Connecting Communities to Oregon’s State Forests
As part of SVP Portland, the Encore Fellows Program provides a source of expertise for nonprofit organizations, helps individuals (Fellows) transition from their careers into social-purpose work, and gives corporations a new way to positively impact their communities. Encore Fellows who have retired from a career are matched with host nonprofit organizations based on their passions, skills, and experience.
At the Tillamook Forest Center, nestled in the lush green landscape of the Tillamook State Forest just off of OR6, you can climb to the top of a forest fire lookout or learn about art and science of sustainable forest management. This unique forest-based learning center is one of many programs funded by the State Forests Trust of Oregon.
The Trust, initially named Tillamook Heritage Forest Trust, was founded in 1999 and works to enhance the public’s access to, understanding of, and enjoyment of Oregon’s State Forest lands. In 2021 it expanded its scope to include recreation and wildfire restoration across all state forests.
Tom Diamond did seasonal work with the US Forest Service in his college days, so he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do his Encore Fellowship with an established environmental organization. “In March, '22, I began the next chapter in my career,” says Tom. “After forty years of product planning, product marketing, and engineering program management in the semiconductor industry, I was fortunate to give back to a cause that means as much to me as my long career in tech: connecting communities to Oregon's state forests through the State Forests Trust of Oregon.”
During his Fellowship, Tom worked with the Executive Director to draft a strategic plan, which included a case statement for the trust, a fundraising plan, a board development plan, and an evolution of policies and practices. “This was a deeply enriching project that took me in all different directions,” he explained.
Tom’s Fellowship evolved, allowing him to do more marketing and storytelling. He assumed the Marketing Committee Chair role where he oversaw social media and fundraising efforts, and he did everything from hiring a photographer, to copywriting, to facilitating mission and vision exercises with the Trust Board. “During my Fellowship, we recognized a need to fill out the photo library with more diverse park users, and I found Diego Diaz, who was able to take an endearing set of photographs that highlight the diversity of people who use the State Forests. It was a labor of love.” Tom was also inspired by some of the stories he was able to tell in his “Stories of Your Forests” series, like the deep history of forest management practices on the Grand Ronde reservation, and realization of one man’s dream to construct a mountain biking trail system in the Larch Mountain area.
“State Forests Trust of Oregon was a good fit for my Fellowship because I got to engage with the challenges of actual working forests,” says Tom. “I trusted myself and was able to bring immense experience to the role. At the end of the day, my success in my Fellowship was my ability to work with people. I felt like my input was valuable and the work was rewarding.”
