Belton Outreach Center

As education programs and the public’s use of the Hopkins Demonstration Forest near Beavercreek has grown over the years, the need for a Forestry and Natural Resources Outreach Center near the entrance to the property became a greater priority. Planning for the Center began in 2017. In November 2021 the project launched with ground clearing at the potential building site. Ground-breaking occurred in January 2022. Workers on the Center included contractors and subcontractors—plus a wonderful cadre of volunteers. The Center was mostly completed by March 2023. The public grand opening was held on Sunday, April 2, 2023 READ MORE and attended by more than 75 Forests Forever, Inc. and Hopkins Demonstration Forest supporters.

The Center is designed like a modern residential-style home, utilizing forest products manufactured in our region—as well as, products from trees harvested at Hopkins—and demonstrates the best in an effective use of wood in construction and maximizing energy efficiencies. The Center has two overnight motel-style rooms for visitors—something not available at Hopkins in the past. These accommodations are perfect for teachers, college and university students, researchers and visitors coming from afar to our forest for education events and activities, field work experiences, and research projects.

Final touches to the Belton Outreach Center have been ongoing since April including delivery of overnight room furniture, construction of a very special Conference Room table utilizing an historic elm tree in Oregon City, landscaping, and building a carport. All projects are expected to be completed by the end of 2023. A Dedication Event was held on Sunday, July 9 to formally name the Belton Outreach Center, recognizing the Belton Family from Sandy, their major financial contribution to the Center, the their contributions of husband and father, John Belton, prominent woodland owner in Clackamas County. READ MORE

The new Belton Forestry and Natural Resources Outreach Center represents a critical next step forward for Forests Forever and our goal: to provide greater capacity for growing educational and research programs, plus better on-site management for facilities, and serving the public in our forest.

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Last Updated: November 28, 2023

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Development Progress

Water line going in for septic hook up

Roof now complete, front view

New windows

Window installation, 2 volunteers at work

Volunteers in action

Cedar siding installed

Cedar siding installed, full view

Cedar siding installed, close full view

Stubbing in plumbing

Shower install in residence

Siding 90% done; stack to the left for milling trim and battens

Preparations for roofing installation

Roof now complete, west and back view

Axe and trunk with men milling wood in background

Milling cedar siding; January through June, 2022

Milling cedar siding; January through June, 2022

Milling cedar siding; January through June, 2022

Hoisting panel #1

Rolling, rolling, rolling

Laying up panel

Beginning metal roofing installation

Bob and Mike rolling sealant on cedar siding

Roof installation progress; 7-1-22

Don and Pete setting a load of freshly treated siding to dry

Pete Wille cutting siding boards to length

Don bringing in the next load

Using roller to apply sealer on wooden boards

Crew--rollin', rollin', rollin'; Bob Kahl, Mike Piazza, Don Chase, Mark Triebwasser

8-Initial wrapping on east end of Center and back porch area

Initial wrapping on eat end of Center and back porch area

Crew putting on wood sealer

Wrapping the building with vapor barrier

Walls and roofing trusses in place; early June, 2022

Boards and batten, cut to length, sealed and ready to stack and dry before installation; Outreach Center in background

new kitchen cabinets with instaled dishwasher

Machine on gravel around red dirt in forest

Building site excavating; late January, 2022

Foundation being laid in clearing in forest

Concrete Pour; late March through early April

Excavating site of former modular home; January 31st, 2022

Flooring; mid through late April

Flooring; mid through late April

Flooring; mid through late April

Floor joists all in

Foundation complete

Initial walls going up; May 20th, 2022

Initial walls going up; May 20th, 2022

Initial walls going up; May 20th, 2022

Initial walls going up; May 20th, 2022

Walls and roofing trusses in place; early June, 2022

Concrete Pour; late March through early April

Framing and walls; late May through early June, 2022

Framing and walls; late May through early June, 2022

Framing and walls; late May through early June, 2022

Mobile Home Demo Prep for Removal; November 13th, 2021

Mobile Home Demo Prep for Removal; November 13th, 2021

Mobile Home Demo Prep for Removal; November 13th, 2021

Mobile Home Demo Prep for Removal; November 13th, 2021

construction worker leveling a drying concrete pad outside, looking toward the building

construction worker leveling a drying concrete pad outside

concrete pad drying outside in the sun with two construction workers

concrete pad being leveled by a construction worker

concrete drying in newly constructed room

Pouring concrete

Walls and roof trusses progress; May 27th, 2022

Framing and walls; late May through early June, 2022

Our Valued Donors

RSG Forest Products, Inc. in two shades of green

The following businesses, organizations, and individuals have made contributions and pledges to the new Forestry and Natural Resources Outreach Center now in the final stages of construction at the Hopkins Demonstration Forest. We truly appreciate this outpouring of support! Last updated: November 27, 2023

Cash Donations and Pledges

RSG Forest Products
Carol, Arthur, and Stephen Belton
Walt and Pat Garvin and Family
Hampton Lumber
Ken and Glenda Everett
Monte and Ilene Waldorf
Weyerhaeuser Company
Elizabeth Howley Waldman
Port Blakely
Integrity Medical Evaluations
Pacific Fibre Products
Starker Forests, Inc.
Shibley Family
Mike and Connie Bondi
Clackamas County Farm Forestry
Mike and Jan Daly
Mike and Cindy Piazza
Cindy Lampa
Pam and Greg Hayden
John Martinson, Jr.
Lyna Low and Frank Wille
Dan Green
Scott Hanson
Ralph and Merry Schmidt
Vohs Family Trust
John and Kathy Matzka
Linda Butts
Catherine Dunlap
Peter and Jennifer Matzka
Bob and Marianne Kahl
Artina Cunning and John Hilsinger
Karin Nealon
The Zenn Family
Diane Kelso and Peter Hoffman
Jeremy and Romalia Shibley
Native Fish Society, Inc.
Jeanne and Jeff Becker
Kevin Lodeen
Lofthus Forestry Services
Loren and Sylvia Bowman
Gregory Cline
Francis and Roberta Everett
Jean McCloskey
Jack and Jean Carter
Elaine Wilcox
Gary Bush
Tom and June Lenihan
Tom and Julie Handy
Tim Dahl
Doug and Stella Shannon
Harmon Family LLC
Bryan O’Byrne
Russ and Kim Minten
Kent and Melanie Hempel
Mike Haasken
Robin Poppino-Kuntz
Richard Schawbauer
Bev Koch

Total for all Cash Donations and Pledges: $451,619

Donated Materials and Supplies
RSG Forest Products (Framing lumber)
Freres Lumber (Plywood)
Forests Forever, Inc. (Western Redcedar Siding)

Total for all Donated Materials and Supplies: $33,246

Grand Totals for all Donations: $484,684