this program as an extension to your onboarding experiences for new staff of color. A study on workforce retention commissioned by Partners in Diversity and released in 2020 showed that having a strong, supportive community is an important element in retaining professionals of color in Oregon and southwest Washington. Say Hey! is free and open to professionals of color and allies.
Please note this is a 21+ event.

Forest Pub - Sasquatch: Indigenous Perspectives
2025-11-10 19:00 - 20:30 | McMenamins Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR, 97209, United States
Tickets available here!
Join World Forestry Center and OPB for a special film screening and conversation exploring Indigenous perspectives on Sasquatch.
In “Guardian of the Land,” a new film for OPB’s documentary series “Oregon Experience,” director LaRonn Katchia and community voices from the Nch'i-Wána (Columbia River) region share how Pacific Northwest tribes know Sasquatch not as a monster, but as a protector, a spiritual being that walks between the seen and unseen. The film challenges mainstream portrayals and uplifts a deeper Indigenous understanding of the world’s most famous cryptid.
While OPB's film was being created, a simultaneous Indigenous-led Sasquatch art exhibition was curated first at the High Desert Museum (Sensing Sasquatch, 2024) and then reimagined for World Forestry Center (Sasquatch: Ancestral Guardians, 2025-26).
After the 30-minute film screening, stay for a rich conversation with film producer LaRonn Katchia (Warm Springs/Wasco/Paiute) and Phillip Cash Cash (Nez Perce/Cayuse), lead advisor to both art exhibitions and featured voice in the film. Moderated by Stephanie Stewart Bailey, exhibition curator for Sasquatch: Ancestral Guardians, the discussion will connect themes from the film with World Forestry Center's current exhibition, offering audiences a chance to explore how cultural stories shape our relationships with the land and its guardians.

Free Day Series at the Discovery Museum
2025-11-30 10:00 - 16:00 | Discovery Museum, World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Explore the wonders of World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum at no cost today, from 10 am – 4 pm. Free Day Series at the Discovery Museum is brought to you by the Ben B. Cheney Foundation, in celebration of the Foundation’s 50th Anniversary and its enduring commitment to community.
We’re expanding our upcoming Free Day to celebrate Indigenous Heritage Month with a special lineup on November 30!
Featuring:

Several "Sasquatch: Ancestral Guardians" artists
Live mural painting
Holiday craft vendors featuring Sasquatch-themed items
Story Circles in the gallery exploring Sasquatch traditions

About the Ben B. Cheney Foundation: Businessman, entrepreneur, and sports enthusiast Ben B. Cheney lived life fully and richly, devoting himself to his work, his family and his community. The Ben B. Cheney Foundation strives to carry on his hopes and dreams by making grants and helping to improve the quality of life in the communities where the Cheney Lumber Company operated.
About the Discovery Museum: Located in Portland’s forested Washington Park, World Forestry Center’s Discovery Museum invites visitors to examine forests and consider all the ways they impact our lives. Visitors get a bird’s-eye view of a northwest forest, explore society’s connection to the woods, and learn about the challenges and opportunities facing this critical natural resource. Through interactive and featured art exhibits, visitors can learn how the way forests are managed affects everyday lives and how they are crucial to the forestry conversation.

Forest Pub - The Oregon Christmas Tree Story
2025-12-08 19:00 - 20:30 | McMenamins Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR, 97209, United States
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE!
Oregon grows more Christmas trees than any other state—but what does it take to cultivate the forests behind this festive tradition? Join OSU Extension’s Christmas Tree Specialist, Priya Rajarapu, and Trout Creek Farm Owner, Tom Norby, for an evening exploring the science, stories, and seasonal spirit of Oregon’s most iconic holiday export. From soil to celebration, we’ll trace how evergreens shape both our landscape and our sense of home.

Priya Rajarapu has joined Oregon State University as the state Christmas tree extension specialist in the College of Forestry. With expertise in insect pest adaptation on crops, she previously worked in the North Carolina State University Christmas tree genetics program. Rajarapu’s extension program provides educational information to Oregon Christmas tree growers and conducts research to address emerging industry issues.

Tom Norby has been growing Christmas trees in Corbett, Oregon, along with his wife Terri Barnes since 1998. He has taught classes on growing Christmas trees on numerous occasions. He is known for his green approaches to growing trees. He has been the long time president of the Oregon Christmas Tree Growers Association and immediate past president of the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association.

Doug Fir Day!
2025-12-13 10:00 - 16:00 | Discovery Museum, World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Celebrate Oregon’s state tree with a day of forest fun! Join us for Doug Fir Day, a family-friendly day of forest-inspired fun—make, learn, and play as we celebrate the Douglas-fir and the forests that connect us all.

Make your own wreath or swag with Oregon Women in Timber

Wreath Making reservations are sold out! There will be other activities!

DIY ornaments and crafts inspired by the mighty Douglas-fir
Doug-fir themed activities for all ages
S’mores and coffee available for purchase

Come together with friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate the forests that make Oregon home.

Forest Stories
2026-01-07 11:30 - 12:00, 2026-02-04 11:30 - 12:00, 2026-03-04 11:30 - 12:00, 2026-04-01 11:30 - 12:00 | Discovery Museum, World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
On the first Wednesday of the month, join us in the Discovery Museum’s reading nook for Forest Stories. A storytime dedicated to forests and forest-themed books that connect adults and children and engage the imagination. Coloring pages are also available.
This offering is included with museum admission.

Forest Pub: Bringing Fire Back to the Land
2026-01-12 19:00 - 20:30 | McMenamins Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR, 97209, United States
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
This month, we're teaming up with Columbia Land Trust and Lomakatsi Restoration Project for a powerful conversation about why fire belongs on our landscapes. From controlled and prescribed burns to traditional cultural burning, communities and land stewards are using fire to restore balance and build healthier, more resilient forests.
Join us as we explore the science, history, and human stories behind this essential work, and why it matters now more than ever.
Speakers:

Marko Bey is the Founder and Executive Director of Lomakatsi Restoration Project, a tribally affiliated, multicultural organization established in 1995 to restore ecosystems and support the sustainability of communities, cultures, and economies. He brings more than 38 years of experience in ecosystem restoration and workforce development across seven western states. Under his leadership, Lomakatsi has partnered with tribal and rural communities to implement restoration across thousands of acres of forest and miles of streams. Marko’s work integrates cultural knowledge, job creation, and long-term stewardship to advance resilient landscapes and communities.
Belinda Brown leads Lomakatsi’s Tribal Partnerships Program and serves as Chair of the Inter-Tribal Ecosystem Restoration Partnership. Her background includes business ownership, federal contracting, elected tribal leadership, nonprofit executive management, and intergovernmental affairs with tribal and rural communities. She works closely with Lomakatsi leadership to support forest and watershed restoration on tribal trust and ancestral lands. Belinda has played a key role in advancing youth and workforce development, including securing Indian Youth Service Corps designation and Registered Apprenticeship approval from the U.S. Department of Labor in 2025. She currently serves on the Lomakatsi Board of Directors and the Oregon Youth Works Governors Committee.
Lindsay Cornelius has spent more than 20 years managing and restoring forested habitats in the Columbia River Gorge and East Cascades. She has served as a Natural Area Manager for Columbia Land Trust and most recently as Manager of the East Cascades Oak Partnership. Lindsay holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Western Washington University and brings deep applied experience in oak and pine ecosystem restoration. Her work emphasizes collaborative conservation, long-term stewardship, and learning directly from the land.

Forest Crafts w/ Rad Creative Space
2026-01-25 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-02-22 11:00 - 13:00, 2026-03-29 11:00 - 13:00 | Discovery Museum, World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR, 97221, United States

Free Day at the Discovery Museum
2026-02-22 10:00 - 16:00 | Discovery Museum, World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Enjoy the Discovery Museum for free today as part of World Forestry Center’s Free Day Series celebrating our 60th anniversary. Explore interactive exhibits, take part in family-friendly activities, and connect with community partners through special programming that highlights forests, wildfire preparedness, and sustainability.
The Free Day Series is presented by Hampton Lumber.

Forest Pub Concert | Elderflora: Lifecycle of a Tree
2026-02-23 19:00 - 20:30 | McMenamins Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR, 97209, United States
TICKETS ON SALE HERE
Please note: the February Forest Pub ticket prices have been adjusted to help cover concert production and associated costs.
Majel Connery performs Elderflora, a song cycle tracing the life and death of a tree. Told from the tree’s perspective, Elderflora melds old sounds with modern technology, weaving hymns and madrigals into rich electronic soundscapes. Structured as a series of 10 musical portraits, each movement of Elderflora represents a significant moment in the life of the tree from birth by fire to death by lightning.
Elderflora premiered as a duo with cellist Felix Fan (Sigur Ros, David Lang, FLUX Quartet), appearing at the Seattle Symphony/Octave 9 and The Exploratorium (San Francisco). In 2025, Connery performed Elderflora in a special arrangement with violist Jon Vinocour (Chapel of the Chimes, Oakland). Upcoming performances of Elderflora include Chatter (ABQ/Santa Fe), Chatter (Portland), Berkeley, Half Moon Bay, the University of Oregon, and Duquesne University. Learn more about Majel Connery and Elderflora here https://www.majelconnery.com/elderflora
This program is presented in partnership with ChatterPDX, a local organization that gives audiences the weekly opportunity to hear a wide variety of classical chamber music and spoken word performed by local artists. Learn more at chatterpdx.org.

Special Forest Stories with Author Audrey Sauble
2026-03-25 11:30 - 12:00 | Discovery Museum, World Forestry Center, 4033 SW Canyon Road, Portland, OR, 97221, United States
Join us for a delightful Forest Stories event featuring Audrey Sauble, local Oregon author of the nature-inspired children’s book Acorn Party! This author storytime is included with museum admission — bring the whole family for an afternoon of storytelling, imagination, and forest fun.
📖 About the Storytime:
Audrey Sauble will read from her heartwarming picture book Acorn Party: A Pacific Northwest Counting Story, a charming tale that follows a slightly distracted squirrel and friends as they gather forest treasures, count along to ten, and learn about friendship and community in the woods. The book also includes bonus nature activities, fire safety tips, and a guide to the furry forest characters that populate Sauble’s beautifully illustrated story.
✍️ About the Author:
Audrey Sauble is a children’s author and science illustrator based in Oregon with a passion for exploring nature through picture books. In Acorn Party and her other works, she blends engaging storytelling with a love of the natural world to inspire young readers and families to explore, learn, and connect with the environment around them.
🌿 Perfect For:
Families, young readers, nature lovers, and anyone who enjoys stories about forests, friendship, and curious critters!

Forest Pub | Mass Timber, Made in Oregon
2026-03-30 19:00 - 20:30 | McMenamins Mission Theater, 1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR, 97209, United States
PURCHASE TICKETS HERE
Join our partners at the Port of Portland for a conversation about the Mass Timber and Housing Innovation Campus at Terminal 2. Alongside campus partners, they’ll explore how Oregon-grown materials, innovation, and collaboration are advancing next-generation construction, supporting local jobs, and helping address the region’s housing shortage—turning research and manufacturing into real-world solutions.
Photo credit: Marcus Kauffman, Oregon Dept. of Forestry

Speakers:

Emily Dawson is the founder of Single Widget, a practice dedicated to advancing a circular, waste free construction economy inspired by natural systems. A licensed architect, Emily designed the first cross laminated timber building constructed in Oregon in 2013 and has since helped lead innovation in mass timber design and construction. She researches, lectures, and writes about mass timber internationally while bringing collaborative thinking and careful technical detail to every project.

Kimberly Branam is Chief Trade and Economic Development Officer at the Port of Portland, where she oversees marine, navigation, commercial development, Portland Harbor, and economic development initiatives. Since joining the Port in 2024, she has focused on strengthening Oregon’s trade infrastructure and advancing projects such as the Mass Timber Housing and Innovation Campus at Terminal 2. Previously she served as Executive Director of Prosper Portland and led the City of Portland’s economic development strategy.

Thomas Robinson is the founder of LEVER Architecture, a research driven design practice with offices in Portland and Los Angeles. The firm is widely recognized for material innovation and pioneering work with cross laminated timber. LEVER’s projects span affordable housing, academic, corporate, and arts spaces. Alongside its built work, the firm develops and tests next generation building systems and sustainable tools through an active research program supported by more than $3 million in grants.

Mike Raley is Director of the Oregon Acoustic Research Laboratory and an acoustician with more than 17 years of experience in architectural acoustics. His work focuses on laboratory testing of building assemblies and improving sound isolation in floors, walls, and ceilings. Mike helps translate research data into practical guidance for architects, engineers, and manufacturers. He also contributes to national testing standards and coordinates interlaboratory studies for ASTM E90 and ASTM E492 across accredited labs in the United States and Canada.
