Forest Pub

Join us for a pint and learn all about our forests!

Step into the world of our forests at Forest Pub, a monthly program brought to you in partnership with McMenamins History at the Mission Theater in NW Portland. Every second Monday, we bring in dynamic guest speakers to explore how forests touch every part of our lives — from the natural wonders we depend on to the creativity, culture, and cutting-edge solutions they inspire. Whether it’s science, stories, or the latest breakthroughs in innovations, Forest Pub connects the dots between our forests and our world. 🌲🍻

  • 🕕 Doors open at 6:00 pm
  • 🎤 Program starts at 7:00 pm
  • 🎟️ Tickets are on a sliding scale – $10-20
  • 📍 Location: Mission Theater 1624 NW Glisan St, Portland, OR 97209

Upcoming Forest Pubs

December 8 at 7:00 pm: The Oregon Christmas Tree Story

  • 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, to explore the science, stories, and seasonal spirit of Oregon’s most iconic holiday export.
  • Learn more here.
  • Purchase tickets here.

January 12 at 7:00 pm: Bringing Fire Back to the Land

  • We are partnering with The Columbia Land Trust to discuss the importance of bringing fire back to the land through controlled, prescribed, and cultural burning as a way to manage our forests. 
  • More information coming soon!

February 23 at 7:00 pm: Elderflora: Lifecycle of a Tree

  • Majery Connery performs Elderflora is a song cycle on the life and death of a tree. Narrated from the tree’s perspective, Elderflora invites us on a journey inside the mind of nature, experiencing the tree’s thoughts and feelings in vivid detail.
  • More information coming soon!

Forest Pubs that are currently brewing: 

  • February 23, 2026 <– Please note the change in date!
  • March 30, 2026 <– Please note the change in date!
  • April 13, 2026
  • May 11, 2026

Past Forest Pubs

February 10 at 7:00 pm: Indigenous Land Management in the Willamette Valley with speaker David Lewis

  • Reconstructing traditional environments and lifeways in the Pacific Northwest, David G. Lewis, PhD, will share his research about tribal ways of knowing and managing the valleys and forests of the Willamette. His newest book will be available to purchase, Tribal Histories of the Willamette Valley.

March 10 at 7:00 pm: PDX Airport & Mass Timber

  • Join our friends from the Port of Portland and project partners to hear stories behind the design, construction, and sourcing of the new main terminal at Portland International Airport. Utilizing Mass Timber and locally sourced timber, PDX has gained international recognition for its innovation and first-of-its-kind approach to a large-scale civic project. 

April 14 at 7:00 pm: Walking Trees with All Science No Fiction and the Oregon Field Guide by OPB

  • Our forests are walking, but should they be running? Join us for an evening exploring shifting forests and the migration of tree species due to climate change. OPB’s All Science No Fiction host Jes Burns will moderate a panel discussion with leading experts and scientists in these cutting-edge studies. 

May 12 at 7:00 pm: Reading Tree Rings with the OSU Tree Ring Lab

  • What can the rings of trees tell us? These slices of history tell us about the ecological and anthropological history the tree and forest faced: wildfires, droughts, floods, infestations, growth, and damage. Our friends from the Oregon State University’s Tree Ring Lab and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Lab will teach us how to read tree rings. 

June 9 at 7:00 pm: Stewarding Forest Park: How the Largest Urban Park Came to Be

  • Forest Park is more than just trees and trails—it’s a living, breathing biodiversity sanctuary that has relied on community care for generations to come. Join the Forest Park Conservancy and local experts for a conversation about the park’s origins, the efforts to preserve public access, and how that legacy continues to shape stewardship today.

July 14 at 7:00 pm: How Lumberjacks Shaped the Identity of Portland Soccer

  • Join Timber Jim and Timber Joey, the two legendary figures of the Portland Timbers Football Club, for a heartfelt conversation about how they helped shape the identity and spirit of soccer in Portland. From chainsaw stunts to the birth of the Victory Log tradition, Timber Jim and Timber Joey have used their role to spread a message of community, love, and connection. Featuring personal stories and historic photos, this fireside chat is a celebration of our forests, the legacy of love, and the rooted spirit that unites the Timbers.

August 11 at 7:00 pm: Wine & Wildfire

  • Join us for an evening of insight and conversation as we dive into the complex and sensitive relationship between wildfire and wine. Learn about the science behind smoke impacts, what it means for winemakers and consumers, and how the industry is adapting through research, innovation, and resilience.
  • Pre-Event Wine Tasting A pre-program experience includes tastings by Abacela Winery, Willamette Valley Vineyards, and McMenamins Edgefield Winery.

October 13 at 7:00 pm: Spooky Forest Folklore

  • 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 fall.
  • Learn more here.

November 10 at 7:00 pm: Sasquatch: Indigenous Perspectives

  • Join us for a screening of OPB’s new film, “Guardian of the Land,” and a conversation with producer LaRonn Katchia and advisor Phillip Cash Cash, as we explore the connections between the film’s themes and WFC’s exhibition, “Sasquatch: Ancestral Guardians.”
  • Learn more here.