Hispanic Community-Forest Connections: Portland Area

Background:

The Forest Service is interested in providing better outreach to under-represented groups as part of our mission to meet the needs of present and future generations. National forests are mandated to engage in planning efforts to identify emerging management issues and ensure that forests meet the needs of diverse publics. The Forest Planning Rule stipulates that national forest units must include the best available science about biophysical and socio-economic conditions and engage traditionally under-represented groups, such as minority groups and low income residents. The Latino population in the Northwest is rapidly growing, and we know that a substantial portion of forest users are Latinos.  Yet, few Latinos have participated in forest planning and little is known about the community’s priorities, values, and visions for public lands. 

One way to learn about people’s connections to the landscape is through Human Ecology Mapping (HEM), a method used throughout the Northwest to understand how diverse stakeholders value and use public lands.  The approach uses maps as a way for people to identify and discuss places that are important, how these areas are being used, and the benefits derived from them. They also are used to identify areas that groups desire to use, but currently avoid.  This information informs Forest Service decision-making to better serve the public.

Project Overview:

The project engages Hispanic residents from the Portland metro area in conversations about forest uses, benefits, and management priorities in the Gifford Pinchot and Mt. Hood national forests and the surrounding area.  Workshops conducted in Spanish were held in 2018, and participants used maps to describe places they visit, forest activities they engage in, aspects of the forest they value, and benefits they derive from public lands. They also used an activity board to note activities they engage in, and identify barriers to activities in the forest.. 

Project Goals: 

Explore the diversity of forest connections among Latino residents

Build social capacity among community leaders and forest officials

Expand awareness of forest policies and practices

Generate spatial data about forest connections to inform planning 

Outcomes: 

The project enhances exposure of Hispanic community leaders to the US Forest Service.  Project results will provide decision support to the Gifford Pinchot and Mt. Hood National Forests.  The final report will illustrate patterns of resource use, ecosystem benefits, special places, and resource management priorities, as well as areas of potential concern, and will be published in a research journal and disseminated to wider audiences interested in inclusive strategies to public lands management.

PROJECT PARTICIPANTS

David Banis, PSU Geography, Center for Spatial Analysis and Research

Lee Cerveny, US Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station

Matt Helmer, US Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station

Rebecca McLain, PSU Institute for Sustainable Solutions, PSU Geography Affiliated Faculty

Jasmin Mendez, ViveNW

Juan Sepulveda Figuereo, PSU MS Anthropology

PROJECT PARTNERS

Vive Northwest - Jorge Guzman, Mackenzie Martinz 

This project was funded by the US Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station.